Middle English Dictionary Entry
trodden v.
Entry Info
| Forms | trodden v. Also trodde; p.ppl. itrodded. |
| Etymology | From trod n. or trod(de, p.ppl. of trēden v.; the p.pl. form trodedon, now in trēden v. 3.(b), may also belong here. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To squeeze (a wine press) with the feet; also, crush (sb.) beneath the feet;—used fig.; (b) fig. to track down (a weakness); also, follow (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1333) Herebert What ys he (Add 46919)9-11,22 : Þe wrynge ich habbe y-trodded al mysulf on, And of al monkunde ne was non oþer won; Ich hoem habbe y-trodded in wreþe and in grome..Ich habbe y-trodded þe uolk in wrethe and in grome.
b
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)103/32 : Betere is þe ðet troddeð wel & ofsecheð wel ut his owune feblesce þen ðe þet meteð hu heih is ðe heouene.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)173/12 : Mi leof..leapeð oðe hulles, þet is, totret ham..scheaweð in ham his owune treden þet me trodde him in ham.