Middle English Dictionary Entry
bitter(e adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | bitter(e adv. Also biter(e, bittre. |
| Etymology | OE bitere, bit(t)re. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. bitterli.
1.
(a) (Die) in torment; (repent) sorely; (pay for) dearly; (b) (punish, wound) severely, (afflict) painfully; (c) fiercely (angry).
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)41 : Ȝe hit..sculen mid uuele bitter abuggen.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)16382 : He solde bitere abugge al his stronge gile.
- ?c1335 Man bihold (Hrl 913)32 : Hire me, man..For loue of þe biter deiend; Loke me pinis!
- ?c1335 Þe grace of godde (Hrl 913)152 : Þou salt hit rew bitter and sore.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)17.220 : The biterour [vr. bitturlokur] he shal a-bygge.
b
- c1225 St.Juliana (Roy 17.A.27)14/112 : Þu schalt beon ibeaten mid besmes swa bitter, þet tu [etc.].
- c1230 *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)53a : Eauer se hit biteð bittrure, se hire likeð betere.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)1482 : Rymenhild feol yswoȝe..Hit smot to hornes herte So bitere, þat hit smerte.
- c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch)2687 : He hadde wonded him biter & sore.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)20.27 : Spiritus fortitudinis..shal..bete men ouer bitter [vrr. ful bitterli, ouer-betterli; C: bittere] and somme of hem to litel.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)30302 : Cadwadlan..iwærð him abolȝe bitter ane swiðe [Otho: biterliche swiþe].
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1092 : For be his chere he sagh him wrath, þat was won to be bitter braith.