Middle English Dictionary Entry
bī n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bī n. Also by(e, bii, bij. |
| Etymology | OE bȳ, from ON (cp. OI bȳ-r beside bö-r, Dan. & Swed. by); cp. OE bū. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A dwelling; farm, village, town; bi-milne, town mill. [Common in place names and field names of the East Midland and the North (the Danelaw). See A. H. Smith PNElem. 1.66, & the thorp, by, tun map in EPNSoc. 14 (East Riding Yks).]
Associated quotations
- (1298) Close R.Edw.I221 : le Bymilne.
- c1330(?a1300) Guy(2) (Auch)p.384 : Balder bern was non in bi.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13290 : Siþen he com in til a bi [vrr. bii, bij].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)15194 : Tolus forth þat ilk man Right in to þe bi [Göt: þe bij].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17804 : In mi cite of aramathi..wit man spec þai o þat bi.
- (1456) Act Ripon in Sur.Soc.6460 : Juxta Byemyllne.
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)7208 : Ye shall be lord off all togeddyre, Bothe of bowre and bye!