Middle English Dictionary Entry
umbe adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | umbe adj. Also umben, humbe, (error) unben. |
| Etymology | From OE ymb, ymbe adv. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. aboute(n adv. as adj.
1.
In phrase: ben ~, to be busy or eager (to do sth.); also, with adv.: be busy or eager (about sth.) [quot. c1230, last].
Associated quotations
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)4/24 : Þis is babilones folc, þe deofles here of helle, þet is umbe forte leaden, in to þe worldes þeowdom, Syones dohter.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)16/9 : Helle-hundes…habbet bitrummet me…ah þu, hehe healent, beo umbe me to helpen.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)116/15 : Sum he is umben [Nero: abuten] to makien se swiðe fleon monne froure þet ha falleð i deadlich sar þet is accidie.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)171/27 : Ha beoð umben [Cai: unben] to fordon godd seolf.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)221/6 : Ȝef ȝe findeð þet ȝe doð alswa as ȝe redeð, þonckið godd…ȝef ȝe ne doð nawt…beoð umben þeronuuen [Nero: þer abuten] þet ȝe hit bet halden efter ower mihte.
- a1275 On leome (Trin-C B.14.39)99 : Ber hure herrinde…To þine sone þat…he us þeue [read: yeue] strenþe…to scenden þene vichit þat his humbe day & nicst To gabben us wid sunne.