Middle English Dictionary Entry
tọ̄̆ayẹ̄ns prep.
Entry Info
| Forms | tọ̄̆ayẹ̄ns prep. Also toayans, -aȝens, (early) -aȝeines. |
| Etymology | From tọ̄̆yẹ̄nes prep. assimilated to ayẹ̄n(e)s prep. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) In defense against (sth.); (b) in moral opposition to (God, a commandment); (c) in the direction of (sth.), facing.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)38/20 : Nawt ane ower eare, ah ower ehþurhsperreð to aȝeines idel speche.
b
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)6/24 : Yef he zuereþ uals be his wytinde, he him uorzuerþ and deþ to ayans þise heste.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)10/10 : To-ayens þise heste doþ þo þet misziggeþ guode men behinde ham be hire wytinde.
- (c1384) WBible(1) Prol.Luke(1) (Dc 369(2))4.141 : So Poul fulfillinge schulde ȝyue to the dedis of the apostlis, whom longe to aȝens God, that was Goddis wille, kikynge the Lord hadde chose.
c
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)158/10 : Nim þanne ane mirour and zete hine to-ayens an oþren.