Middle English Dictionary Entry
vīsen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | vīsen v. Also vise, (N) vuise; sg.3 vises, (N) wises; p. visud. |
| Etymology | From three sources: (1) OF viser for senses 1. & perh. 2.(a) & (b); (2) ME avīsen v. for senses 2. & perh. 1. & 3.(a); (3) ME dēvīsen v. for senses 3.(b) & perh. 2. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To see (sth.), look upon; regard (sb.) favorably; to ~ (on, to look on, i.e., to the sight, in appearance.
Associated quotations
- a1400 Rolle Encom.Jesu (Hrl 1022)189 : Þis es glorious Ioy…& if we vise it, we sal be fyld euer with-outen lessyng.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)91 : Amang gude men sall þu noȝt lende To make non offryng here, For gode hase vised þam ylkane, & frute of þe comes þer ryght nane.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2928 : Þe wessell to vyse on was verraly þe same, And all þe sale of a sute set full of stanes.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3700 : Þare fand he vessale of value to vyse out of nombre.
2.
(a) Refl. To take thought, consider; also, consider (that sth. not be done, how one should do sth.); ~ bet, ponder further, reconsider;
(b) ?to consider necessary;—used in as clause; ben vised, take counsel, accept advice;
(c) to resolve (to do sth.), purpose.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330 Degare (Auch)542 : Þe King me haþ ismiten þrie, And i ne touchede him nowt ȝete; Nou i schal vise [vr. auyse] me bette.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)33/23 : Therfor vuise the þatten, when þou erte att hyeste of þi brawnchis, at þai be nott cutt in sonder & þou fall down.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)2.386 : Euere me thenketh, whan I vise [vr. a-vyse] me weel: If it so streyt were, as ye seyn, wyth you…Ye shulde haue neyther feeld ne plow In no pees.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)751 : Alexander…Wysez [Ashm: Be-seȝis] hym how he say wald or he aunswer ȝheldes.
b
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)126 : Anec…takis to him…oþire necessari notis as nedis to his craftis, To sike salmary dangell as him self vyses.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)130/35 : Thre thyngis thow moste beholde…the thyrde, that ye can be viside [alt. to: aviside] and see the Services and meritis of thy Subiectes.
c
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3167 : He vetailles his biernez…And one the vicounte londes he visez to lenge.
3.
(a) To contrive (sth.), devise, fashion;
(b) to equip (oneself), outfit.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 Whon Men beoþ (Vrn)14 : Leef we may be liht Wiþ al þe murþes þat men may vise To Reuele wiþ þis buirdes briht.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4686 : Ȝe vise ȝow þar-of [gold] vessell for vanyte & pride.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5651 : þe names of all þe prouynces & þe places þat he was prince ouire…ware visid all in verser [read: verses] in variant lettirs.
b
- a1500 Bevis (Chet 8009)177/5 : Visud hym of hys [Cai: Beues dysgysyd al here wede Off blak sendel and off rede].