Middle English Dictionary Entry
aknẹ̄(s adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | aknẹ̄(s adv. Also aknen, akneon, aknon, akneo(we, aknow(e(s, aknewes, oknes, (Orm.) o cnewwe(s. |
| Etymology | From phrase; OE on cnēo(wu)m. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
On one's knees, as in worship or supplication; buȝhen ~, fallen ~, to kneel down; sitten ~, kneel.
Associated quotations
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6467 : Fellenn dun o cnewwess.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)6627 : Herode..Badd ta þreo kingess..Buȝhenn himm o cnewwe.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14305 : Reowen sæt a cneowe [Otho: a cnouwe] and cleopede to þan kinge.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17750 : Þeos swike feol a cneowe at-foren þan leod-kinge.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)4b : Buhinde o cneon [Nero: oknon] forðward up o þe bedde.
- c1230(?a1200) *Ancr.(Corp-C 402)5a : Efter þis falleð o cneon [Nero: acneon] to ower crucifix.
- a1250 Ancr.(Nero A.14)7/12 : Sprengeð ou mid haliwater..& falleð a cneon.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)67 : At his fader fot þat child him sit akne.
- c1300(?c1225) Horn (Cmb Gg.4.27)505 : Aþulf fel aknes [Ld: on knes; Hrl: a kne].
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)5388 : And fullen a cnowe at þan kinges fote.
- c1300 SLeg.Marg.(Hrl 2277)268 : Þis holi maide sat akneo & hire eȝen to heuene caste.
- c1300 SLeg.Cross (LdMisc 108)292 : Þe Quiene of Saba cam þare forth and a-non..A-kneo [Ashm: akne] and honoureden it.
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2252 : O knes ful fayre he him sette.
- c1300 SLeg.Little Jew (Hrl 2277)7 : His felawes sete a knee & cride on þe ymage an heȝ.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)920 : Þe maister vel adoun akne & cride him milce & ore.
- a1350 Horn (Hrl 2253)340 : Þo Athelbrus astounde fel akneu to grounde.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)2343 : Toforn him a knewes sche fel.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)9871 : A know he sat & seyd 'Merci.'
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)122/230 : Thomas of ynde, a k[n]owes yfalle, Croped hys holy wounde.
- a1350 SLeg.Juliana (Ashm 43)167 : And sat akne and hire orison sede.
- c1390 RSicily (Vrn)110 : Þe porter..Bifore þe newe kyng aknes gan falle.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3275 : Hij..fellen a-knowe [LinI: on kneoes] in þe strete..and..Crieden mercy.
- a1450 SLeg.Suppl.Bod.(Bod 779)395/42 : Remygy wit wel drery chere fil a-knes adoun.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1400 St.Alex.(2) (Trin-O 57)57/384 : A kneo [vr. keneo] þei beden alle.
Note: New spelling
Note: vr. from Ld MS
- c1425 Glo.Chron.A (Hrl 201)p.117 : Þis mayde out of chambre com, þo þei hadden y ȝete With a coppe of gold, fol of wyn, syde drow hire tail, A kne to þe kyng heo seyde, 'lord, syng wasseyl.'
Note: Needed for date