Middle English Dictionary Entry
brēden v.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | brēden v.(2) Also braden, braiden. P. bred(de, bret, brad(de. |
| Etymology | OE brǣdan; brǣdde. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. broden v.(1)
1.
(a) To spread (sth.) out, extend; spread out (arms, feathers); spread out or open (a book); unfurl (a flag); ~ bord(es, spread boards for a table, set up tables; ~ upon bem, crucify (sb.); (b) spread out; extend or reach (to or through sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14283 : Bord heo hetten breden [Otho: sprede].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)18523 : Bordes heo brædden [Otho: leiden].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)22760 : Þa..mon..þa bordes bradden.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)87.10 : Ich cried to þe al dai; ich bred [L expandi] out min hondes to þe.
- c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn)642 : He made hire to knele a-doun and a bok bradde, Radde a gospel þer-on.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)814 : For vus he lette hym flyȝe & folde And brede vpon a bostwys bem.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)36b/b : Lato: to brede.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)49 : Bredyn' or make more brode: Dilato.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)383 : Burdes were bred in the brade halle.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)774 : Þai tuke vp þaire trompes..Braidis [vr. bradez] banars a-brade.
- c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14)2.147 : Þe hende egle..besieth him besely to breden hem feedrin.
- a1500(?c1400) EToulouse (Cmb Ff.2.38)874 : For bale hys armes abrode he bredde.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)1482 : Þe boȝes bryȝt þer abof..Braunches bredande þeron.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1928 : He were a bleaunt of blwe þat bradde to þe erþe.
- a1425 KAlex.(LinI 150)3233 : Þoruȝ þe heorte brede [Ld: carf] þe stel.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)7.32,33 : A squared carre..they make, And borde hit bredyng vp of certeyn sise, That tort the brinke hit brede alway & rise.
2.
To spread out over (sth.); spread out as a cover or shelter.
Associated quotations
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1514 : He..Braidis [vr. spredes] ouire with bawdkyns all þe brade stretis.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4912 : A blewe bleaunt o-bofe brad him al ouire.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1172 : Þan rises þe sun, Bredis with his beames all þe brode vales.
3.
To spread apart or out; distend (the mouth); disperse (the enemy).
Associated quotations
- ?a1200(?OE) PDidax.(Hrl 6258b)27/2 : And þane muþ awoh breddad [read: breddað].
- a1350 Most i ryden (Hrl 2253)33 : When hit [hair] bredes.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)11.101 : Let brede hem [olives], lest they hete.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2447 : Þai [of Athens] ware baist of his [Alexander's] bost, bredid [Dub: & ferd] for noȝt.
4.
To spread by diffusion; of rumors: be disseminated.
Associated quotations
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)534 : Als onde wid host in brest is bred [Vsp: spred].
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8794 : Þe bavme þurghe his brayn all on brod ran..Bret thurgh the bones and the big senowis.
- c1450 Siege Jerus.(1) (Add 31042)1047 : Brede [Ld: þe blode bygan to spred abrode in þe vaynes].
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)168/76 : Romoure is rasyd so that boldly thay brade Emangis thame.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)57/226 : The flood comes in, full fleetinge fast, on every side it breadeth in hast.