Middle English Dictionary Entry
circumcīsen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | circumcīsen v. Also -sisen. Ppl. circumcīs(ed. |
| Etymology | From L circumcīs-um, ppl. of -cīdere; cp. also OF ppl. circoncis. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To circumcise (a male); cut off (the foreskin) ceremonially; (b) ~ gasteli, purify spiritually, sanctify.
Associated quotations
a
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)177/8 : Þe furste feste þat in þe ȝere comez we cleopiez ȝeres-dai, Ase ore louerd was circumciset In þe giwene lay.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1002 : Euerilc wapman wurð circumcis.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1200 : Circumcised he was, abuten schoren.
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)2848 : Sephora toc ðis gunge knaue, And dede circumcise haue.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)120/153 : Ope þe heȝe eȝtynde day He onder-ȝede þe gywen lay And was ycircumcysed.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.291 : Ismael was icircumcised whan he was þrittene ȝere olde. Þe Arabes vseþ ȝit þat manere of doynge.
- c1390(?a1300) Stations Rome(1) (Vrn)337 : Of Blod and Watur þer is also, Þat out of cristes sydes gan go; And of his Flesch, þat circumcise.
- c1390(a1325) Ipotis (Vrn)536 : How Jhesu Crist was circumcise.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3011 : Ysaac..was circumcised þe aghtand dai.
- a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32)1 Cor.7.18 : If any be callyd cyrcumcyse.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)93b/b : Iewes circumcised ar siker fro sych maner payne.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 11.2 : Þei þat wore circumsiced striuen wiþ hym.
- a1450 Ch.Feasts (Roy 18.A.10)231 : He suffred to be circumcised; Euery man þat is well avised, Þis feest preyse he scholde.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.Antiochus (SeldSup 52)st.3 : Wemen two, þat þer two suns had circumscised.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)1310 : When þat he circumciset was.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)45/27 : He bled for vs v tymes: Þe fyrst day was þat day when he was circumcyset; Þat othyr tyme was for fere of his passyon.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)16/30 : Crist was noȝt circumcised for eny nede, but for signyficacion.
b
- c1440(a1349) Rolle Desire & D.(Thrn)57/9 : When a man felis hym in þat degre, than es a man circumsysede gastely.
2.
To trim (roots).
Associated quotations
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.588 : Kest askis on their circumcised roote.