Middle English Dictionary Entry
bī̆sne n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bī̆sne n. Also bisen. Pl. bīsnen, bisnes, bisens. |
| Etymology | OE bȳsen, bīsen, acc. bȳs(e)ne. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. fore-bisne.
1.
(a) An example or model of good or proper behavior; yeven, sellen, setten ~, set an example; taken ~, accept as a model worth imitating; (b) an instructive parable or fable.
Associated quotations
a
- c1175(OE) Bod.Hom.Dom.Quadr.(Bod 343)44/22 : Nis þæt an þæt he wordum lærde ða wæccan, ac eac swylce mid his aȝene bisne he ȝetrymede.
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)102/21 : [Crist] us þa bysene onstealde þæt we sceolon yfelræ mannæ..niþæs ðuedelice forberæn.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)5313 : & ta þu follȝhesst opennliȝ Þe Laferrd Cristess bisne, þatt forr mannkinne lufe swallt..o rode.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)9068 : Þatt dide he forr he wollde swa Uss alle ȝifenn bisne.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)10949 : & follȝhenn aȝȝ..þa gode bisness alle Þat he..maȝȝ findenn i þe cullfre.
- a1225(OE) Lamb.Hom.VA (Lamb 487)109 : Nu ȝif þe wisa mon bið butan gode wercan, þe þe oðer monnen scolde sullan gode bisne [etc.].
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)5 : In swa muchele edmodnesse godalmihti..sette us bisne.
- a1250 HMaid.(Tit D.18)39/670 : Meokeschipe of heorte, after þe bisne of þat eadi meiden..marie, godes moder.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) John Bapt.(Phys-E)p.43 : Bisen sal ye take, This werdes welth for to forsak.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3513 : O blesing mai man bisin [Göt: bisening; Frf, Trin-C: ensaumple] take Bi childer of þis ysaac.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)1027 : Yhit þe bodys of þe world, in þair kynde, Shewes us for bisens [?read: forbisens] to haf in mynde How we suld serve God in our kynde.
b
- c1175(?OE) Bod.Hom.(Bod 343)130/7 : Be þam we wullæð eow sume bysne sæcgen.
- c1225(?c1200) SWard (Bod 34)2/4 : Ure lauerd i þe godspel teacheð us þurh a bisne, hu we ahen wearliche to biwiten us seoluen wið þe unwiht of helle.
2.
(a) A recorded or authentic instance (of noble conduct); (b) nimen to ~, accept (a book) as authoritative; (c) first ~, prototype, original; (d) a (poor) specimen (used insultingly).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)4249 : Coð hit wes wide..beoð on beoken feole feld bisnen.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)71 : Al swa þe boc spekeð, þe he to bisne inom.
c
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)ded.100 : Himm bidde icc þatt het write rihht..affterr þatt itt iss Uppo þiss firrste bisne.
d
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)21/18 : Þou, as a littill bisne & a dwerghe..desyrand to ouer-passe þi littillnesse.
3.
(a) A prophetic warning, a prophecy; (b) taken ~, accept as a warning or deterrent.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)25144 : Sibeli..sette hit on bocke, uolke to bisne [Otho: bysne], þat þreo kes sculden buȝen ut of Brutlonde [etc.].
b
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)26/8 : Thare-fore the es better amend þe of thi mysededis, þan we take swilke wreke appon the, þat oþer men take bisne þareby.