Middle English Dictionary Entry
stenchen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | stenchen v. Also stenche, stinchen. |
| Etymology | OE stencan |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. astenchen v., stinken v.
1.
To have or emit an offensive smell, stink; also fig.
Associated quotations
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8401 : Þe ssrewen..gret plente of hei nome & sette it aȝen þe cristinemen afure..Þat þe smoke þer of ssolde boþe stenche & blende.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)67.7 : God..ladeþ out..hem þat stenchen [L exasperant], which þat wonien in biriels.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)313a/a : Þere þay styncheþ, þe stynche of oon is nouȝt feled whanne oon stynche swoloweþ anoþer.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)169a/b : It..makeþ ane olde sore þat stincheþ for to sauer wele.
- a1450 Liber Cophonis (Add 34111)19/22 : To make fast þe teþe in þe heued and to do awey þe ache of hem ȝif þat þei stenche noght.