Middle English Dictionary Entry

chaunǧen v.
Quotations: Show all Hide all

Entry Info

Forms chaunǧen v. Also chaungie, changen, chaingen, chongen, chongi, cha(u)nchen, chonchen.
Etymology AF chaunger, CF changier.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To suffer alteration; change, vary; ~ fro, diverge from; ~ lowe or heighe, descend or ascend; (b) to alter (sth.), make different, change; ~ colour, ~ heu, change in color; ~ nature, change in character.
Show 35 Quotations
2.
(a) To change (one's mind, purpose, feelings, attitude, opinion); ~ chere, herte, thought, etc.; (b) of the mind, attitudes, mood, affection, etc.: to shift or change; (c) of persons: to change in affection, attitude, mood, or character; ~ of neue; ~ of courage, change in heart or one's love; (d) to make (sb.) change his attitude, character, etc.; ~ chere.
Show 36 Quotations
3.
chaungen chere, ~ face, to change one's facial expression; ~ blie, ~ colour, ~ heu, change in complexion, esp. grow pale (or red) in the face; him chaungeth colour, his complexion changes.
Show 19 Quotations
4.
(a) To turn (into sth. else), be transformed; (b) to transform, transmute, or convert (sth. into sth. else); ~ awei, fra, out of, change from (sth.); -- also refl.
Show 23 Quotations
5.
Physiol. & phys. (a) To change or transform (sth.), esp. for the worse; to affect noxiously, infect (a wound, etc.); (b) to become altered, esp. for the worse; to turn (into sth. else).
Show 14 Quotations
6.
Miscell. uses: (a) of the voice: to change (in puberty); (b) to differ or vary (in some respect); (c) of the mind: to change for the worse; of a person: become deranged; (d) to convert (sb. to proper conduct).
Show 9 Quotations
7.
(a) Of the wind: shift; (b) of the tides: ebb and flow; ~ tides; also fig.; (c) of the moon: change phase; also fig.
Show 12 Quotations
8.
(a) To shift or move (sth. from one thing or place to another); change position; ~ herte, divert the heart (from sth.); ~ tale, digress; (b) to shift; be removed; -- refl. & intr.; (c) hunt. of a hound: to switch from the quarry.
Show 10 Quotations
9.
(a) To give and receive (sth.) in return, exchange; trade one thing for another; engage in buying and selling, bargain, trade; choppen and ~; (b) to exchange (one currency for another, or bullion for money); also, engage in financial transactions.
Show 15 Quotations
10.
(a) To replace (sb.); (b) to exchange (sb.).
Show 9 Quotations
11.
(a) To replace (sth.), substitute one thing for another; change over; ~ stemnes, take turns; (b) to exchange (sth. for sth. else); (c) ~ clothes, change (one's) clothes; (d) to change one's clothes; ~ into, change into (sth. else); (e) to replace (a dressing, poultice, etc.); also, replace an application on (a sore).
Show 28 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)125b/a : Ȝif þer be a wounde with þe seperacioun, þe wounde moste be chaunged & diȝte euerye daie but when þer is seperacioun wiþouten wounde, he schal not be chaunged but euerie iiij daie.
    • Note: Quot. belongs to sense 11.(e).
    Note: Replace the gloss "also, replace an application on (a sore)" with "also, to replace an application or a dressing on (a wound, sore)."
  • c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)82/36 : Holy men and good men, when þat þei die oute of þis world, þei shall schaunche hure strenght, for þei shall leue here bodely strenght and takon a goostely strenght in soule ȝeven of God almyghty.
    • Note: New form: Also..schaunche.
    Note: Quot. belongs to sense11.(a).
    Note: This quot. has been taken back to books.
Note: The list of variant spellings in the form section may be incomplete and / or may need revision to accord with standards of later volumes of the MED.--notes per MLL

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