Middle English Dictionary Entry
bihọ̄n, bihō̆ngen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | bihọ̄n, bihō̆ngen v. Forms: p.pl. behẹ̄̆ngen; ppl. bihō̆nge(n, -hā̆ngen, -hō̆nged, -hā̆nged, -henged. |
| Etymology | OE behōn; ppl. behongen, -hangen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. hon, hongen, & hengen.
1.
(a) To drape or deck out (a hall or street, as with tapestry or other ornaments); (b) to clothe or dress (sb.) sumptuously.
Associated quotations
a
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)89 : Þat burh folc..bihengen it [þe hege strete] mid palmes.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)757 : He dooþ his temples alle bihonge wiþ baudekynes.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5621 : Ich hit wulle freoiȝen mid gode ræue bi-hon [Otho: cloþi].
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.7489 : With gret richesse he him behongeth, As it to such a lord belongeth.
2.
Ppl. (a) Of a street, a hall: draped, bedecked (as with tapestry or other ornaments); (b) of a person: attired, decked out; ~ mid stele, clad in armor; ~ wiþ belles, hung or covered with bells; ~ with her, covered with long hair; (c) of hair: draped or flowing.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3637 : Al weren þe hallen bihongen [Otho: bi-honge] mid pellen.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)3539 : Eueri strete Was bihonged..wiþ..riche cloþ.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)6.1839 : With freisshe thinges..The noble toun was al behonged.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)201 : Al þe cite was byhonge [vr. by hong] wiþ riche samytes.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)832 : Of Chambris & of hallis..Was noon..so wele be-hongit..As was [etc.].
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)137/25 : They wente into the shippe all thre, and founde hit rychely behanged with cloth of sylke.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)951 : Bihenngedd all wiþþ belless.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3565 : Cinhtes [!]..heȝe and riche, bi-hongen mid ræue.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)23804 : Heȝe here-kempen, bihonged [Otho: bi-honge] mid stelen.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)24465 : Fiftene biscopes..heo weoren bi-hangen alle mid palle.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26660 : Baldere Brutten, mid burnen bihonged [Otho: mid stele bi-honge].
- a1500(?a1325) Otuel & R (Fil)1731 : Fot-men, that gryslyche were of chere; with her thay war be-hong and berdys swythe long.
c
- ?a1300 Maximian (Dgb 86)267 : Min heien so grei so glas, Min her so feir bihonge.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)372 : Þe chaumbre was myd cloþes of golde Byhenged.
Note: Additional quote(s)