Middle English Dictionary Entry
bī̆sten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | bī̆sten v. Also besten, busten. |
| Etymology | ?Cp. OE byrst damage, berstan v.; also cp. OI beysta, ODan. bösta. WS *bȳstan, A *bēstan, cogn. with OI beysta, could give ME u , i in SW, e elsewhere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To buffet (sb.), pummel, flog, beat; also without obj., of waves: to dash, rage.
Associated quotations
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)28/455 : He..Beateð þe & busteð þe, as his ibohte þrel.
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)20/181 : Þu maht..speden nawiht, þah þu me buste ant beate.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1844 : Þe wauus best [Göt; bett; Trin-C: beten] on ilk side.
- a1425 St.Alex.(2) (LdMisc 463)53/331 : Ofte þei him bete and buste, þat þe lord þer-of niste.
- a1450 Dial.Bern.& V.(2) (Cmb Dd.1.1)214 : Þe Jewis..My dere sone tobetin and biste [rime: fiste].