Middle English Dictionary Entry

agōn v.
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Entry Info

Forms agōn v. Also ago, agan. Forms: sg. 3 agōth, agēþ, agāþ; ppl. agō(n, agonne, agā; pr. perf. is agō(n; the past tense is supplied by yẹ̄de & wente, q. v.
Etymology OE āgān; āgǣþ; ppl. āgān.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To go (to, from, up, by, etc.); proceed, pass; (b) ben agon, be gone, depart.
Show 9 Quotations
2.
(a) Pass away, vanish; waste away, go to ruin; come to an end, come to naught; ben agon, be lost, be lacking; fer ~, exhausted; (b) of persons: pass away, die; ben agon, be dead; (c) of fire, light: go out.
Show 27 Quotations
3.
(a) Go away, fall away; escape; -- with obj. (orig. dat.); (b) desert the faith.
Show 4 Quotations
4.
To come to pass, come about, happen; ~ bi, happen to (sb.).
Show 5 Quotations
5.
Of time: to pass, elapse; -- (a) with noun as subj.; (b) with it as subj. and adverbial noun phrase or adverb: it is (a good while, long) ago(n, it has gone by, it is (long) past or ago.
Show 16 Quotations
6.
Ppl. ago(n, past; ago; -- (a) with adv. noun phrase: mani a dai ~; time ~, the past; the thridde dai ~, the day before yesterday; (b) with adv.: fern ~, longe ~, (of) yore ~, long ago; (c) late ~, lately past, recently.
Show 18 Quotations
7.
Gram. Past.
Show 2 Quotations
8.
Receive, obtain [cp. OE ofgān require, obtain].
Show 2 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)78 : His firme kinde dei was a-gon.
    • Note: Most senses need date.
  • (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)4.187 : Cassibelanus lyvede sevene ȝere after þat Iulius was a goo [vr. ago].
    • Note: Additional quote(s) for 2.(b)

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?1482 Rev.Monk Eynsham2971 : He hym-selfe meruelyd wyth vs to fele and see the peyne and ache wyth the wownde so clene agonne, that no tokyn of hyt..remaynyd.
    • Note: Additional quot., sense 2.(a).

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