Middle English Dictionary Entry
squēlen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | squēlen v. Also swele, swellen, (N) suel(l)en; ppl. squeling(e, etc. & squelonde. |
| Etymology | Imitative; cp. OI skvala. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Of a child: to squall, cry, scream; ppl. squeling, screaming; ppl. squeled as adj.: screaming; --?error for pr.ppl.
Associated quotations
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Abbess (Phys-E)p.164 : In cloutes bi the gate scho fande A yong maydenchild suelande [vr. spreuland; Vrn: weopand].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1344 : A new born barn lay in þe croppe..þar him thoght it lay suelland [Frf: squelande; Göt: squeland; Trin-C: squelonde].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5626 : Þe kings doghter..sagh þe vessel on þe flodd..A squeland [Trin-C: squelynge; Arms: squelyng; Frf: squeled] child þer-in sco fand.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)68a/a : Vagio: to swele [Hrl 1738: swellyn], wepe [Pep: to wepe as a chyld].