Middle English Dictionary Entry
blēren v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | blēren v.(1) Also blerin. |
| Etymology | OE *blerian (cp. LG bleeroged blear-eyed). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To have watery or rheumy eyes; (b) blered eies, watery or bleary eyes.
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1335 Elde makiþ me (Hrl 913)p.171 : I stunt, i stomere..I blind, i bleri.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)15b : To Blere: lippire, lippiscere.
b
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)5.109 : He was bitel-brouwed with twei blered eiȝen.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)117b/a : Of an yȝe þat is hool..of a blerid [L lippiente] yȝe.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)963 : Þe tweyne yȝen..were..sellyly blered.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.29.17 : Lya was with blerid eyen [L lippis oculis].
- c1400 Veynes þer be (Wel 406)p.189 : Whan they [eyes] beth bleryt.
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)9 marg. : A gude oynement for blered eghne.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)15b : Blered: lippus.
2.
bleren eie(s, to befuddle, hoodwink, delude (sb.).
Associated quotations
- c1330 Why werre (Auch)223 : Anon he wole biginne to blere the wives eiȝe.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)507 : Þat ys lees..þou blerest noȝt so myn eȝe.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)prol.71 : He bonchede hem with his Breuet and blered heore eiȝen.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.252 : For al thy worthynesse..blered is thyn eye With oon of litel reputacioun.
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)19526 : He [Simon Magus] cowde wele blere þaire eye [Vsp: mak þe men be dueld].
- c1400 Wycl.Blasph.(Bod 647)420 : To bleere mennis eyne..wiþ gaye wrytynge.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.20 : [Fortune] Vnwarly can blere a mannys eye And hym be-gyle.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)350 : The..galees of Venees..Be wel ladene wyth..thynges wyth whiche they fetely blere oure eye.
- c1450(c1353) Winner & W.(Add 31042)278 : And thou wolle to the tauerne..Iche beryne redy withe a bolle to blerren thyn eghne.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)445 : To pik mennys pursis & eke to bler hir eye.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)91/283 : If I here chyde, she wolde..blere myn ey and pyke out a mote.
- a1500 Freers freers (Trin-C O.2.40)p.250 : Ȝe..weyl can blere a mannus ye.