Middle English Dictionary Entry
bihōlden v.
Entry Info
Forms | bihōlden v. Also bihalden, -helden, -hielde. Forms: sg. 3 bihōldeth, (N) -hāldeth, (early) -halt, (S) -hēldeth; p. bihẹ̄ld; -heold, (SW) -huld; -hield, (SE) -hild; ppl. bihōlde(n, -hālden, -hēlde(n. |
Etymology | OE behealdan, behaldan; behēold; behealden, behalden. In ME, the range of meanings corresp. largely to that of L rēspiciō. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) To fix or keep one's eyes (on sth.), look (at), gaze (upon); (b) to look (in a certain direction), ~ after, look for or after (sth.); (c) to take a look; look, look on, look around.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)16/214 : Ȝef þu bihaldest [vr. bihaldes] ofte & stikelunge on ei mon.
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)76/64 : Wel ȝerne he bi-hul þer-on.
- a1300(c1250) Floris (Vit D.3)77/102 : On hem neltou nouȝht bi helde.
- a1300 I syke (Dgb 2)4 : Hi sike..wan hic..bi-holde a-pon þe tre.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)161 : So sone so þe stiward on Iosep bihuld.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)1084 : He ros up and bi-heold on þe ymage an heiȝ.
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)716 : Sche biheld opon þat frely fode.
- ?1316 SMChron.(Roy 12.C.12)899 : Opon þe king he gan bi hold.
- ?a1425(?c1350) NHom.(3) Pass.(RwlPoet 175)799 : Both by-held with drery mode Vn-to þair maister.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)140 : Euereche behuld on oþer tho, bot ech man held hym stille.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Ph.(Manly-Rickert)C.191 : Virginius gan vp on the cherl biholde.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)4094 : He..ȝede yn-to þe felde, And aftyr hys bere faste behelde.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17686 : Bi-hald on me, þis ilk es i.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)810 : Wyth boffetez watz hys face flayn, þat watz so fayr on to byholde.
- c1430(c1380) Chaucer PF (Benson-Robinson)18 : It happede me for to beholde Upon a bok.
- c1440(c1350) Octav.(1) (Thrn)145/1292 : Aythere oþer byhelde [vr. behelde].
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)673 : Abraham vnto hys son beheld.
- a1456(a1402) *Trev.Nicod.(Add 16165)104b : Dred þe right nought, hit am I; beholde on me!
b
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)133 : Bihald..up to heouene!
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)743 : Heo..biheold efter help up toward heouene.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1855 : Heo biheold efter [L intuitu sequebatur] hwil ha aa mahte.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)42/34 : Heo biheold on heh up.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)63a : Bihald [Nero: bihold]..bi esten.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)94/15 : & biholdeð oluft & asquint.
- c1300 SLeg.Brendan (LdMisc 108)269 : Seint Brendan bi-heold a-boute, and axede ȝwat it were.
- c1300 SLeg.Kenelm (LdMisc 108)158 : After is maister he bi-heold, and ne saiȝ nouȝt ȝware he was.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5615 : Þe king bi huld aboute & þe traytour ysay.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8146 : As hii wende toward antioche, hii bihulde an hey.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)3250 : Tristrem gan bi held To meriadok.
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)1060 : Sir Amis biheld vp wiþ his siȝt.
- c1330 Orfeo (Auch)387 : He gan bihold about al, And seiȝe [etc.].
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)48 : To bi-hold in at þe hole.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)224 : Þanne bi-held he a-boute.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2426 : & bi-huld ful busili a-boute on eche a side.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)496 : Egrelich he be-huld aboute & lokede on þe kniȝte.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))3 Esd.4.33 : The king and the purprid men beheelden either in to other.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.75 : Theatres..to stonde and sytte ynne and byholde aboute.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)prol.13 : As I beo-heold [B: bihelde] in-to þe Est.
- c1390 Marie Mayden (Vrn)91 : To heiȝ heuene what be-holde ȝe here?
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fkl.(Manly-Rickert)F.863 : Thanne wolde she..pitously in to the see biholde.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12365 : Þe folk stod and be-hild [Frf: be-helde] o-ferr.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)prol.14 : Esteward ich byhulde after þe sonne.
- a1400 Pep.Gosp.(Pep 2498)51/6 : And biheelde towardes heuene and kneled adoun.
- (a1402) Trev.DCur.(Hrl 1900)64/15 : No man þat putteþ his hond to þe plowe & by-holdeþ bacward is worþi þe kyngdom of God.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 7.55 : He bihelde vppe into heuen ande sawe þo ioye of God.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)828 : In the sond, as he byheld adoun, He sey the steppes brode of a lyoun.
- c1450(?c1400) Wycl.Elucid.(StJ-C G.25)16 : Y wole not þat þou biholde behynde þee.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)138 : Which made hire eyen biholde downward.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)155/97 : Beholde All Aboute!
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.724 : This goode man..loked out, beholdyng euerywhere.
c
- a1150(c1125) Vsp.D.Hom.Fest.Virg.(Vsp D.14)27/116 : Hwæt oðre halgen behealdeð and hercnigeð on Marie wisen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25774 : And bihald [Otho: be-hold] ȝeorne, ȝif þu miht a-finden oht of þan feonden.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26073 : Arður at-stod and biheold.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26622 : An hundred monnen þe þer sculden bi-halden [Otho: bi-holde] and ȝif heo onȝiten mihten.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)211 : To listen oðer to bihelden.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)14/189 : Nu bihalt te alde feond, & sið þe i þis mihte stonde.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)138 : Bihold, and tow may se.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1800 : Bihoold..Se how they blede.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.771 : In trust of Cristes lawe..behold and se.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2026 : His midelst [son]..Bihild [Frf: be-helde; Göt: Biheld] and sagh his fader schame.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)7.15 : Bihald [L ecce], he kyneld vnrightwisnesse.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.378 : He shal come here so selde; What fors were it, though al the town byhelde?
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)3735 : Biholde and see How he is fair.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)39/523 : Thise floodis ar gone, fader, behold.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)140/749 : Now we go, thou behold.
1b.
To look or gaze at (sth.); observe or watch (sth.) with one's eyes, scrutinize; -- (a) with obj.; (b) with clause; (c) fair to biholden, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- a1200(?OE) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)147 : Ure helende biheold ierusalemes bureh.
- a1200(?c1175) PMor.(Trin-C B.14.52)288 : Eaðe he muȝen ben sore ofdrad þe sullen hes bihealde [vrr. bihelde, bihialde, biholde, bihielde].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)47 : He heom leofliche bi-heold [Otho: bi-helde].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25851 : Heo..sæt & biheold [Otho: bi-hald] æuere ænne burinæsse.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26321 : To bi-halden þeos þreo cnihtes balde.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)29 : Þe wimman..bihalt hire sheawere.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)35 : Hie openeden..his eien to bihealden þe forbodene appel.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)740 : Heo biheolden hire hokerliche alle.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1250 : Euch an biheold oðer as heo bidweolet weren.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)28/256 : Se unimete feier, þet te engles ne beoð neauer ful on him to bihalden.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)57b : & te feond bihalt [L aspicit] tis gomen.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1325 : On ape mai a boc bi halde [vr. biholde], An leues wenden & eft folde.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)365 : Ai ge [the spider] it [the web] biholdeð, til ðat ðer fleges faren & fallen ðerinne.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)512 : Ðe hunte haueð biholden ðis.
- a1300 I syke (Dgb 2)21 : Wan hic him bi-holde wyt hey and herte boþe.
- a1300 Leuedy for þare (Jes-O 29)27 : Þo þi sone to heouene steyh, þu hit by-heolde myd eye swete.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)33 : Iacob bihalt his sones; of hem he was bliþe.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)601 : An hund him gan bihelde [vr. biholde], þat spac wordes belde.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)87/197 : Daris þanne floriz bihalt, And for more þane fol him halt.
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)97/515 : Clarice biheold [vr. beheld] al þis.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2148 : Þanne bihelden he him faste.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1139 : Oure lord..þe gywes byhelde echon.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)1241 : He byheold him ffaste.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)8631 : Þe king..bihuld [vr. bihelde] þe folc þat þer stod.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2496 : For loue ich oþer bi halt; Her non miȝt of oþer fille.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.414 : What man on hem his chiere caste And hem behield, he was..into a Ston Forschape.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)118a/a : Þerfore astronomers biholdiþ most þis sterre.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)143b/b : Somme [bees] aspyeþ comynge of ravayne and somme byholdeþ concours and metynge of dewes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8103 : Bi-halden [vrr. be-halden, Biholden] vs inogh has þou.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)709-11 : Either beholdeþ [vr. by-huld] other ful hendely..þe Queene beholdeþ [vrr. by-huld, by-holdes] Alisaunder ofte.
- a1400(?a1350) Siege Troy(1) (Eg 2862)1531 : Achilles stondeþ and beholdeþ [vrr. by-huld, be-halt] hur ryȝt.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.648 : Every nyght..He stood, the brighte moone to byholde.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)579 : Littel lykyng suld a man haf þan For to behald a faire woman.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)921 : This bacheler stod biholdyng The daunce.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2485 : Hir fairhede, Whom thou biheelde with so good will.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)8879 : These other faire ladyes..haue be-holded alle oure dedes.
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)20 : Beholdynge þat blessed visage.
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)176 : Asqwynt she biheeld me.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)146/23 : I haue beholdyn þe same pas.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)277/174 : Se ȝe not on of hese dysciplys, how he be-heldyth ȝou þan.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)13/2 : All the lordes wente to beholde the stone and the swerd.
b
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)520 : Him seluen sit, olon bihalt weðer his gin him out biwalt.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)313 : A, Rowlande! by-haulde nowe whatt I see.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)23/6 : Ladyes and jantillwomen, for to beholde who dud beste and thereon to gyff a jugemente.
c
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)15663 : Cafarrnaum bitacneþþ..scone tun & faȝȝerr to bihaldenn.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)71 : Þu art lodlich to bi-holde.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1363 : Lene he wex..Hise eyen holwe, and grisly to biholde.
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)49/4 : It is ful gret pytee to beholde.
1c.
To catch sight of or see (sth.); -- (a) with obj.; (b) with clause.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.418 : Heer may men feste and roialtee biholde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.574 : As a man that sodeinli A gost behelde, so fare I.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.5441 : Sche..drouh hire to the water brinke, Wher sche behield the See at large.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Magd.(Phys-E)17 : Symond..Biheld this womman lufli fare.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)787 : Sone quen sco þis frutte biheild [vr. biheld], Sco desirred it.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13746 : Iesus..Biheld [vr. be-helded] þis womman stondand þar.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)1.177 : Folk..That hir behelden in hir blake wede.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.730 : Ful rewfully she loked upon Troie, Biheld the toures heigh and ek the halles.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)67b/b : He may noght se his owne blood, ne þat he byholde [L inspicere] no rede þinges.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2373 : Whan that Progne hath this thing beholde, No word she spak.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)111/7 : Sche behelde a crucyfyx, was petowsly poyntyd & lamentabyl to be-heldyn.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1520 : While that y beheld thys syghte.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)1601 : All folke had hele that hym be held, so was he fayr.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)103/30 : All peple that beholdith or herith this present writyng.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)14/3 : When syre Ector beheld the swerd, he retorned ageyne.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.Creed (Trin-C B.14.52)23 : Muchel oðer folc mid eien bihielden, hwu he upwende.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)28a : He biheold hu his deore deciples fluhen alle from him.
- a1400(?a1325) Bonav.Medit.(1) (Hrl 1701)959 : She behylde hyt, how hyt was ybroke.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)1317 : Þis holy mayde..by-hulte, How hurre clothus lye..Among þe gledys alle by-swulte.
1d.
To be able to see, have eyesight.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1856 : The wyn can make a krepel sterte..It makth a blind man to behelde [rime: unwelde].
2a.
To turn one's thoughts (to sth.), pay attention; look (after), be solicitous (about), protect; -- with prep. phrase, obj., or alone.
Associated quotations
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)124/12 : Beheald me, & onscyne þine yfelæ þoncæs.
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)4/4 : Bihald & bei þin eare!
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)61/655 : Ihesu..ne warp þu me nawt ut of þin ehsihðe; bihald me ant help me!
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)20/1 : Lauerd, Bihald me & help me!
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)392 : Lord, mi liif me bihold..Astow art lord so fre, Þou lete me neuer spille.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.33.18 : Beholdeth [WB(2): biholde ȝe; L respicite], for not to me alone I trauailede.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)5.2 : Bihald vnto my bede steuene!
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)60.1 : Vnto mi bede bihald þou.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.4.5 : The Lord bihelde to Abel and to his ȝiftis; to Caym..he bihelde [L respexit] not.
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)47/6 : Sche beheeld not to þe besines of hir sister.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)17a/a : Cosidero: to byholde.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)35a/a : Intuor: by holde.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)220 : Despise nouȝt my bede; byhalde to me and here me!
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)198 : Be-holde nowe besylye to euery poynte.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)876 : Our lord iesus Es euer bihaldand vntil vs.
- a1450 Ben.Rule(2) (Vsp A.25)1673 : A souerayn aw forto be-hald ȝapli vnto ȝong & ald.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)165/193 : Behalde, howe he alleggis oure law.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)378/7 : Lorde, byholde not to my wickednesse..but to þyne..mercyfulle ȝiftes.
- c1450(?a1400) Quatref.Love (Add 31042)122 : Behalde to thi Cosyn, consayuede hase to-ȝere Elezebeth in hir [e]lde.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)prol.87 : Be-helde, here is thin labour.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)195/2 : Resoun wole þat þis fadir of housholde biholde..into his loue, which he schulde haue to his meyne.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)112/29 : If þou wille vndertake bataill, ordeyne þe house of þe mone..& Mercury byholdant deuoutly & debonerly.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)96/14 : My god, beholde into myn helþe!
2b.
(a) To observe, consider, contemplate; ~ inwardli; (b) to perceive; comprehend, understand; (c) to see (as in a dream or one's imagination).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)88/21-22 : Uton nu bihealden þa wunderlice swiftnesse þare sawlæ.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)23b : Bihald [Nero: bihold] inward..& ne sech þu me nawt wið ute þin heorte.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.3068 : I se and biholde youre grete humylitee.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.35 : The thing so open is at ye, That every man it mai beholde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.2434 : Godd beholt a mannes thoght.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)47/15 : A man muste biholde, wher þat þe boon be kutt al atwo.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2239 : Whan þat Cassandra With-Inne hir silfe considered & beheld [etc.].
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.265 : He gan right inwardly Byholden hire and loken on hire face.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)625 : If þow wille..ententyfly se And by-hald what comes fra þe.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.6.239 : God, whan he hath byholden from the hye tour of his purveaunce, he knoweth [etc.].
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.2.49 : The devyne purveaunce..that alle thingis byholdeth and seeth fro eterne.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.4.171 : And the man hymself, ootherweys wit byholdeth hym, and ootherweys ymaginacioun, and otherweyes resoun, and ootherweies intelligence.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.5.86 : The devyne intelligence byholdeth or knoweth thingis to comen.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.5.110 : Ther schal resoun wel seen that, that it ne mai nat byholden in itself.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)5.pr.6.164 : Albeit so that ye seen and byholden the ton and the tothir togidre, yit natheles ye demen and discerne [etc.].
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)5a/a : To byholde [L intueri], in how moche þat some þinges acorden to þise.
- ?a1450 Cmb.Indulgences (Cmb Ff.1.14)418 : He þat deuoutly behaldeth þe Armes of þe passyone of Our Lorde haþe x yere..of perdone.
- c1450(c1375) Chaucer Anel.(Benson-Robinson)80 : Yong was this quene..and of such fairenesse, That Nature had a joye her to behelde [rime: elde].
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)1268c : And inwardly behylden him.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)142/27-28 : In sum oþire derk maner, not esili..to be biholden.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)229/3 : God byhelde þe mekenes of his owne maydyn.
- a1500 Earth(3) (Rwl C.307)25 : Beholde, þou erthe opon erthe, what worship þow hase.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)7 : Þe lauerd sainte powel bihield..þis wreche woreld and sagh þat mast mannen ladden here lif on sunnen.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)67a : Hwen he bihalt [L videt], hu lutel þe muchele lauerd makede him in wið a poure meidenes breoste.
- c1300 SLeg.Becket (LdMisc 108)766 : Al þis, ho-so riȝt bi-halt, þov bi-ginnest forth to drawe.
- c1390 Cato(1) (Vrn)386 : Ende and beginnynge of þi werk, Boþe þou hem bi-holde.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.639 : Bihoold and se..the seconde heste..'Take nat my name in ydel or amys'.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Th.(Manly-Rickert)B.head. : Bihoold the murye wordes of the hoost to Chaucer.
- c1390 Hilton ML (Vrn)286 : Be-hald inwardli here holi liuynge!
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.840 : If we beholde thilke astat Which whilom was..Of knyhthode.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)20b/a : Þe soule biholdiþ þe liknes of bodiliche þinges þat beþ absent.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)290 : Behald þe sune, and þou mai se.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19944 : Godd..Bihaldes [vr. Biholdeþ] noght mans persun, Ne he ne be-halds queþer it be..thral or fre.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1406 : So thursteth ay myn herte to byholde Youre beute, that my lif unnethe I holde.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)557 : Þe bygynnyng of man..Es vile and wreched to behalde.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)7192 : And all with Antecrist they holden, As men may in the book biholden.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.1.53 : Whanne thow hast fully byhoolden thilke false goodes.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)249/29 : Qwenche in me al fleschly lust, & in alle þo þat I haue beholdyn þi blisful body in.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)13/14 : Byhaldez þe fegure of Alexander, and puttez oute of ȝour hertes drede of alle ȝour enemys.
- c1475 Rwl.Prov.(Rwl D.328)p.120 : Quisquid agas sapienter & respice finem: What-soeuer thu do, be-holde þe ynde.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2228 : I behield tofore my sihte..Min oghne deth thurgh here ymage.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)5.1252 : Thus yn my drem Criseyde have I byholde.
- c1440 Treat.Prayer (Thrn)299 : With brynnynge of lufe..heuene at byhalde.
3.
(a) To hold (a belief); adhere (to), be devoted (to); (b) to observe (a feast day).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.360 : If men behielden the vertus That Crist in Erthe taghte here.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)22177 : Þat in his trout wil behold, Sal plente haf o siluer and gold.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)9483 : Nou has him sathanas in wald, To quas seruis straityly he bi-held [Vsp: he him eild].
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)1.384 : Man þat biholden [vr. holden] bileve of Crist.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.243 : Þe Romaynes..byhelde þilke dayes and wrouȝt nouȝt þilke dayes.
4.
(a) To have content or meaning; mean, signify; ~ litel, nought, mean little, nothing; be insignificant, be meaningless; (b) to concern, be pertinent, have to do with (sth.); be of concern to (sb.); (c) to respect or admire (sth. or sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1131 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1128 : He be bead folc vt to Ierusalem, & þa for mid him..micel folc..þeah hit litel be helde.
- c1175(?OE) HRood (Bod 343)26/30 : Sæȝ us hwæt ðæt word bihealde.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)18006 : Firrst birrþ uss lokenn whatt bihallt & whatt itt wile uss tacnenn.
- a1225 Lamb.Hom.Pater N.(Lamb 487)65/203 : Þe pater noster bi-halt me noht, bute ic þis habbe in mi þoht.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)16/29 : Hwet bihalt, meiden, þat tu ne buest to me?
b
- ?c1250 PMor.(Eg 613(1))308 : Al þat me rat and singð before godes borde, al it hanged and bi-halt bi þisse twam worde.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.157 : It is byholdinge to hym [L spectat ad eum] þat, if he se an innocent perische, þat he goo þere agayne.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)111a/a : Capricornus..biholdiþ þe kneen & ȝeueþ smale leggis and drie body.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)33a/a : Vniuersale processe conserneþ or biholdeþ þe life, þat þe materie be noȝt multiplied.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)46b/a : Idropisis is, als mych as biholdeþ [*Ch.(2): longeþ; L spectat] to a Cirurgien, Aposteme & inflacioun of þe wombe.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)135b/b : Þing þat conserneþ i. biholdeþ [L quod concernit] perticuler gouernance, is locale cure.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)45 : Ech of hem [gouernauncis] whiche biholden the making..of the said sacramentis.
c
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)117 : Ther dide Arthur merveillouse dedes of armes, that gretly he was beholden.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)130 : Theire armour was gretly be-holde.
5.
ben biholde(n, to be in duty bound, be under obligation, be indebted; -- often with inf. phrase, or with to, onto phrase.
Associated quotations
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.1608 : Cillenus..his tale tolde..as he was beholde.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4175 : A king is holden overal To Pite, bot in special To hem wher he is most beholde.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1547 : I wolde yowre wylnyng worche at my myȝt, As I am hyȝly bihalden.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1842 : I am derely to yow biholde..To be your trwe seruaunt.
- (c1438) MKempe B (Add 61823)231/29 : Hir dowtyr-in-lawe, þe whech was most bowndyn & byholdyn to a comfortyd hir.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)3203 : He seith he wer be-hold On to ȝow whil þat his lyf myth hold.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)28 : Beholdyn or bowndyn: obligor, teneor.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)11/24 : Doughter, ye are moche beholde to serue God.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)108/11 : Eueriche fader and moder is beholde to praie for her children.
- (1459) Will Fastolf in Nrf.Archaeol.2228 : To pray for..ye soulys of his wife, his fadir, and modir..yat he was beholde to in perpetuite.
- (a1460) DSPhilos.(Helm)193/25 : I am beholden to the for the goode meetes and drynkes that I had in thyne hous.
- (?1461) Paston (Gairdner)4.12 : Ye be meche be held on to Tomas Grene.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)75/25 : I am muche beholdynge unto hym.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1175/3-4 : My lady, the quene, hath oftyntymes ben gretely beholdyn unto sir Launcelot.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)152 : Þat the same officers shulde thynke them selff by hold vnto the kynge ffor þer offices.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)610/10 : Her baylifs were be-holde to pay to hym.
- 1485(a1470) Malory Wks.(Caxton:Vinaver)15/6 : Ye are the man in the world that I am most beholdyng to.
- a1500(a1450) Parton.(1) (Add 35288)8403 : There is no man on lyve þat may be More be-holde to any creature Then I am to you.
6.
Of things: to face (sth., or toward sth.).
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))SSol.7.4 : The tour of Liban that beholdith [L respicit] aȝen Damasch.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)148a/a : Þe mone not byholdyng [L respiciente] saturne, ne goyng not fro hym.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)280 : The see that biholdith to the west.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)546 : That the comoun peple of the Iewis schulde haue the comaundementis of Moyses tablis writun..in the wallis of her hallis, biholding aȝens her mete table.