Middle English Dictionary Entry
compressen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | compressen v. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To compress or squeeze (sth.); ~ out, squeeze out; (b) compressed, flattened as by pressure; crowded; hemmed in, restricted.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)125/5 : A þinne clout wet in þe white of an ey, & sumwhat þe white compressid out.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)33/32 : Þe bleddre compressed wiþ þe fyngers.
b
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)128/16 : In þe firste caas dura mater is compressid.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.7.75 : Seestow nat thanne how streyt and how compressid is thilke glorie that ye travailen aboute to schewe and to multeplye?
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)10a/b : The fourme of it is rounde to þe maner of a spere, softe compressed on aiþer partie.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)40b/a : So þat þe aposteme..appereþ inward toward þe faucez..when þe tong is compressed.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.114 : Ȝoure noble immortalite..Ful streit compressed and restreyned esse.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)514 : Men dissipat, here enemy may myscary, And combred is an oste that is compressed.
2.
(a) To press or crowd (one thing against another); (b) to contract (parts); unite (two things) firmly.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.8/28 : As be his feete, this synguler ennemy of mankynde compressith vs to the erthe.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.22/28 : His hede, compressid downe to the hande, laye vnmevable.
- ?a1450 Arderne LW (Em 69)123 : Sche compresseth here handes uppone here bely.
b
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)107a/b : In þe wynter for coldnesse compressyng [L comprimentem] In somer for hete dissoluyng.
- a1450 Who þat liste loke (Stw 951)p.41 : Sith þat god..Two persons hath ordeyned in vnitee, Ryght is þerfore boothe in oon herte compresse Theire loue.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1450 Disce Mori (Jes-O 39)23/46 : Lerne to loue swetely, lest þou be drawe; wisely, lest þou be deceyued, & strongly, lest þou, compressed, faille.
Note: Editor's note: "The sense required here, sc. 'put under pressure', is not recorded in either OED or MED. Cf. Latin compressi (in the Manipulus), oppressi (in the Benard)."
Note: Editor's gloss: "compressed, pp., put under pressure"
Note: A figurative use of sense 1.(1), perhaps best added as a new sense 1.(c), "To subject (sb.) to moral or emotional suasion."