Middle English Dictionary Entry
brīben v.
Entry Info
| Forms | brīben v. |
| Etymology | Cp. OF briber go begging. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To pilfer or steal (sth.); export (wool) illegally; (b) to practice extortion.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Co.(Manly-Rickert)A.4417 : Ther is no theef with oute a lowke, That helpeth hym to wasten and to sowke Of that he brybe kan or borwe may.
- (1402) Topias (Dgb 41)p.40 : Thou hast condiciounes of a tame chowȝe: He chiterith and he bribith alle that he may gete.
- (c1434) *Anc.Pet.(PRO)336.15865 : They han broken vp al the cofres..and brybed and boren away his goodes.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)50 : Brybyn: Manticulo, latrocinar.
- (1442) RParl.5.64a : Diverse men..bribe and stele out of this your saide Roialme Woll and Wolfell.
- c1450 Idley Instr.(Dgb 181)1.1335 : [They wol..] Bribe [suche as may be gete into her slyues].
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)142.167 (v.2:p.410) : For to [i.e. 'two'] skylle yt ys whi yt shulde the esilyere be brou and sparyd to hem that takyn yt ..: for the Romayn couetyse brybid yt.
b
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Fri.(Manly-Rickert)D.1378 : This somnour euere waityng on his pray..Feynynge a cause, for he wolde brybe.