Middle English Dictionary Entry
bihẹ̄ve adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | bihẹ̄ve adj. Also behef(e, behieve. |
| Etymology | OE behēfe |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. bihove.
1.
Of things: needed; beneficial; appropriate, fitting; -- (a) alone; (b) with preceding noun or pron.; (c) with following to phrase.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(c1125) Vsp.D.Hom.Fest.Virg.(Vsp D.14)15/12 : Martha, þu eart bisig and gedrefd on feale þingan, Ac anlypig þing is behefe.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)107/28 : Hersumnesse..is swiðe behieue on godes huse.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)6146 : Þer hadde ben miche mischef, No had Merlin seyd a conseil bi hef.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)7 : Þat we..do þat ure sowle and ure lichawe be biheue.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)9 : Sech after þing þe ðe beð biheue.
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)141/30 : We ne witen hweðer we bidden ðat godd he ȝecweme and us biheue.
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)40/345 : Ichulle warnen þe biforen, nis hit nawt þe biheue.
- c1390 I wolde witen (Vrn)71 : Mony maters men don meue, Sechen heor wittes hou and why; But Godes Merci vs alle [is] bi-heue.
c
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.MQuad.(Hrl 6258B)6/8 : He byð behefe to ðan nyþeran dæle þas lichaman.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)47a : Spearewe haueð ȝet a cunde þet is bi heue [L oportunam] ancre..þet is þe fallinde uuel.