Middle English Dictionary Entry
bilen v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | bilen v.(1) Also billen. |
| Etymology | From bile beak, mouth. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To strike with the beak, jab, peck; (b) to 'mouth' or blow (a horn).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)150b/a : Þe sparewe..waitiþ wiþ swalowis and bitiþ and bileþ forto haue nestis of..swalowis.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)36 : Bollyn [vr. byllen]..wythe the bylle as byrdys: Rostro.
b
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)139/163 : 'Blow thy horne!'..'My horne to bylle [vrr. tilt, blowe] I will not leese [vr. lette].'