Middle English Dictionary Entry
blī̆ken v.
Entry Info
| Forms | blī̆ken v. Also blikien, blikken. |
| Etymology | OE blīcan & blician. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To shine, gleam, glisten, glitter; (b) blikande; shining, gleaming.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)27360 : Þa..Rom-leoden..iseȝen..sceldes blikien.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)2364 : Þe brond as hit blikede buuen hire.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)20/24 : An unwiht of helle on an[e] drakes liche..His lockes & his longe berd blikeden al of golde.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)98a : Domesdei, hwen ure flesch schal blikien [L transl.: fulgebit; Pep: schine] schenre þen þe sunne.
- a1350 Ichot a burde in boure (Hrl 2253)25 : Hire bleo blykyeþ so bryht.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)603 : Bryȝt blykked þe bem of þe brode heven.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)429 : Þe blod brayd fro þe body, þat blykked on þe grene.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)411 : Oure wivus..haten..fonde..hure face to enoine, For to bliken of hur ble þe bliþure of chere.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)46/2 : Scharp sweord wið blikinde & bitel brond.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)27355 : Þe hulles mi[d] helmes blikiende.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)305 : He..Bende his bresed broȝez, blycande grene.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2485 : Þe blykkande belt.
2.
To turn pale or livid (in death).
Associated quotations
- a1300 Loke to þi louerd (StJ-C A.15)7 : Blikied his brest nacked and bledet hiis side.
- a1400 Alle his frendes (Hrl 7322)9 : His lippes shulle bliken.