Middle English Dictionary Entry
tī̆tillen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | tī̆tillen v. Also titil(le. |
| Etymology | Perh. imitative, but also cp. OF titiller. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. tutelen v.
1.
(a) To whisper; (b) ~ fithelen, ?to putter about, fuss.
Associated quotations
a
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)557 : Qwyst! pesse! I xall go to hys ere and tytyll þerin.
b
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)140/4196 : Y shal loke þat no man come þe while ye must be betyne..To titille fitille thus alday.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 ?Scrope Ribot First Monks (Lamb 192)84/33 : Sum of them notyfyed of that and tyteld [L titubabant], the whiche had not seyn ne had not herd Cryst Iesus to haue baptyzed any man.
Note: Ed.: "'tyteld' 3 pl. pa. 'were perplexed'."
Note: ?New sense, or modify gloss.
Note: Poss. gloss.'To be in a pother, to be doubtful.'