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1. ai adv.

98 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
Of continous actions or states: (a) all the time, always, constantly, unceasingly; (b) eternally, forever.

2. alīche adv.

14 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Of mode: in the same manner, similarly; without distinction; (b) of degree or extent: equally; (c) in equal measure or quantity (= Latin ana).

3. almes(se n.

Additional spellings: almesse
144 quotations in 7 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Anything given to relieve those in poverty or distress, any charitable gift or offering, alms; an allotment of alms; eten almes, be dependent on alms; gan on almes, liven bi, of almes, live on…

4. amboht n.

3 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
Handmaid, bondwoman.

5. amis adv.

75 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Of the actions of persons: in a wrong or mistaken manner; gon, faren amis, go astray, go wrong; leden, turnen amis, mislead; speden amis, fare badly; feren amis, be ill; sheten amis, miss the…

6. anclẹ̄ n.

21 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The ankle; ankle bone, esp. the inner projection [quots. c1150, c1440]; innermore ancle; utward ancle, outer projection of the ankle; (b) ancle bon, ankle bone; utter ancle, outer projection of…

7. atlen, -ien v.

Additional spellings: atlien
38 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To intend or plan (to do sth.); -- intr. or refl.; (b) seek or plan (sth.).

8. ayẹ̄n adv.

155 quotations in 8 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Back or away from something; to the rear, back, backwards; drawen ayen, ten ayen, draw back, withdraw; holden ayen, hold back, check, restrain; putten ayen, set or thrust back or away; turnen

9. baiten v.

38 quotations in 6 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To bait (an animal) with an attacking or herding dog; specif., to bait (a tied or confined bear, bull, or badger) in sport; (b) of a dog: to set on (an animal or person); perh. [quot.: a1375] to…

10. bāl(e n.(2)

Additional spellings: bale
14 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A blazing fire, esp. one for burning victims or corpses; also, hell-fire; bale-fir.

11. bank(e n.(1)

Additional spellings: banke
50 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A natural ridge; (b) a height, hill, mountain; (c) a slope, a hill-side; (d) ?the crest of a wave.

12. bannen v.

50 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To summon (troops) by proclamation; assemble (a fighting force); bannen out; (b) to assemble (a fleet) for an attack; (c) to gather (arms), make ready; to man or make ready (a castle).

13. n.

7 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A dwelling; farm, village, town; bi-milne, town mill. [Common in place names and field names of the East Midland and the North (the Danelaw). See A. H. Smith PNElem. 1.66, & the thorp, by, tun map in…

14. big n.(1)

3 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
Barley; big bern, barley barn; big rid(d)el, barley riddle or sieve (for bolting).

15. birth(e n.

Additional spellings: birthe
116 quotations in 9 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The act of giving birth, childbirth; birth bering; labour of birth; at on (a) birth, in one delivery; (b) birth in wombe, conception.

16. bleik adj.

12 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Of complexion: pallid, sallow, pale; (b) whitish, white.

17. bleiken v.

5 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) To turn pale (as with fear); bleiken in blodi ble, blush; (b) to make (sb.) turn pale.

18. blē̆k n.

6 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Ink; blek pot, inkhorn; (b) a black substance, ?tar; (c) a dark or somber mood.

19. blenchen v.

57 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To move suddenly or sharply; jerk, twist; flinch, wince, dodge; blenchen aside; blenchen low, duck; blenchen broues, raise (one's) eyebrows or eyelids; blenchen of slepe, wake up suddenly; (b) of…

20. bōle n.(1)

141 quotations in 7 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A bull; fre bole, a bull free to roam with the herd [see Homans Eng.Villagers 61-3]; (b) a steer or bullock.

21. bọ̄n n.(2)

77 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The act of praying, or what one asks for in praying; a prayer; a favor asked for; bidden, don, maken, praien bon, address a prayer (to God), say a prayer, pray; asken, bidden bon, pray for…

22. bō̆nd(e n.(1)

Additional spellings: bonde
32 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A customary tenant (as distinct from a free-holder); a villager (villain) or farmer (husbandman) holding land under a lord in return for customary services, esp. plowing (cp. plough-man); specif…

23. brand-reth n.

Additional spellings: brandreth
14 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A grate, gridiron, or trivet for supporting cooking utensils above a fire; (b) a gridiron for torture.

24. brant ppl. adj.

8 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Steep, high; brant up, straight up, erect; brant upright, perpendicular; (b) arched (eyebrows) [cp. OI bretta brȳrnar raise the eyebrows]; (c) ?smooth (forehead); (d) in place names [see Smith PN

25. brẹ̄ch n.

55 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The undergarment covering the lower part of the body; underpants, drawers, or tights; brech and sherte, sark and brek; (b) brech, brek, as pl.; a pare brech, a pair of breeches.

26. breithen v.

1 quotation in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
To rush.

27. brennen v.

351 quotations in 9 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To be consumed by fire; burn, burn down; brennen awai; of fire: burn; brennen up, flame up; brenning, on fire, fiery; (b) to destroy (sth.) with fire; put to the torch, reduce to ashes; brennen up

28. bresten v.

175 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To be broken, fall apart, break, shatter; bresten atwo, bresten atwinne, bresten in peces, bresten in sunder; (b) to break (sth.), shatter, crush; break (one's arm); ppl. brosten, of grain or…

29. brim n.(1)

7 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A body of water, such as the sea, a pool, spring, river.

30. britten v.

13 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To mash; (b) to cut to pieces, dismember; (c) to shatter; demolish.

31. cæppe n.

2 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
Warrior.

32. cang adj. & n.

8 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Foolish; also, lewd, worthless, ?wicked; cang eien, lustful eyes; (b) a fool.

33. cānunk n.

3 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A clergyman living under a rule of canons, a canon.

34. cart n.

180 quotations in 8 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A cart, a wagon; also fig.; dong cart, [see dong n.(1), 5.]; fare cart, [see fare n. (1), 8.(b)]; iren-bounden cart, shod cart, a cart with wheels which are bound or reinforced with iron bands…

35. clīven v.

10 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To climb (steps, etc.); cliven up and doun; (b) fig. to climb (to perfection); cliven into (up) the hil of perfeccioun.

36. crā n.

1 quotation in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A corner, nook.

37. cringle n.

11 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
In place names only [see Smith PNElem. 2.7]: a circle, bend.

38. crọ̄k n.

109 quotations in 7 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Any tool, implement, or utensil consisting of, or having as an important part, a curved piece of metal or hook, such as a grappling iron, a pot hook, a reaping hook or sickle, ?a hoe, ?a fork, a…

39. cros n.

251 quotations in 12 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A cross for crucifixion, a gibbet; (b) the cross of Christ; holi cros; Exaltacioun of the cros, a feast, Sept. 14; feste of the holi cros, feast of the Invention of the Cross, May 3; (c) winnen

40. cruk n.

1 quotation in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A pot or crock.

41. dam n.

23 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A dam; also, the bank (of a stream); (b) dam bord, a sluice gate.

42. dī̆ch(e n.

Additional spellings: diche
129 quotations in 7 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) An excavated trench; a ditch for fencing an enclosure, marking a boundary, draining water, etc.; (b) fig. & prov. expressions: as water of dich, freely, unstintingly; commune as water in a dich

43. drag(ge n.(1)

Additional spellings: dragge
14 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A dragnet; (b) a harrow or drag; (c) a barge or raft; (d) a grappling hook.

44. drēm n.(2)

60 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A vision experienced in sleep, a dream; a nightmare; a prophetic dream; (b) dremen drem, meten drem, sen drem, to have a dream; in drem, on drem, in a dream or dreams; sweven and drem, drem or

45. drī(e adj.(2)

Additional spellings: drie
29 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Great, large, tall; of blows: hard, heavy; of a warrior: strong, valorous; driest del, greater part; (b) lasting, long; of a way or path: long, tedious; dri fro, distant from.

46. drīen v.(2)

99 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
To perform or do (sth.); commit (sins); do (penance); drien wille, do (someone's) will; drien lif, lead (a certain kind of) life; drien wirdes, try (one's) luck.

47. elles adv.

82 quotations in 9 senses
Sense / Definition
As an alternative; as another choice or possibility; otherwise; -- often after or, and. Modifying (a) a predicate, (b) an adv. expression; (c) introducing a sentence.

48. flouht n.

2 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
A state of agitation or turmoil; in flouht, in a flutter, agitated.

49. gāble n.(1)

30 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A gable of a building; also, a façade; (b) gable ende, gable wal, gable wough, the end wall surmounted by a gable, gable end; gable forke, a gable; gable windou, a window in a gable; (c) in place…

50. gāle n.(2)

2 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A way, course; fig. gon ilke (haven same) gale, to go the same way, meet the same fate; (b) course of action, way, means, expedient.

51. gā̆ng, gō̆ng n.

Additional spellings: gong
62 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A going, walking; a journey; daies gang, one day's journey; thre daies gang; (b) ability to walk; (c) manner of walking; the way one carries oneself, bearing; (d) part of (?the circumference of) a…

52. garth n.

51 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) An enclosed yard; courtyard, garden, etc.; (b) a hedge or fence; thorn garth; (c) on ground ner on garth [?grith], anywhere; (d) in cpds. & combs.: appeles garthes, apple orchards; garth cresse

53. gēre n.

99 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Wearing apparel, clothes, dress; also, a garment; (b) pl. bedclothes.

54. gēren v.

91 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To prepare or equip (oneself); prepare (a corpse for burial); geren aweiward, prepare (oneself) to go away; (b) to equip (oneself) for fighting, arm (oneself); (c) to dress (sb., oneself); ppl. ge

55. gersum(e n.

Additional spellings: gersume
33 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A treasured object, valuable possession; also, a gift or reward; (b) coll. treasure, valuables, movable possessions; (c) gold and gersum, etc. [See also gold n., sense 2.]

56. gerth n.

44 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A belt or strap passing under a horse's belly to secure a saddle, harness, load, etc. [see also hors gerth]; (b) a hoop for a barrel, keg, tub, etc.; (c) in cpds. & combs.: gerth bokel, a clasp or…

57. gēthe, gẹ̄the n.

1 quotation in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
Only in phr. in a gethe, ?spiritedly, ?hastily.

58. gil n.(1)

31 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A deep and narrow valley; ravine, glen; gil strem, a torrent; (b) in surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.199, 200, 212].

59. gī̆ld(e n.

Additional spellings: gilde
58 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) An association of dues-paying members, organized for charitable, religious, or political purposes; a fraternity, guild; (b) an association of craftsmen or tradesmen, a craft guild.

60. gipse n.(2)

2 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
Recurrent springs [see Smith PNElem. 1.202].

61. gīsel n.

17 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A hostage; (b) finden (yeven) gisel, to give hostage(s as a guarantee of one's loyalty or good faith; nimen gisel, take a hostage; bitechen (sellen) to gisel, give (sb.) as a hostage; haven

62. gliteren v.

33 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Of things: to flash, sparkle, glitter, shine; reflect light; (b) to have a false or misleading glitter.

63. glọ̄ve n.

76 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A glove; one of a pair of gloves; hauking glove, a glove worn while hawking; sheting glove, a glove worn to protect the hand in drawing a bow; (b) a glove or gauntlet used for armor; one of a pair…

64. gọ̄der hēle, gọ̄der-hēle phr. & n.

Additional spellings: goder-hele, goderhele
15 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Good fortune; advantageously, fortunately; as interj.: Good luck!; (b) to goder hele, fortunately; (c) with dative: fortunately for (sb.); to goder hele, to goder hele to, fortunately for (sb.)…

65. gōt n.

177 quotations in 8 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A domesticated goat; (b) meat of a goat, goat's flesh; (c) a pictorial representation of a goat.

66. grei n.(2)

32 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A gray fur, prob. the fur from the back of the Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris in winter; red (ruskin) grei, the fur of the Eurasian red squirrel in winter; tristi (tresti) grei, ?error…

67. grei adj. & n.

119 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Ash-colored, flint-colored, dull, gray; of cloth: gray, drab; of a man: gray-haired; grei hered, grei hore, grei hored, gray-haired, hoary; grei her, an old man; grei tauier, one who taws pelts…

68. greith(e n.

Additional spellings: greithe
16 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Readiness, order, governance, control; in greith, out of greith; don greith on, to exercise control over (a nation); don in greith, carry out, put into effect; (b) effective guidance, counsel…

69. greithen v.

184 quotations in 7 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To prepare (sth.), arrange, make ready; prepare the way for (sth.); (b) to prepare (food), cook, dress; (c) to complete (preparations); trim (a lamp); skin and cut up (game); wash (a vessel)…

70. greive n.

15 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A steward; headman of a town or village; also, a royal official; (b) as surname; also in cpds.: bern greive, fen greive [see also plough greive, wode greive].

71. grẹ̄t n.(3)

65 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Sand, gravel, small stones; a gret, a grain of sand; ech gret, every speck, every bit; (b) sandstone, gristone; (c) dust, dirt.

72. haft n.

22 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) The handle of a weapon, tool, surgical instrument, etc.; hilt of a sword, knife, dagger, etc.; helve of an ax; the upper part of the breastbone (manubrium sterni); also, staff of a flag [quot…

73. hals n.

50 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The neck; hongen bi the hals, to hang (sb.) with a rope around the neck; fro hals to croupoun, from neck to rump; hals gund [OE heals-gund], a neck tumor; also in asseveration: bi mi hals; (b) the…

74. hanselle n.

27 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A token or indication of luck, good or bad; fortune, luck; bad (god, glad, hard, ill, lither) hanselle; (b) something given (esp. in the New Year) as a token of good luck; also fig.; (c) payment…

75. hap n.

119 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A person's lot (good or bad), luck, fortune, fate; -- also pl.; hard happes; (b) a stroke of good or bad luck, an event affecting one's lot or fate; to (with) sori hap, bad luck to him; (c) good…

76. hāre n.

113 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The common European hare (Lepus timidus); (b) any of the various species of the genus Lepus or related genera; Irish hare, the mountain hare (Lepus variabilis); (c) hare's meat used for food; (d)…

77. harwe n.

34 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A harrow for cultivating land, a drag; gon at harwe, to drive a harrow; (b) fig. the Old or New Testament; the power of Love (with pun on arwe); also, in proverb; (c) harwe tind (toth), a tooth of…

78. hāsel n.

71 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The European hazel bush or tree (Corylus avellana); flour (chattes) of hasel, catkins of the hazel; rednesse of hasel, ?the red stigmas of the female catkins of the hazel; (b) the wood of a hazel…

79. hasp(e n.

Additional spellings: haspe
41 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A fastening for a door, gate, chest, etc.; a hasp; up bi the hasp, unfastened, unlatched; barre and hasp, stapel and hasp; (b) a fastening for a garment or a helmet; ?a buckle, ?a lace; (c) a hank…

80. hat n.

79 quotations in 4 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) An outer head covering (often worn over a hood or a cap), a hat; beneten hat, ?an openwork hat; bever hat, a hat of beaver fur; ?beveren hat [see beveren]; cardinales hat; hat of strau (twigges)

81. haue n.(1)

27 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) An enclosure, a yard enclosed by a fence or hedge; also, an enclosure in a ship, ?the hold; ?also, a hedge; also fig.; (b) in surnames & place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.221].

82. hāven n.(1)

83 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A harbor, port; a bay, estuary; a dockyard; ?a fortified port, a place where a navy is stationed; nimen (taken) haven, to reach port, enter a harbor; (b) with of- phr. or gen.: the port belonging…

83. helm n.

41 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A helmet; casten up helm, to raise the visor of a helmet; under helm, wearing a helmet; helm ston, ?coping stone of a roof; (b) the crown of thorns; (c) fig. helm of hele, helm of hope, etc.; (d)…

84. helpen v.

263 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To give aid or assistance to (sb. or sth.), be an assistant to (sb.); help (sb. to do sth.), help (sth. be done); helpen aloft (up), help (sb.) up; helpen doun with, help (sb.) get (sth.) down…

85. hēr n.(1)

193 quotations in 5 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) An individual hair of the human head; pl. hairs, the hair; heres of hed, the hair of (one's) head; (b) the hair of the head coll.; her of hed; in their her, ?with flowing hair; (c) to)drauen her,

86. hẹ̄rd(e n.(1)

Additional spellings: herde
40 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A flock or herd of domesticated animals; got herd, q.v.; (b) a herd of wild animals; esp. a herd of deer; also, a flock of birds, swarm of gnats; (c) fig. spiritual flock, group of people under…

87. hēterlī adv.

37 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) With physical force, violently, roughly, strongly; (b) suddenly, quickly, sharply; (c) in anger, wrathfully, sternly, fiercely; (d) in such a way as to cause pain, cruelly; (e) with strong…

88. hēth n.

81 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Uncultivated land, wasteland, heath, moor; also, a tract of heath or moorland; holt and heth; heth cok, ?grouse; heth ston, q.v.; (b) a field, battlefield; (c) wild plants growing on heaths; esp…

89. hēthen adj. & n.

91 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) As adj.: not Christian or Jewish; pagan, heathen; hethen lei, pagan lands or people, heathendom; hethen lond; (b) hethen man, one who is not a Christian or a Jew; (c) as noun: = hethen man; --…

90. hēthing n.

63 quotations in 3 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) A feeling or attitude of contempt, scorn; in (with) hething, disdainfully, contemptuously; taken on (til, with) hething, to treat (sth.) with contempt; (b) contemptuous hostility; anger, hatred.

91. hilen v.

81 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) To cover (sth.), spread over, bury; deck (sth.), caparison (a horse); blot out (sin, one's sight); hilen happing on, lay a coverlet over (sb.); (b) to put clothing on (sb.), clothe; cover (the…

92. hōd(e n.

Additional spellings: hode
27 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) Quality, rank, condition, status; the order of knighthood; (b) holy orders, priest's or bishop's orders, etc.; also, an order as of monks, canons, etc.; (c) one of the orders or choirs of angels.

93. hold n.(1)

5 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) An officer in the Danelaw; (b) ?in place names [see Smith PNElem. 1.258].

94. hō̆nd(e n.

Additional spellings: honde
786 quotations in 12 senses
Sense / Definition
(a) The human hand; lene of the hond, the palm; shot of hond, darts, javelins; staf of hond, a handstaff; vale of the hond, the central triangle in the palm; bar hondes, unarmed hands; folden hondes

95. hō̆nd-festen v.

Additional spellings: hondfesten
9 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) To betroth (two people), unite; betroth (sb. to sb.); pledge oneself to (sb. to be married); also fig.; (b) ppl. as adj.: betrothed; also, manacled by the hand.

96. hō̆ngen v.

589 quotations in 18 senses
Sense / Definition
To suspend (sb. or sth.) from an elevated point: (a) to hang (sb., his corpse, or parts of it) up by the feet, hands, or hair; hongen up, hongen up bi the fet, etc.; (b) to fasten or mount (sth. on…

97. hough n.(1)

49 quotations in 2 senses
Sense / Definition
A promontory, cliff; mountain or high hill with steep sides; bi hilles and houes, in hurstes and houes, over hil and hough, over hill and mountain, everywhere.

98. hundred card. num.

139 quotations in 6 senses
Sense / Definition
One hundred: (a) as noun; -- often governing a genitive in earliest use; later often with of- phr.; (b) as adjective; (c) as an abstract number.

99. hū̆sting n.

23 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) A council or assembly called on a special occasion by a king or other leader; holden (setten) husting, to hold such an assembly; (b) ?the members of a council; (c) a court of common pleas…

100. ilēte n.

3 quotations in 1 sense
Sense / Definition
(a) Outward manner or bearing; (b) expression.