Middle English Dictionary Entry
sprēven v.
Entry Info
| Forms | sprēven v. Also spreve, sprefe. |
| Etymology | ?Blend of MScot. sprēthe v. & ME rēven v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To commit spoliation or robbery, plunder; plunder or ravage (a country), rob (sb.); take possession of (sth.), take away, steal.
Associated quotations
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)26207 : Kyng cadwalon had lefte him þare..Þe north contre to sla and sprefe And nankins godes with þam to lefe.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)26598 : Þe contres he bigan to brin, To spreue alle þat he fande þarin.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)p.384 : He spreued on cees flod, With strengh on ce nane him gaine stode..He dide spreue and þase despoil þat soght vnto þe apostoile..He slogh þe domesman and schireues And alle þase godes to him he spreues..Na man goodes fra þam we spreue.