Middle English Dictionary Entry
bīld(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bīld(e n. Also buld(e, bielde, beld(e, beylde. |
| Etymology | A blend of bōld building & bīlden build. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. bold n.
1.
(a) A building; (b) a group of buildings, as a town or castle; also fig.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.71 : Buldes [L ædificia] wiþ vice arches and fontes, in þe manere of Rome.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.297 : He echede þe citee of Rome wiþ fayre buldes [vrr. boldes, boldyng; Higd.(2): edificacions].
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)727 : Quen such þer cnoken on þe bylde [rime: chylde], Tyt schal hem men þe ȝate vnpynne.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)1260 : Out þe tresour to take, Tytus commaundyþ, Doun bete þe bilde [vrr. bolde, beldynge, bielde], brenne hit in-to grounde.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1338 : He..sees his bild [Dub: beylde] voidid.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3137 : Þare fand he palais vp piȝt & many proud hames..Þa bildis [Dub: beldes] he bedis þam to brin.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.1113 : I se som men..make grete bildes, Areyse grete towres and hye walles.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)963 : Bryng me to þat bygly bylde [rime: mylde] And let me se þy blysful bor.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1080 : Þar-in fyndis him þe freke fyftene Burghes..Of ilka bild [Dub: belde]..barred was þe ȝatis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3106 : In þis bild [Dub: beld], þe burȝe of Elanda.
2.
Edification [cp. belde n.].
Associated quotations
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)119/19 : Of verray god had þai no bilde, Þarfore with fals þai war bigilde.