Middle English Dictionary Entry
witen sauf v. phr.
Entry Info
| Forms | witen sauf v. phr. Also witsauf(e, wetsaffe, whitsaufe, whightsauf. |
| Etymology | From witen v.(2) & sauf adj., prob. modeled on vǒuchen sauf v. phr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To bestow (sth. on sb.);—used without obj.; also, furnish (consolation for sth.);
(b) to deign (to do sth.), see fit; consent (to do sth.); also, see fit to allow it [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- c1465 Chaucer Anel.(Hnt HM 140)254 : Is there now nother worde ne chere Ye witsauf [Frf: vouchesafe] vpon myn heuynesse?
- a1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)466 : Forthe sche browght a whyt sted…‘Leman, haue here thys fole…The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me…I wet-saffe of [read: on] the.’
b
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Bod 68:Reidy)[Introd.] 76a : Wytsave [Brussels: Thow schalt fynde tables of equacions…ȝif god wole vouche saaf & his moder the mayde, mo than I byheete].
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1031/21 : Thanked be Thou, Lorde, that Thou wolt whyghtsauff to calle us Thy sunnes!
- a1475 VPhilibert (Brog 2.1)p.35 : I pray to God with myne herte in fere He wold witsavfe to grant…Of al my synnys to have wery reypentance.
- a1475 VPhilibert (Brog 2.1)p.36 : I prayed my Lord he wold whytsavfe to here My…orysone.
- a1500 Scrope DSP (Add 34193)78/27 : Witsaffe [Bod: O dere maister…wil ye fouchesave to correct vs?].
- c1525 Rule & T.St.Francis(2) (Fst D.4)569 : When they go for suche almys, they shall exhorte them that gevith hit he wille wytsaff to doo the almes them self.