Middle English Dictionary Entry
bobben v.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | bobben v.(1) Also boben. |
| Etymology | OF bober mock, deride; cp. also OF bobe deception. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. abobbed.
1.
(a) To strike (a blindfolded person) in cruel jest; (b) to strike or beat (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- ?c1335 Þe grace of god (Hrl 913)117 : He was ibobid and ismitte And hi spette in is face; Hi bede him rede, if he cuþe witte, Woch of ham al hit was.
- c1390 Mirror St.Edm.(2) (Vrn)827 : Þei hudden his face & bobed his hede And scorned him.
- a1400 Wycl.MPl.(Add 24202)45 : So bourdfully takyng Goddis biddynge or wordis or werkis is scornyng of hym, as dyden the Jewis that bobbiden Crist.
- a1425 Nicod.(1) (Add 32578)604 : Þai..bobbed hym dispitusely.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)190/8 : Bobyng hym be-forn hys swete mowth, criyng ful cruelly vn-to hym, 'Telle us now how smet þe!'
- c1440 Bonav.Medit.(3) (Thrn)201 : They hillide his enghne & bobbyd hym.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3614 : Whan þat crist oure saueour Was bobbid and his visage al bespet.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.Chr.Pass.(LdMisc 683)14 : Blyndfellid, bobbyd by ffals derysioun.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)283/131 : I bobyd hym on the crowne; That gam me thoght was good.
- a1500 Listyns lordingus to (Cmb Ff.5.48)36 : When ȝe my son with buffettes bobbyd..no thyng he sobbyd.
- c1500 Stations Jerus.(Ashm 61)382 : Beȝond þer is þe same stede Where Jhesu wondys wer bobbyd rede.
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)7316 : With the bit of his blade he bobbit hym so..He clefe hym to þe coler.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.241 : Whiche scholde bobbe [Trev.: smote; L colaphizaret] besily the victor..That þe victor scholde not be ouer prowde of suche glory.
2.
(a) To deride or insult (sb.); (b) to fool or deceive (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))3 Esd.1.51 : That dai that the Lord spac, thei weren bobbende [WB(2): bobbynge] his profetus.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Jer.38.19 : Lest..Y be take in to the hondus of hem, and thei bobbe to me [WB(2): scorne me; L illudant mihi].
b
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)101/2112 : Wiȝ bacyn beting and kandel liȝt Þa bobbed þe pie bi niȝt.
- c1390 Talking LGod (Vrn)16/27 : Hit is þe deueles Mirour..And þe fendes Argumens..þat he bobbeþ him wiþ and ledeþ as him lykeþ.
- c1400 Wycl.Dominion (Dub 244)291 : Þe fend may hide mennes wittis and bobbe hem in here resoun, as þe iewis diden wiþ crist.
- ?c1425 Gosp.Serm.(Add 41321:JPG)51 : Thei ben bobbid in hire bileve and in her catel bothe.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1290 : Mankynde is bobbyt & blent as þe blynde.