Middle English Dictionary Entry

britnen v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms britnen v. Also bretnen, brutnen, & brit(t)en, bret(t)en, brutten.
Etymology OE brytnian deal out, give a share; ME meanings largely from britten, from which it is hard to separate in later ME.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To divide (sth. into parts); (b) to cut (sb.) up; ~ into quarters, to quarter; (c) hunt. to cut up (a deer, etc.); ~ out, cut out.
Show 9 Quotations
2.
(a) To break (sth.) to pieces; shatter, smash; (b) to demolish or raze (a city, etc.); ~ to noght, destroy.
Show 7 Quotations
3.
(a) To tear or cut (sb.) to pieces; rend, slash; slay; ~ to dethe, ~ to noȝt, kill; destroy (the soul); (b) to go to pieces, be annihilated.
Show 22 Quotations

©2024 Regents of the University of Michigan. For details about this collection's copyright see the MEC copyright statement and the U-M Library Copyright Policy. Data last refreshed Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 13:27:00.