Middle English Dictionary Entry
biwrīen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | biwrīen v. Also biwreo, -wro. Forms: p. sg. bewreah; ppl. biwrīen, -wriȝe(n, -wriȝed, -wreȝe, -wreyen. |
| Etymology | OE bewrēon, sg. 3 -wrīgþ, ppl. -wrigen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. wrīen.
1.
(a) To cover or clothe (sb.); (b) to cover (sth. with blood); (c) to cover (sth.) up, conceal.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(c1125) Vsp.D.Hom.Fest.Virg.(Vsp D.14)30/137 : Ðonne he hnacod wæs, heo hine bewreah mid lichame and mid reafe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)5366 : Ha leopen on heore feire hors, bi-wriȝen [Otho: bi-wreȝe] mid fæire palle.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)5177 : Al his body he by wryeþ.
b
- c1330(?c1300) Reinbrun (Auch)p.669 : Þe face wiþ blod bewriȝe.
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) PSanct.(Vrn)321/176 : Al his bodi wiþ blood biwriȝed.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)202/1596h : Many an haweberke there was to-hewyn, And Many a face with blode be-wreyen.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7840 : Longen ræftres..þer stoden biwriȝen mid þon flode [Otho: hi-hud in þan flode].
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)117/22 : He..scheaweð him to ou flesliche & licamliche iðe messe, biwrien [Corp-C: biwrixlet; L tectum et velatum] þauh..under breades heouwe.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)673 : Ȝif muþ wiþute mai biwro [Jes-O: bi wreo] þat me þe horte noȝt niso.