Middle English Dictionary Entry
tiffen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | tiffen v. Also tif(fe, tife, (N) tuf; p.ppl. tiffed(e, etc. & (N) tiffet, -it, tift. |
| Etymology | OF tifer, tiffer. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. atiffen v., tiflen v.(1), tiften v.
1.
(a) To dress up (oneself, one's body), make beautiful, adorn; make up (one's face); arrange (a hairstyle); also, arrange the hair on (one's head); (b) to clothe (sb.) so as to prevent identification, disguise; ppl. tiffed as adj., of words: euphemistic, deceptive.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)7622 : Maidens tiffen hem in pride.
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)37.301/64 : Þis wommon..Is in muchel worldes welþe and pride, wiþ muchel bisynes..heo haþ tiffet hire bodi.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3201 : Ȝyf þou tyfyst þe ouer proudly, Ouer mesure on þy body, Swyche synne ys nat þe leste.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3206 : Be nat proud of þy croket Yn þe cherche to tyfe [vr. tyffe] and set.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3223 : Heuedys tyfed wyþ grete pryde with heer, and hornes syde..For swych pryde are wymmen forlore.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)3310 : Þerfor hyt ys grete doute wymmen to tyfe here hedys aboute.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)4075 : Þeo maydenes lokyn in þe glas For to tyffen [Ld: atyffen] heore fas.
- a1425 NHom.in NM 73 (Ashm 42)p.207 : Tuff.
- a1440 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (Hrl 3913)p.162 : Tiffede [Hrl 874: Iesus cristes spouse þat atiffeþ hire bitokneþ baptesme & shrift clere].
- ?a1450 NHom.in NM 73 (Hnt HM 129)p.207 : Tyffit.
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3183 : Knew þow nouȝt..þat I was tiffed in atir when I wend fro þe?
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)11763 : Yn tyfed [vr. tyffede] wurdys þat slyked are, Semeþ þy synnes þat þey noȝt were.
2.
To dawdle; refl. occupy oneself with superficial things.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Ecclus.32.15 : In the hour of rising tyff thou thee [WB(2): tifle thee; L te trices] not.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)493 : Tyffyn, werke ydylly, idem quod tymeryn.
3.
(a) To prepare (gear), arrange; prepare or furnish (a ship); also, construct (an idol) out of wood, carve [last quot.]; redi tiffed, prepared, made ready; of a person: ready, properly positioned; (b) to make (sb.) mentally ready, educate, train.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1761 : Quen al was tift was þar na bide, þe stormes ras on ilka side.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5089 : Mas your gere al redi tift, Your seckes sal i fil o gift.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12864 : Quen he sagh iesu redi tift, Quakand vp his hand he lift, And þar him was vr lauerd crist Of his aun seruand baptist.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24807 : Wit triffor [read: trissor] son his scipp was tift O presaundes mani and riche gift.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1129 : Þay busken vp bilyue blonkkez to sadel, Tyffen he[r] takles, trussen her males.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4465 : Ȝe haue tildid..ȝour trouthles gods..sum of liȝt siluir, And sum ere tiffid all of tree & sum of tyn pured.
b
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)25101 : In þiskin trouth agh þou be tift þat wil her cum to rightwis scrif.