Middle English Dictionary Entry

stille adv.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) Silently, noiselessly, without a sound; without speaking; ~ as ston; beren ~, refl. to bear oneself silently, keep still; (b) lien (setten, sitten, stonden) ~, to lie (sit, stand) silently; setten doun also ~ as a ston, refl. seat oneself silently as a stone; sitten ~ as (the) ston; stonden as ~ as ston; stonden ~ so ston; (c) quietly, softly, not loudly; with little noise, with a low sound; in a low voice; (d) in proverbs.
2.
(a) Motionlessly, without moving; (b) lien ~, to lie motionlessly, lie still; also, remain in place; lien ~ as (a, ani) ston; sitten ~, sit motionlessly, sit still; also, remain in a place; sitten as ~ as ston; sitten ~ as ani ston; stonden ~, stand motionlessly, stand still; also, halt [quot. a1382, 1st]; also, stay in a place, remain (in a place); stonden ~ as (ani, the) ston; (c) with imperceptible movement, without apparent motion; rennen ~, of water: to flow without visible current or disturbance of the surface; stonden ~, of a stream, body of water, flood water: stand without apparent movement or disturbance of the surface; also, remain in a place without receding; (d) inactively; in peace and quiet, at rest; lien ~, of an object: to lie undisturbed; of virtue: lie dormant.
3.
Meekly, submissively; mildly, peaceably; also, humbly.
4.
(a) Secretly, covertly; privately, in private; smilen ~, to smile inwardly, smile to oneself; (b) ~ and (or) loude, loude and (or, other) ~, privately and (or) publicly, secretly and (or) openly, publicly and (or) privately, openly and (or) secretly; also, at all times, at any time; under any or all circumstances; loude ne ~ [see also loude adv. 1.(c), (d)].
5.
Continually, constantly, uninterruptedly; always, ever; yet, still; up to this time; from this time forward; alwei ~, always; abiden (dwellen) ~, to dwell continuously; also, remain, be left; remain (in a state); lien ~, continue; remain; stonden ~, exist, be; also, continue; endure, last.
6.
Tightly, securely, fast; stonden ~, fig. to stand fast, stand firmly.
7.