Middle English Dictionary Entry
yẹ̄nstonden v.
Entry Info
| Forms | yẹ̄nstonden v. Also ȝenstond, ȝeinestonde, (chiefly N) gain(e)stand(e, (NEM) ganstand. |
| Etymology | From stō̆nden v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ayen-stonden v., withstonden v.
1.
(a) To take a stand in opposition, refuse to cooperate [last quot.]; mount a campaign or defense against (an enemy, a hostile or opposing force), stand against; also, put up an argument against (sth.), take issue with; attempt to refute or contradict (sb. or sth.); ppl. gainstandand as noun: those standing in opposition, adversaries;
(b) to put up a spiritual fight, offer moral resistance [quots. 1435 (2nd) & last]; contend with (passions, temptations, etc.), withstand; also, fig. war against (sb.), obstruct [quot. 1435, 1st];
(c) in prep. and conj. uses: noght-gain(e-standing, not-gain-stonding, q.v.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)29/84 : Might had þai none…forto gaynstand his wit, Bot al þaire domes he made ful dym.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)14/2 : Þai vtward with playne argumentis gaynstandys þe treuth.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)5730 : Hee redyd all his reme to ryse, þer enmys styfly to gayn stand.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4932 : He na power had To gayne stande þaim in batayle.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)8298 : He come toward scotlande, To se wha walde him gayne stande.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)53a : To Gaynstande: Calcitrare, re-; resistere, obluctari, obstare, obsistere, repercutere, Reniti, repugnare, reluctari.
- ?c1475 *Trev.Nicod.(Sal 39)141b : Wat manere man is Ihesus, þat dredeþ and yenstondeþ þi [Satan’s] power [Hrl: ys a-yenst þe; F est encuntre ta poeste]?
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)16.9 : Fra gayn standand [L resistentibus] til thi right hand kepe me as the appile of the eghe.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)27/20 : Þay haden no wytte ne no powste forto ȝeynestonde hym.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)44/128 : Godis bydyng shall I not spare; shuld I that ganstand? we, nay, ma fay!
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.139 : Thou takest no hede Of the gate imperyall that we lede, To whiche all landes obey and paye truage, Saue thou alone gaynstandest of thyne outrage.
b
- c1400 Ilka man (Tbr E.7)8 : Þai may noght gainstand fandinges.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)3/10 : Slepe gayne-standes me als an enmy.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)61/17 : To þaim þerfore þe aw to gaynstand, þat þo þingis þat criste desyres ar besy to distroy.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)25 : Ilk crature wiþ God auȝt to ȝenstond falshed.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)214/43 : I am so vnstedfaste and frayle to gaynstande my passions.
- a1500 Now rightwis Iuge (Corp-O 274)46 : Vnder þi baner þu me beld, þat thurgh strengh gayne-stand I may.