Middle English Dictionary Entry
complēten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | complēten v. Ppl. complēt(e. |
| Etymology | From ppl. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To complete or finish (sth.); fulfill (an agreement); achieve (a purpose); ~ ende, fulfill a purpose; (b) to reach full development.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.7162 : Virgile..Was graue a-forn or complet was his werk, As bokes olde make mencioun.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.6080 : Þis large stede, of makynge merveillous..Was complet ful to his perfeccioun Of werkemanshipe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2755 : A litel child, whiche with hir she lad Þe sege complet and destruccioun Whan she was brouȝt out of Troye toun.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)23b/a : Þe 2a intencioun is complete in cesingz or lissyngez dolour..& rectifying yuel qualitee.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)55a/b : Tyme of remouyng þe suture is when it haþ complete his ende.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)4592 : Whan..Compleet had Anneys hir preyere.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)1039 : Tille he haue complet his cure.
- (1463) Let.Bk.Lond.L (Gldh LetBk L)32 : Before he knou wel that the same servaunt hath complete his covenauntes.
b
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)210b/a : It letteþ þe fallynge of leues and fruyte for to þe digestioun be complete.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)322b/b : Þe chike in þe ey is sonner complete and y schape in somer þan in wynter.
2.
(a) To carry (sth.) out, execute; perform (a function); (b) to be finished.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.507 : Þe whiche þing was complet be þavis Of Alysaunder.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)137a/b : In þe mouþe..ar 2 principale perticlez completing i. fulfilling 2 actez..þe tonge to tastyng & þe teþe to chewyng.
- (1428) EEWills79/25 : I..ordeigne myn executours..all and euerich aboue expressid iustly to complete and treuly to spede.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)4014 : Þai hym youyn al counsel It to performe..whan it complet was perfytly [etc.].
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)3510 : These marchandis..completyn hir pilgremagis or þey se hir wyvis.
b
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)5317 : She..shal fynally, When complet is þe general resurreccyoun, Illumynyd bene in hyr gloryous body.
3.
(a) Of a period of time: to elapse, end; (b) to complete or spend (a certain period).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.NP.(Manly-Rickert)B.4379 : Whan that the monthe..That highte March..Was complet.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1893 : The fourthe day complet from noon to noon, Whan that the heighe masse was ydoon, In halle sit this Ianuarie and May As fressh as is the brighte someres day.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)131/10 : Sche was broute..on-to þe toumbe of Seynt Gilbert, and þere abood in prayeres iij dayes and nytes; þoo complet, sche went hom heyl and sound.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)466/1 : Yelding therof yerely..by x yere..j rose for all seruyce. And, aftir tho x yere fully complete, euery yere xvj shillings.
b
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.251 : cclxxij daies..whom Criste hade complete [Trev.: hadde] in the blessede wombe of his moder.