Middle English Dictionary Entry
chēpen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | chēpen v. Also (early) chapi, (late) chappe. P. chēpede, chepte, cheapede, chapede. |
| Etymology | OE cēapian; early ME chapi , chapide exhibit shortening of ēa in original trisyllabics. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To engage in bargaining (either as buyer or seller), dicker; (b) ~ chaffare, to bid for or buy merchandise; (c) to sell or deliver (sth.); ~ to sale, ~ (to) sellen, offer to sell (sth.) or to deliver (sb.) for a price.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)131 : Þis chapmen biholdeþ Iosep..& Iosep to begge swiþe lef hem is. Hi chepeþ & hi bedeþ; sone hi beþ at on..þe panes beþ itold.
- a1450(1419) Loke how Flaundres (Dgb 102)23 : Þat chepen moche and not han to paye..All are folyes.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)111 : Chepyn: licitor..Precior.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)23b : To Chepe [Monson: Chappe]: taxare, mercari, commercari, nundinari, negociari.
b
- a1350 Ne mai no lewed (Hrl 2253)73 : Such chaffare y chepe at þe chapitre.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)13.380 : Who so cheped my chaffare chiden I wolde, But he profred to paye a peny or tweyne More than it was worth.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)1314 : He made..a market to crye, Alle þat cheffare wolde chepe, chepis to haue Ay for a peny of pris.
- c1450(a1375) Octav.(2) (Clg A.2)389 : And segh þer..marchauntes..To bey ware; But þer ne chepede fre ne bonnde All her chafare.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34)57/607 : Aleast..[þu] lettest an of þe tweolue þet tu hefdest icoren chapi þe & sullen, & þoledest pine & passiun.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)56a : Leccherie..is þe deofles beast þet he leat to chepinge & to euch gederunge & chepeð [Nero: cheapeð] forte sullen.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)113a : Ancre þet is chepilt, þet is buð forte sullen efter biȝete, ha chepeð [Nero: cheapeð] hire sawle þe chapmon of helle.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)115 : He [Judas] com to þe Gywes..And chepte heom to sullen vre helare.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)122 : Iosep in þe pette hi chepeden to sale.
2.
(a) To bid for or try to capture (a soul); (b) to seek or acquire (a mate); (c) to win (a woman's favor).
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)79a : Hwen he [the devil]..for þe licunge of a lust..chapeð [Nero: cheapeð; cp. L text: emere nititur] þi sawle.
b
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.268 : If that she be foul, thow seyst that she Coueiteth euery man that she may se; For as a spanyel she wol on hym lepe, Til that she fynde som man hir to chepe.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1271 : For were I worth al þe wone of wymmen alyue..& schulde chepen & chose to cheue me a lorde [etc.].
c
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)2940 : [She] bygynneþ to be a shrewe..Þan wyl folys fonde and fare To chepe þe wyuys chaffare.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2990 : When a woman..is passed all drede and shame, She shall haue ynow that woll chepe hir ware.
3.
Miscell. uses: (a) to repay (sth.); (b) to accept or approve.
Associated quotations
a
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)50b : Ȝef me chapede [Nero: cheapede] ed ow an of þeos [tribulations] o domes dei, þet is þe mede þe ariseð þrof, ȝe hit nalden sullen for al þe world of golde.
b
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)15.31 : Whan I chalange or chalange nouȝte, chepe or refuse, Þanne am I conscience ycalde, goddis clerke and his notarie.