Middle English Dictionary Entry
blasfēmen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | blasfēmen v. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To utter blasphemy against (God, Christ, etc.); -- with or without obj.; (b) theol. to speak or act in a manner offering insult to God, commit blasphemy.
Associated quotations
a
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)30/9 : Þet ha..zuereþ and blasfemeþ aye god and his halȝen.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))1 Tim.1.20 : That thei lerne for to not blaspheme.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)37 : Thei that sweren bi the membris of Crist..blasfemen Crist ful orribli and al the holi Trinite.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Lev.24.16 : Whether he were cyteseyn or pilgrym that blasfemeth the name of the Lord, thurȝ deth dye he.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.1301 : Constantyn ordeyned a decre, That who that euere..blasffemed the name of Crist Iesu, Be doom sholde haue of deth a pleyn issu.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)504 : To oure goddys she nyl do seruyse, But hem blasphemyth in wundyr wyse.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)330 : Lete mennys tungis be kutt awey, for that bi hem summen blasphemen God.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)82/12 : When any thyng displesid hym, onone he wolde blasfeme þe name of God.
- a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066)381 : Then the soule began to blasefleme and seide: 'waried & Cursed be they that me gate..Criste and his modire, and all þe seyntes of heuyn!'
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)Jude 1.8 : Thes that defoulen..the flesch..blasfemen mageste.
- (1395) Wycl.37 Concl.(Tit D.1)18 : If thou fille thee ouir mesure with drunkenesse of wyn..hou manie euere preisyngis thi tunge sowneth, the lif blasfemith.
- a1425(?c1384) Wycl.Church (Bod 788)349 : Þei [friars] blasfemen in Crist and seien þat he beggide.
- ?c1430 Wycl.PSacr.(Corp-C 296)228 : Ypocritis þat þus blasphemen God.
- c1450 Capgr.Rome (Bod 423)95 : Þis lawe..þat who so euyr blasphemed þe name of crist schuld be slayn. Blaspheme is..whan men sey of crist oþirwise þan treuth, as summe heretikes.
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)60/32 : Þo seiers or affermers which in her seiyng blasfemen þe hiȝ wijsdom of god.
- a1500(?1382) Wycl.Wks.Mercy (NC 95)170 : Ȝif freres by gabbingis blasfeme upon Crist.
2.
To vilify, slander (sb.).
Associated quotations
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.2183 : This olde cherl..Blasphemed hath oure hooly couent eke.
- a1400 12 PTrib.(1) (Roy 17.B.17)48/6 : Þo blasphemand folk are angerid, when þai se hom þat þai blaspheme noght answere.