A MIDDLE ENGLISH VOCABULARY
BY
J. R. R. TOLKIEN
Designed for use with
SISAM'S Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose
OXFORD
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
M DCCCC XXII
Printed in England
Transcriber's Note
Original spelling variants and punctuation have not been standardized.
This vocabulary was designed for use with
Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose, by Kenneth Sisam,
available at PG #43736.
The cover image was modified by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
ABBREVIATIONS
| AFr. | Anglo-French. |
| allit. | alliterative; (in) alliterative verse, &c. |
| cf. | in etymologies indicates uncertain or indirect relation. |
| constr. | constructed with; construction. |
| Du. | Dutch. |
| E.; Mn.E. | (Modern) English. |
| E.D.D. | The English Dialect Dictionary. |
| Fr. | French. |
| Fris. | (Modern) Frisian (dialects). |
| from | is prefixed to etymologies when the word illustrated has additional suffixes, &c., not present in the etymon. |
| G. | German. |
| Goth. | Gothic. |
| Icel. | (Modern) Icelandic. |
| Kt.; OKt. | Kentish; Kentish dialect of Old English. |
| L.; Med.L. | Latin; Mediaeval Latin. |
| MDu. | Middle Dutch. |
| ME. | Middle English. |
| MHG. | Middle High German. |
| MLG. | Middle Low German. |
| N.E.D. | The Oxford (New) English Dictionary. |
| Nth; ONth. | Northumbrian; Northumbrian dialect of Old English. |
| NWM. | North West Midland. |
| OE. | Old English. |
| OFr. | Old French. |
| OFris. | Old Frisian. |
| OHG. | Old High German. |
| OIr. | Old Irish. |
| ON. | Old Norse, especially Old Icelandic. |
| ONFr. | Northern dialects of Old French. |
| OS. | Old Saxon (Old Low German). |
| prec. | preceding word. |
| red. | reduced; reduction. |
| Swed. | Swedish. |
| WS.; OWS. | West Saxon (dialect of Old English). |
| * | is prefixed where forms are theoretically reconstructed. |
| + | between the elements shows that a compound or derivative is first recorded in Middle English. |
NOTE
This glossary does not aim at completeness, and it is not primarily a glossary of rare or 'hard' words. A good working knowledge of Middle English depends less on the possession of an abstruse vocabulary than on familiarity with the ordinary machinery of expression—with the precise forms and meanings that common words may assume; with the uses of such innocent-looking little words as the prepositions of and for; with idiomatic phrases, some fresh-minted and some worn thin, but all likely to recur again and again in an age whose authors took no pains to avoid usual or hackneyed turns of expression. These are the features of the older language which an English reader is predisposed to pass over, satisfied with a half-recognition: and space seldom permits of their adequate treatment in a compendious general dictionary or the word-list to a single text. So in making a glossary for use with a book itself designed to be a preparation for the reading of complete texts, I have given exceptionally full treatment to what may rightly be called the backbone of the language.
Brief indications of the etymology of each word are given, with references in difficult cases to the Oxford English Dictionary (N.E.D.). Apart from their usefulness as a basis for exercises in phonology and the analysis of vocabulary, these will serve to differentiate words distinct in origin which coincide in some of their forms or spellings. The Old English or Old French forms cited are those that best illustrate the Middle English; in consequence the Old English forms frequently differ from normal West-Saxon, and the Old French forms are especially those of the French current in England (Anglo-French is rarely specified). Old Norse words have usually been cited in the normal spelling (e.g. of Zoëga's Old Icelandic Dictionary). Accordingly, long vowels in Old Norse words are marked as in bráþ-r. In Old English words stable long vowels are marked as in brād; uncertain quantity or probable shortening in Old English times is marked as in adrǣ̆dd; vowels that were lengthened in the Old English period (e.g. before ld, mb, nd) are marked as in cáld, clímban, bíndan.
For the convenience of beginners the glossary is liberally supplied with cross references, and the prefixed Table summarizes the principal variations of form or spelling. Particular attention should be given to the following points of arrangement: (i) Ȝ has a separate alphabetical place following G; cross-references to gh are not given: (ii) Þ has a separate alphabetical place following T; variation between þ and th is disregarded, and initial Th is entered under Þ: (iii) U, V are alternative forms of the same letter; variation between them is disregarded, and initial U is entered under V: (iv) Y initially has its usual place; but medial or final Y will be found in the alphabetical position of I.
J. R. R. T.
PRINCIPAL VARIATIONS OF FORM
OR SPELLING
1. a varies with o (before m, n); as land, lang, lamb—lond, long, lomb; man, name—(Western) mon, nome.
2. a (= ā) varies in Northern texts with (i) ai, ay; as (a) fare, fare—fayre (b) fayre—farest, fairest: (ii) with Southern o, oo; see 14.
3. ai, ay varies with (i) ei, ey; as mayntene—meyntene: (ii) a; see 2: (iii) o, oo; see 2.
4. au (before m, n) varies with a (chiefly in French words); as daunce—dance.
5. be-, prefix varies with bi-; as begynne—biginne.
6. c varies with k; as bac, court—bak, kort.
7. des-, prefix varies with dis-; as des-, disavauntage.
8. e (= ẹ̄) varies in Northern texts with ei, ey; as wel(e)—weill, weyl; stele—steill. See 13, 20.
9. ei, ey varies with (i) ai, ay (cf. 3); as weie, wey(e)—way(e): (ii) hence in Northern texts with a; as strat-ly—streyte: (iii) with e; see 8.
10. er varies with later ar; as fer, hertely—far, hartely.
11. f varies with u (= v): (i) initially (Southern); as fader—uader: (ii) finally (Northern); as haf(e)—haue.
12. ght varies with ȝt, cht (Scottish), ht, st; as nyght—niȝt, nycht, nyht, seuenist.
13. i (vowel) varies with y, passim: i, y varies with (i) e in Northern texts; as hider, liuen, myddel—heder, leue, medill: (ii) with e, (South) Western u; as hil, fyrst—hell, uerst—hul, furst.
14. o, oo (= ǭ) varies in Northern texts with (i) a; as hot, hoot—hate: (ii) hence also with ai (see 2): (iii) with oi, oy; see next.
15. o, oo (= ọ̄) varies in Northern texts with (i) ou, u; as god, good—goud, gud(e): (ii) oi, oy; as none, noon—noyne.
16. (s)sch varies with (s)sh, ss; as schewe—shewe, ssewe; fle(s)sch—flessh.
17. þ varies with th, passim.
18. u (in au, eu, ou) varies with w, passim; see 21.
19. u, v (= u) varies with o (esp. before m, n); as sun(ne)—sonne; but—bot(e); see also 15.
20. u, v (= ü) varies in Western texts with (i) e, eo; as erthe—(Western) eorþe, vrþe: (ii) with i, y, e; see 13.
21. w varies medially with gh, ȝ (u); as owen, own—oghne, oȝene, oune: initially (Scottish) with v; as woundit—voundit.
22. y (consonant) varies initially with ȝ; as ye—ȝe; medially with i, (i)gh, (i)ȝ; as say, se(i)gh, se(i)ȝe, saw.
23. single consonant varies with double; as sad—sadde.
24. single vowel varies with double; as breed—brede, breadth; wod—wood, mad.
GLOSSARY
A, pron. he, XIII a 27, 47, 48; they, XIII a 13, b 22, 36, 39, 61, 64, 66. [Unaccented form of ME. ha. See Hare, Ham.]
A, v. inf. have, I 127. [Reduced unaccented form of haue; see Habbe(n).]
A(n), adj. one, IV b 34; indef. art. a(n), I 22, VIII b 7, &c. See Ane, On(e).
A(n), prep. on, in, &c. II 137, III introd., 22, VIII a 43, XIII a 11, b 19, 34, &c.; a blode, with blood, XV g 16; a nyghtes, at night (OE. on niht, nihtes), VIII b 16; a þre, in three, XIII b 49 (see Ato, Atwynne); a Goddes half, for God's sake, XII b 80. [Weakened form of On, q.v.; an in III is possibly dialectal; a is used only before following consonant.] See Ane.
Abandoune, v. to abandon, resign, X 50. [OFr. abandouner.]
Abasshed, pp. perturbed, XVI 177 (note to XVI 59). [AFr. abaiss-; OFr. e(s)bair, e(s)baiss-.]
Abate, v. to lessen, XIV b 19; reduce, VIII a 209 (imper. sg.); intr. XVII 445; Abatid (of), pp. ceased, VII 104. [OFr. abatre.]
Abedde, adv. in bed, XII a 141. [OE. on bedde.] See Bedd(e).
Abhomynable, adj. abominable, XI b 90. [OFr. abominable.]
Abide, Abyde, Habide, v. (i) intr. to wait, remain, stay, II 84, IX 197, XVII 531; tarry, II 348; imper. wait!, V 149; halt!, XVI 213; (ii) trans. to await, XVII 334; withstand, endure, XIV b 31; Abode, pa. t. XIV c 68, XVII 373; Abyde, pp. in ys abyde, has survived, XIII b 50. [OE. ā-bīdan.] See Bide.
Abite, n. outward appearance, XI b 99. [OFr. (h)abit.]
Able, adj. able, VI 239, XI b 92. [OFr. (h)able.] See Vnable.
Abone, adv. above, XVII 146. See Aboue(n).
Abosted, pa. t. sg. threatened boastfully, VIII a 148. [ME. a- + Boste, q.v.]
Aboue(n), Abovin, Abuf, adv. above, overhead, on top, V 149, VII 105, 135, IX 56, X 61; on the surface, VII 160; prep. above, higher than, XI b 182, XVII 83; quasi-sb. in be at here aboue, get the upper hand of them, XIII a 61. [OE. *on-bufan, abufan.] See Abone.
Aboueseyd, adj. aforesaid, IX 307. [Prec. + pp. of Seie.]
Aboute(n), Abowte, Obout (XIV a), (i) adv. about, round, on all sides, here and there, to and fro, I 233, V 165, VIII a 297, XI b 270, XII a 143, b 117, XIV a 15, XV i 3, XVII 303, 351, &c.; round about, VII 83, &c.; round it, II 359; al aboute round, all round about, XII a 79; (ii) prep. about, round, &c. (often following n. or pron.), I 54, II 274, 284, V 95, XIV b 68, &c.; on, XI b 236; in, XI b 293, 296; about al, in all directions, II 387; aboute with for to (vnbynde), XVI 7. [OE. onbūtan, ābūtan.]
Abrod, adv. out wide, XII a 176. [OE. on + brād.]
Abuf. See Aboue.
Abugge, v. to pay for (it), VIII a 75, 159. [OE. ā-bycgan.] See Bigge.
Ac, conj. but, II 56, III 34, VIII 67, &c. [OE. ac.]
Acheue, v. achieve, VI 115. [OFr. achever.] See Cheue.
Accordandly, adv. accordingly, IV b 33. [From pres. p. of Acorde.]
Acord(e), Accord, n. agreement, VI 149, XI a 32; concurrence, united will, XVII 30; made acorde of care and me, associated me with, caused me to know, care, VI 11. [OFr. acord(e).]
Acorde(n), v. trans. to reconcile, V 337; to acorde me with, to associate myself with, V 312; intr. agree, XI b 128, XII b 145, XIII b 52. [OFr. acorder.] See Corden.
Acountes, n. pl. settlement of accounts, VIII a 83. [OFr. acont, acunt.]
Acsede. See Axe(n).
Actif, Actyf, adj. active, VIII a 245, XI b 74, 102. [OFr. actif.]
Aday, adv. in dyne aday, eat at (mid-day) meal, VIII a 303. [OE. on dæge, by day.]
Ademand, n. loadstone (magnetic iron ore), IX 123, 125, &c. [OFr. adema(u)nt, L. adamantem (acc.), properly 'diamond'. The application to 'loadstone' was due to false association with L. ad-amāre. The mediaeval 'adamant' in consequence often combined the properties of diamond and loadstone.] See Dyamand.
Admytte, v. to admit, XVII 551. [L. admittere.]
Adoun, Adown, adv. down, II 223, 435, VIII a 31, &c. [OE. of-dūne, adūne.] See Doun(e).
Adrad, pp. afraid, XII b 133; Adred, XVII 201. [OE. ofdrǣ̆dd, ofdrē̆dd, pp.] See Drede(n).
Adreynt, pp. drowned, II 397. [OE. ā-drencan, pp. ā-drenct.]
Adresced, pp.; therupon him hath adresced, has fastened himself to it, XII b 85. See Dresse. [OFr. adresser.]
Aduersouris, n. pl. adversaries, X 144. [OFr. adversier with alteration of suffix.]
Afelde, adv. to the fields, VIII a 136, 283. [OE. on felda.] See Feld(e).
Aferd(e), adj. afraid, I 4, 67, 262, VIII a 115, XVII 316, &c. [OE. ā-fǣred.] See Ferde.
Affaite, v. train, tame, VIII a 32 (note). [OFr. afait(i)er.]
Affeccyon, n. affection, (worldly) desire, IV b 52, 71. [L. affectiōn-em through OFr.]
Af(f)erme, v. affirm, IX 77, XI a 50; confirm, IX 305. [OFr. afermer.]
Affie, v. to have (faith in), XVI 29. [OFr. afier.]
Afforces (thame), pres. pl. (refl.) endeavour, IV b 20. [OFr. s'afforcer.]
Affray, n. fear, XII a 142. [OFr. e(s)frai.]
Afine, adv. to the end, II 277. [OFr. a fin.]
Afore, adv. beforehand, XVII 164. [OE. æt-foran.]
Aforth, v. to afford, VIII a 192. [OE. (late) ge-forðian, to manage.]
Afright, pp. Not afright, undeterred, XVII 541. [OE. ā-fyrht.]
After (-ir, -yr, -ur), adv. after, behind, II 378, VII 24, XVI 376, &c.; afterwards, then, VII 46, VIII a 5, &c.; be the whiche ... after, in accordance with which (mixed Fr. and E. constr.), IX 302; prep. after, next to, I 215, XI b 27, &c.; according to, IX 220, 291, XI b 189, &c.; for (after desire, ask, &c.), VII 20, VIII a 291, XV h 5, XVI 242, &c.; conj. after, XVII 148. After þan, afterwards, II 597. [OE. æfter; æfter þā̆m.]
Afterward, Aftyrward(e), &c., adv. afterwards, II 164, IV b 59, XI b 147, &c.; Efterward, III 16, 35, 38, 48. [OE. æfterweard (Kt. efter-).]
Agayn(e), Agane, adv. back, again, IV b 83, XVI 11, XVII 180, 479, &c. See Aȝayn.
Agaynes, prep. against, IV b 18, 19. [Prec. + adv. -es.] See Aȝeines.
Agaynste, prep. against, XVI 280; to loke a., to gaze on, XVI 92. [Extended from prec.]
Agast, pp. afraid, XIV c 51, XVII 184, 297; astonished, XVII 449. [a- + OE. gæsted, afflicted.] See Gastli.
Age, n. age, time of life, VI 52, XII introd.; mature age, IX 22; old age, VII 6, XIV c 106, &c. [OFr. age.]
Ago, pp. gone by, XII a 34. [OE. ā-gān.]
Agrete, adv. collectively, as a body, VI 200. [OE. on + grēat.]
Agreued (for), pp. weighed down (with), V 302; annoyed (by), I 88. [OFr. agrever.]
Aȝayn, adv. again, back, V 53, 257, 332; Aȝe, XIII a 8; Aȝein, Aȝeyn, I 230, VIII a 44, XII a 28, &c.; Aȝen, IX 132; Oȝain, II 141, 162. [OE. ongēn, ongegn.]
Aȝayn, Aȝen, Aȝein, Aye, Oȝain, prep. against, III 58, V 48, IX 19; towards (of time), II 497, XII b 18. [As prec.] See Agayn.
Aȝeines, prep. against, contrary to, VIII a 309, 311, 315; Aȝenes, XIII b 17; Aȝens, I 261, 264, VIII b 78; Aȝenus, XI a 29. [Prec. + adv. -es.] See Agaynes.
Aȝenst, prep. against, IX 92, 315, XI b 43, 46, 97. [Extended from prec.] See Agaynste.
Aȝleȝ, adj. without fear, V 267. [ON. agi + OE. -lēas.] See Awe.
A-hungrye, adj. hungry, XVII 499. [a- + OE. hungrig.]
Ai, Ay, adv. always, ever, IV a 1, 14, VII 18, X 61, XV a 10, 17, &c.; for ay, for ever, XVII 26. [ON. ei.]
Ay, n. fear, in for loue or ay, in any event, II 571. [OE. ege.]
Aye. See Aȝayn.
Ayenbyte, n. remorse. See III introd. [OE. ongēn + bite.]
Ayere, Aire, n. air, IV b 5, VII 107, 110. [OFr. air.]
Aire, n. heir, VIII b 62. [OFr. (h)eir.]
Ays. See Ese.
Aither, Ayþer, Athir, Eyþer, adj. and pron. both, VII 65; either, V 112; eyþer oþer, each other, XIII b 57; athir othir in, one in the other, X 22. [OE. ǣgþer, both; ā(w)þer, either.] See Euþer.
Ayther, Aþer, conj. or, VI 131; ayther ... or, either ... or, XVII 477. [As prec.] See Or2; Oþer, conj.
Aywhere, adv. on all sides, V 113. [OE. ǣghwǣr.]
Aketh, pres. pl. ache, VIII a 253 (see Wombe). [OE. acan.]
Akyng, n. aching, XI b 136.
Al, adj. all, I 120, II 114, III 6, &c.; Alle, I 19, &c.; pl. III 55, &c.; al(l) a(n), a whole, VII 183, VIII a 253, XIII a 32, 44, XIV c 4; al(le) maner(e), all kinds of, II 589, XI a 12 (cf. Alkyn); al(le) þing(e), see Þing; all way, weys, see Alway, Way; all it (þei, we), all of it (them, us), XV g 16, IX 104, XVII 456, &c.; here names of alle, the names of them all, I 37; of al and sum, in general and particular, in full, VI 224; as sb. all, XVI 303, &c.; every one (with sg. verb), VI 87. [OE. al(l).] See Algate, Alkyn, Alsaume, &c.
Al, All(e), adv. entirely, quite, very, I 108, II 76, V 304, VIII a 138, &c.; in comb. with To-, II 81, 106, 262, IV a 78, VII 147; with For-, II 398, XV c 29. Al away, quite away, IV a 75; al one, alone, V 87, XII a 131, b 15; al oon, all one (and the same thing), XI a 41; al to, up to (the number of), III 56; all be (were) it þat, although, IX 50, 171, 302, 312; all if, although, XVII 231. [OE. al(l).]
Al, All(e), n. all, everything, III 43, 51, &c.; about al, in all directions, II 387; ouer al, everywhere, II 208 (OE. ofer all). [OE. al(l).]
Aldai, Al day, adv. all day, V 166, XII introd. [OE. alne dæg.]
Alde. See Olde.
Alepy, adj. (a) single, I 159. [OE. ā̆nlēpig.]
Algate, adv. by all means, at any rate, I 107, II 231. [Cf. ON. alla götu, all along, always.] See Gate, n2
Algatis, adv. continually, XI a 38. [Prec. + adv. -es.]
Aliens, n. pl. foreigners, XIII b 61. [OFr. alien.]
Aliȝt, Alihte, v. to alight, II 377, XII a 76. [OE. ā-lihtan.] See Liȝt, v2
Aliri, adv. ? across one another (of legs), VIII a 116. [? Related to Lyre, n.2]
Alis, v. See Eyleþ.
Alyue, adj. living, VI 85. [OE. on līfe.]
Alkyn, adj. of all kinds, VIII a 70. [OE. *alra cynna.] See Kyn.
Allas, interj. alas! II 107, &c. [OFr. alas.]
Alleg(g)e(n), v. to cite (in support of a contention), XI b 56, XVI 277; to contend, XI b 79. [OFr. esligier, aligier, associated with unrelated L. allēgāre.]
Allowe, v. approve, receive with approval, XVI 330; Alod, pp. XVII 56 (note). [OFr. alouer, from L. allaudāre.]
Allþough, Althogh, conj. (even) though, IX 110, XII b 196, &c. [Al, adv. + Þogh, q.v.]
Allweldand, adj. almighty, XVII 494. [Cf. OE. alwáldende.]
Almes(se), n. sg. an act, or works, of charity, charitable gift or offering, VIII a 121, 140, XI b 2, 163, 270, &c.; Elmesses pl. (OKt. elmessan), III 17. [OE. ælmesse.]
Almyȝt, adj. almighty, VI 138. [OE. æl-miht.]
Almyty, -myghty, adj. almighty, VIII b 105, XV i 12. [OE. æl-mihtig.]
Alofte, adv. in the air, aloft, V 220, XII a 94, &c. [ON. á loft.] See Lofte.
Alod, pp. See Allowe.
Alone, adj. alone, XVII 489; see Al, adv.
Als, adv. also, as well, V 292, VIII a 148, X 8, 11, XVII 126, 127. [Reduced form of Also, q.v.]
Als, Alss, conj. as (esp. in als ... as, as ... as), like, IV a 2, 63, 84, b 86, VIII a 37, &c.; as for instance, like, XVI 306, 308, 311; as, while, IV b 43, XV a 4; als ... þat, so ... that, IX 151; als b(i)liue, as quickly (as possible), straightway, II 531, 584. [As prec.] See As.
Alsaume, adv. (all) together, 198. [Cf. ON. allir saman.] See Sam(e), adv.
Also, Alsua (X), adv. also, as well, I 35, II 144, X 33, &c.; conj. like, II 508; also bliue, also spac, also swiþe, as quickly (as possible), straightway, II 142, 343, 574. [OE. al-swā.] See Als, As.
Al(l)way, -wey, adv. always, (for) ever, continually, XIII a 3, b 63, XVI 150, 168, &c.; in any case, certainly, XVI 164. [OE. alne weg.] See Algate(s).
Am, 1 sg. pres. ind. am, V 90, &c.; coalescing with prec. pron. in Icham, Ycham (q.v.). [OE. am.] See Ar, Art, Is, &c.
Amaistrien, v. to master, control, VIII a 205. [OFr. amaistrier.]
Amang, adv. in the meanwhile, XVII 247; Emang, at times, from time to time, XVI 262, 301. [OE. on-(ge)máng.] See Amonge.
Ame, v. to guess; as y kan ame, I guess, I 45. [OFr. aesmer, amer.]
Amend(e), v. to make better, reform, set right, VIII a 268, IX 338, XI a 48, XVII 256. [OFr. amender.] See Mend(e).
Amendement, n. improvement, cure, I 238, II 200, VIII a 132. [OFr. amendement.]
Amercy, v. to fine, VIII a 40. [OFr. amercier.]
Amidde, prep. in the middle of, II 355. [OE. on-middan.]
Amiddes, adv. in the midst, XII a 170; prep. (from) among, II 191. [Prec. + adv. -es.]
Amys, adv. amiss, VIII a 322. [ON. á miss.] See Mysse.
Amoner, n. almoner, alms-giver, III 16. [OFr. au-moner.]
Among(e), prep. among, II 220, VIII a 89, &c.; Emang, Emong, XVII 112; (follows noun) XVII 400. [OE. on-(ge)máng.] See Amang, Mong.
Amonges, prep. amongst, II 306, VII 37, &c. [Prec. + adv. -es.]
Amorwe, adv. on the next day, II 181, 497. [OE. on morgene.]
An, And, Ant, conj. and, I 254, VIII a 205, XI a 1, XV b 11, d 2, e 6, g 25, 26, i 5, &c.; an te, and the, XV e 19; if, II 43, VI 200, 238, VIII a 250, XIII a 44, b 39, XIV c 14, 103, XVI 208 (even if), XVII 297, 502. On postponement of and in Gower see note to XII a 26. [OE. and.]
Ancres, n. pl. anchorites, religious recluses, VIII a 139. [OE. ā̆ncra.]
Andzuerede. See Ansuere.
Ane, indef. art. a, X 5, 16, 31, &c.; representing older inflected forms, III 11 (first), 13, 49; adj. one, a single, IV a 58, X 157; (predicatively) one, united, IV a 56; pron. one, IV b 1, 43; a certain person, IV a 69, X 169. See A(n), On(e).
Ane, prep. on; ane his lhordes haf, on his master's behalf, III 11. [From OE. on, an, on anal. of in, inne.]
Anely, adv. only, IV b 81. [OE. ānlic, adj.] See Onely.
Anewe, adv. once more, XV a 22. [a- + OE. nēowe.]
Angelis. See Aungel.
Anger, n. grief, V 276. [ON. angr, grief.]
Angré, adj. angry, XVII 187. [From prec.]
Angwys, n. grief, IV b 28, [OFr. anguisse.]
Ani, Any, adj. any, I 2, 18, II 528, &c. [OE. ǣnig.] See Eny, Ony.
Animal, n. animal, II 364. [OFr. animal.]
Anodir. See Anoþire.
Anoynt, v. to smear, XVII 127. [Formed on OFr. enoint pp. of enoindre.]
Anon(e), adv. at once, straightway, next, II 385, 499, VI 224, XVII 490, 526, &c.; Onone, VII 149, XVII 275. [OE. on ān.]
Anothire, Anoþer, adj. and pron. another, IV b 3, 34, IX 37, &c.; Anoþur, XIV c 27; Anouþer, I 140; Anodir, XVI 87. [OE. ān + ōþer.]
Anouȝ. See Ynoȝ.
*Anowrned, pp. adorned, II 363 (MS. anowed). [OFr. aourner; ? a- to an- on anal. of E. alternation a-, an-.]
Ansuer(e), Answere, v. to answer, III 5, 25, IX 178, XII b 76; Andzuerede, pa. t. III 33. [OE. an(d)swerian.]
Answar, n. answer, VI 158. [OE. an(d)swaru.]
Ant. See An, conj.
Antifeners, n. pl. antiphonaries, XI b 229 (note). [OFr. antiphonier.]
Apayed, pp. pleased, satisfied, VIII a 102, 189. [OFr. apaier.] See Paie.
Apassed, pp. as prep. past, VI 180. [OFr. apasser.]
Ap(p)ere, Appiere, v. to appear, VI 45, XII a 132, XVI 368, XVII 173. [OFr. aper-; apareir.]
Ap(p)eyre, v. to do harm to, injure, impair, VIII a 126, 164, 212, XIII b 14; Apeyryng, n. impairing, XIII b 15. [OFr. empeirer.] See Empeyre.
Apert, adj. plain, V 324; adv. openly, plainly, I 200, VI 229; for all to see, II 586. [OFr. apert.]
Apon. See Vpon.
Aposede, pa. t. put a (hard) question to, VIII b 10. [OFr. oposer, aposer.]
Apostel, n. apostle, XI a 12, b 15, 99, 273, &c. [OE. apostol.] See Posteles.
Apparaille, v. to dress, VIII a 59. [OFr. aparailler.]
Apparale, n. preparations, apparatus, gear, X 3, 14, 44, 119. [OFr. aparail.]
Apparence, n. appearance, XII a 127. [OFr. ap(p)arence.]
Appetit (to), n. desire, appetite (for), VIII a 261, IX 15, XII a 87. [OFr. apetit.]
Appiereth. See Ap(p)ere.
Approprid, pp. assigned as personal property, XI b 97. [OFr. aproprier.]
Aquit, pp. requited, XII b 138, 197. [OFr. aquiter.]
Ar, conj. before (usually with subj.), VIII a 93, 196, 258, 261, 269, XV g 33, &c. [OE. ǣr, and with weak stress æ̆r(?).] See Are; Er(e), adv.; Or.
Ar(e), pres. ind. pl. are, IV b 18, V 9, 27, &c.; Aren, VIII a 268, 270, &c.; Arn(e), II 13, VI 24, 42, &c. [OE. (Nth.) aron.] See Art, Er(e), Ben, &c.
Aray, n. array, X 68; rank, estate, VI 131; of aray, stately, XVII 539 (or grete of aray, great in magnificence). [OFr. arei.]
Arayed, pp. arranged, XIII a 1. [OFr. areyer.]
Aratede, pa. t. rebuked, VIII b 11. [Unknown.]
Archidekenes, n. pl. archdeacons, VIII b 75. [OE. ærce-diacon, OFr. archedekne.] See Dyacne.
Are, adv. before, I 93, XVI 38, 98, 345. [ON. ár (? late Nth. ar); but see Ar, conj.]
Arered, pp. raised, set up, XIII a 11, 13, &c. [OE. ā-rǣran.]
Arȝe (wyth), v. to be terrified, quail (at), V 203, 209, 233. [OE. eargian.]
Aryȝt, adv. rightly, right well, XIII b 46; Ariht, XII a 67, XIV c 61. [OE. on-riht, ariht.]
Arise, Aryse, v. to arise, rise, get up, come to pass, II 311, VIII a 112, 261, 319, b 15; Aros, pa. t. sg. II 318, XV g 1 (note). [OE. ā-rīsan.]
Arm(e), n. arm, I 112, VII 162, &c.; embrace, XII a 161. [OE. earm.]
Armes, n. pl. arms, weapons, (knightly) warfare, II 182, IX 109, &c. [OFr. armes.]
Armyt, Armed, pp. armed, II 395, X 7, 37, &c.; Y-armed, II 136, 184, 292. [OFr. armer.]
Arn(e). See Ar(e), v.
Arryuen, Aryue, v. to come to land, IX 184; to come (to a destination), VI 87. [OFr. arriver.]
Art, 2 sg. pres. ind. art, I 202, 204, II 422, &c.; Artow, art thou, II 421 (see Þou); Ert, VIII b 34. [OE. eart.]
Artetykes, adj. pl. arthritic, accompanied with inflammation of the joints, IX 314. See Gowtes. [OFr. artetique, corruptly from L. arthrīticus.]
Arwes, n. pl. arrows, IX 258. [OE. earh.]
As(e), conj. as, I 24, II 290, III 48, &c.; as ... as (foll. by accus.), XVII 19; as that, as, XVII 182; as hys desserte, according to his deserts, VI 235; even as, seeing that, XVII 427, 552; as euer, as sure as ever, XVII 237, 395; so (in oaths, &c.), V 55, &c.; as if (usually with subj.) I 31, 121, 195, II 108, 402, V 106, 133, 134, 189, 194, 221, 326, VII 45; as relative particle, I introd., XVII 325; as swyþe, tyte, straightway, I 111, XVII 219. [Further reduced from Als, q.v.]
Asalis. See Assaylle.
Askes, n. pl. ashes, XIII a 4. [OE. axe.]
Aske(n), Aski (II), v. to ask for, demand, I 131, II 450, 467, VI 220, &c.; require, VIII b 71; inquire, I 132, IX 176. [OE. ā̆xian.] See Axe(n).
Aspien, Asspye, v. to detect, observe, VIII a 123, 217, XI a 60; Aspide, pa. t. III 42. [OFr. espier.] See Spie.
Assai, Assay, n. test, trial; at assai, when put to the test, XIV c 5; set in, till, hard(e) assay, place in sore straits, X 62, 170, 188. [OFr. essai, assai.]
Assaie, Assay(e), Asay, v. to test, prove, make trial, II 452, 568, V 294, IX 61, 102, 121, XIV c 66, XVII 219, 249, 433; to endeavour, VIII a 24, XII b 81. [OFr. essayer.] See Saye.
Assaylle, As(s)ale, Assa(i)lȝe (X), v. to assail, attack, IX 88, X 4, 12, 43, 114, 132, 144, XVII 295, &c.; Assaling, n. assault, X 41, 60. [OFr. as(s)aillir.]
Asse, n. ass, XV f 5, &c. [OE. assa.]
Assemblid (to), pa. t. assembled (at), VII 85. [OFr. assembler.]
Assembly, n. joining of battle, VII 57. [OFr. assemblee.]
Assende, v. to ascend, XVI 32. [OFr. ascendre.]
Assent, pp. sent for, XII b 208. See Of-sende.
As(s)ente, n. agreement; compliance, VI 31; of þare assente, of like mind with them, XVI 310. [OFr. asente.]
Assent(e), v. to agree, VIII a 39, 57; pp. XVI 170. [OFr. asentir.]
Assoylled, pp. absolved, IX 286. [OFr. assoillir.]
Asspye. See Aspien.
As(s)tate, n. estate, (high) rank, VI 33, 130, VII 21. [OFr. estat.] See State.
Astrangled, pp. choked, II 396. [OFr. estrangler.]
Asunder, -yr, adv. apart, I 224; pleon. with parte, I 103. [OE. on-sundran.] See Sonder.
Aswon(e), adj. in a swoon, I 195 (note), II 549. [OE. geswōgen.] See Falle(n); Swone.
At, prep. at, I 13, 74, &c.; in, VII 66, VIII a 63; IX 253; at wordes, in words, II 139; (of time) V 23, 100, IX 284, XI a 12; to, V 108, VII 13; with infin. (at do), see Do; according to, I 82, II 271, XIV b 56, XVI 258, XVII 4, 322; at the value of, VIII a 162, b 101, XVII 364; at the hands of, from, I 239, 240, 245, II 179, III 4, 31 (see Atte). At on, at one, in accord, VI 18; at þe full, completely, XI b 198; haue at þe, see Habbe(n). [OE. æt.] See Atte; Þare.
At, rel. particle; þat at, that which, what, VI 176 (note); quhar at, see Whar. [ON. at; þat at is possibly for þat tat (cf. Atte, Þou, &c.).]
Ate. See Atte.
Atempree, adj. temperate, IX 29. [OFr. atempré.]
Aþer, Athir. See Aither, Ayther.
At-hold, v. to restrain, II 88. [OE. æt- + háldan.]
Atire, n. apparel, II 299. [From next.]
Atire, v.; Atird, pp. equipped, II 158. [OFr. atir(i)er.] See Tired.
Atled, pa. t. intended, V 195. [ON. ǽtla.]
Ato, adv. in two, apart, II 125, IX 140; Atwo, VIII a 97. [OE. on twā.] See A(n) prep.; Tuo.
Atour, n. apparatus, equipment, X 125. [OFr. atour(n).]
Atourned, pp. equipped, II 291. [OFr. atourner.]
Atrete, adv. straight out, plainly, XIV c 78. [OFr. a trait.]
Atslyke, v. to slip away; atslykeȝ, is spent, VI 215. [OE. æt- + slīcan.]
Atte, Ate, at the, II 232, 379, III 4, VIII a 96, b 29; of the, III 31; in fixed expressions where Mn. E. has 'at', as: atte chirche, VIII a 50; at(t)e firste, last(e), mete, see Furste, Laste, Mete; atte nale = atten (OE. æt þam) ale, over the ale, VIII a 109. See At.
Atteynte, v. to convict, prove guilty, XVI 278. [From ateint, convicted, pp. of OFr. ateindre. See next.]
Atteny, v. to reach, VI 188. [OFr. ateign-, stem of ateindre.]
Atwynne, adv. in two, I 189, 191. [OE. on + twinn.]
Atwo, Avay. See Ato, Awai.
Avayll, Avale, v. to be of use to, XVII 154; it avalis you, (it) is your best course, XVII 296. [a- + OFr. vail-, valeir.]
Avale, Availl (X), v. intr. to descend, IX 195; trans. to let down, X 28. [OFr. avaler.]
Avauntage, n. advantage, XIII b 35, 36. [OFr. avantage.]
Auctorité, n. authority, XI b 61. [OFr. au(c)torité.]
Auctour, n. original authority, author, IX 304; Autours, pl. XI a 23. [OFr. autour, and (from 14th c.) auctour, &c.]
Audience, n. formal hearing, audience, XII b 209. [OFr. audience.]
Aue Maria, an Ave, Hail Mary, IX 323. [First two words of Latin prayer.]
Auentur(e), Auentour, n. chance, (notable) occurrence, feat, II 15, 18, 32, &c.; risk, X 118; an auenture, (as conj.) in case, VIII a 43; at auentur, as chance directed, recklessly, XIV c 34. [OFr. aventure.] See Aunter.
Aueril, n. April, XV c 1. [OFr. avril.]
Auȝt. See Owe, v.
Avys, n. deliberation, IX 295, 297. [OFr. avis.]
Avised, pp.; wel avised, judicious, XII b 217. [OFr. aviser.]
Aungel(l), n. angel, IV a 46, XI b 23, XVI 339, 389; Angel, XI b 152, &c. [OFr. a(u)ngel.]
Aunsetris, n. pl. ancestors, men of former days, VII 5. [OFr. ancestre, nom. sg.]
Aunter, n. chance, event, VII 5, 67, 155. [As Auentur; but due to older and more popular borrowing.]
Auter(e), n. altar, I 74, 76. [OFr. auter.]
Autours. See Auctour.
Auþer. See Oþer, adv. and conj.
Awai, Away(e), Awei(e), Awey(e), adv. away, VIII a 184, XII b 132, &c.; Avay, X 58, 187; Oway, II 192, 261, 329; Owy (in rime), II 96, 491, 561; don awei, abolished, XI b 206; wanne awaye, rescued, XVI 171; predic., gone, over, II 59 (oway), XVII 537. [OE. on-weg, aweg; ? with owy, cf. rare OE. wig.]
Awake, v. intr. to be aroused, wake up, II 77, VIII a 318, b 1, &c.; trans. to wake, II 73; Awake, pp. wakened, XV g 14. [OE. ā-wæcnan, str.; ā-wacian, wk.; both intr.] See Forwake, Wackenet, Wake.
Awangelys, n. pl. gospels, XV i 6. [L. ēvangelium.] See Euaungelistis.
Awe. See Owe, v.
Awe, n. fear; for Crystys awe, for fear of Christ, I 83. [ON. agi.] See Aȝleȝ.
Awede, v. go mad, II 87; Awedde, pp. (gone) mad, II 400. [OE. ā-wēdan.] See Wode, adj.
Aweyward, adv. (turned) in the opposite direction, XIII a 35. [OE. onweg + adv. -ward.]
Awen, Awne. See Owen, adj.
Awenden, pa. t. pl. thought, XV g 17. [a- + OE. wēnan.] See Wene(n).
Awharf, pa. t. sg. turned aside, V 152. [OE. ā-hweorfan.]
Aworthe. See Yworth.
Awreke (of), v. to avenge (on), VIII a 166; Awroke, pp. VIII a 195. [OE. ā-wrecan.] See Wreke.
Ax, n. axe, V 155, XIV e 1, &c. [OE. æx.]
Axe(n), v. to ask, demand, inquire (of), VIII a 291, XI b 207, XII a 145, &c.; Acsede, pa. t. III 4, 25, 31. [OE. ā̆xian.] See Aske(n).
Babelynge, n. babbling, XI b 84. [Echoic; cf. Blabre.]
Bad(de). See Bidde.
Bagge, n. wallet (for food), VIII b 54. [ON. baggi.]
Bayarde, n. bay horse (as typical horse name); þat was bake for B. = coarse horse-bread, VIII a 187. [OFr. baiard.] See Bred.