slaysleyn.1
/sleɪ/, U.S. /sleɪ/ An instrument used in weaving to beat up the weft; = reed n.1 11.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > weaving > loom > reed or slay
slayc1050
reed1595
raddle1648
niffler1752
evener1785
ravel1805
sniffle1805
separator1831
rave1888
shed-stick1910
shed-rod1968
α.
β. 1338 in D. Rock Textile Fabrics (S. Kensington Mus.) (1870) Introd. p. cxi Item in j slay pro textoribus viij d.c1340 Nominale (Skeat) 340 A webbe..Wouyn thorue slay Made of yrede (sic) and of birche.1404 26 Polit. Poems 15 At þe last it goþ,..As ende of web out of slay.1442 Rolls of Parl. V. 60/2 The Slayes and Yern therto belangyng.1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 791 To weue in the stoule sume were full preste, With slaiis, with tauellis, with hedellis well drest.1591–2 Proclamation 20 Jan. Some by using of false slaies, and false weauing of their clothes, making the muster ende thereof..closely wouen.1602 in F. Collins Wills & Admin. Knaresborough Court Rolls (1902) I. 241 My new lynnen loame with all the slayes.1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 53 Thou mayest have the Looms, Wheels, and Slayes at first out of Germany and from Haerlem.1717 S. Croxall in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Metamorphoses vi. 178 The woof and warp..press'd by the toothy slay.1806 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 4 773 The slay, or file of reeds, with which the weaver approximates the threads of shoot.1879 T. R. Ashenhurst Pract. Treat. Weaving & Designing Textile Fabrics (1893) 305 There are numerous rules and formulae..for determining the setting of warps in the slay.c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 188 Insubula, webbeamas. Percussorium, slege.
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 601 Pecten,..a sleye.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 13 A sley.
1599 J. Minsheu Percyvall's Dict. Spanish & Eng. at Lízos para texér The owfe or threed..which the sleie doth weaue vp and downe.
1615 G. Markham Eng. House-wife (1668) ii. v. 128 Warp is spun close..because it runs through the sleies.
1656 tr. J. A. Comenius Latinæ Linguæ Janua Reserata: Gate Lat. Tongue Unlocked xxxviii. §387 [He] weaveth the woof into the warp, & with the sley drawn-to thickeneth the linen cloath.
1701 Minute Bk. New Mills Cloth Manuf. (S.H.S.) 238 800 Spanish Reids long lithed for broad lomb sleas.
1796 Trans. Soc. Arts 14 278 The sleigh is made in the same manner as stocking-frame sleighs are made.
1890 R. Beaumont Woollen & Worsted Cloth Manuf. (ed. 2) 139 The sley is fixed vertically in the going-part of the loom.
1894 H. Caine Manxman 368 Rocking the child..to and fro like the sleigh of a loom.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations, as slay-hook, slay-maker.
ΚΠ
1583 in T. P. Wadley Notes Wills Orphan Bk. Bristol (1886) 236 John Wallys, slaymaker and weaver.
1723 London Gaz. No. 6196/8 John Rew, late of Exon, Slea-maker.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 734/1 The warp..is drawn through the reed by an instrument called a sley or reed hook.
C2. † slay-bred n. Obsolete (see quot. 14.. and bred n.).
slay-bar n. the reed of a stocking-frame, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > knitting > knitting machine > parts of
sinkerc1689
jack sinkera1749
Jack1750
slur1796
needle1829
slay-bar1843
verge1854
ribber1877
thread-carrier1877
1843 Mechanics' Mag. 39 428 The sley bar has a new and peculiar motion given to it for bringing the work over the needle heads.
slay-block n. the beam of the slay of a loom.
ΚΠ
1895 R. Marsden Cotton Weaving 166 At the top it is retained in position by the slay-cap, at the bottom by a similar groove in the slay-block.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > condition of being broad in relation to thickness > [noun] > slab or tablet
tilea725
tableeOE
breda1000
slabc1290
slay-bred14..
tablet?1440
14.. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 591 Lama, sley~brede.
slay-cap n. the grooved strip of wood for holding the reed in position in the slay of a loom.
ΚΠ
1895 R. Marsden Cotton Weaving 166 At the top it is retained in position by the slay-cap, at the bottom by a similar groove in the slay-block.
slay sword n. each of the supports upon which the slay of a loom oscillates during the process of weaving.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > weaving > loom > reed or slay > support for
slay sword1895
1895 R. Marsden Cotton Weaving v. 166 The shaft is cranked, and by means of arms from these cranks is attached to the ‘slay’ or lathe..which oscillates upon the ‘slay-swords’.
1963 A. J. Hall Student's Handbk. Textile Sci. iii. 142 This reed is fastened to the sley sword S, which is pivoted..so that as required it can swing to and from position X after the insertion of each weft thread.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† slayn.2
Obsolete. rare.
Some kind of fabric.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > other textile fabrics > [noun]
renciana1300
maidenhair1359
caryc1394
spinal1399
whitefolding1423
care1429
radevorec1430
queen's clothc1450
basselan1453
Brunswick1480
ragmas1480
haberjetc1503
redvorea1525
stockbridge1526
demigraine1540
fledge1542
pinned white1552
satin-reverses1554
beverneck1567
scamato1569
messellawny1604
brogetie1610
novato1614
fugeratta1638
barrateen1689
tamarine1691
masquerade1696
calandring1697
succatoon1703
russerine1710
stade1714
Chuckla1721
long ell1725
slay1745
vilderoy1769
succota1780
minorque1794
zebra1829
grising1866
Turkoman1881
cameline1886
lyocell1990
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 58 The plunder..consisted in..fine Linens and Woollens, Britannia's, Slays, and the like.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
slayv.1
/sleɪ/, U.S. /sleɪ//sluː/; past participle slain /sleɪn/;α. Old English–Middle English slean, Middle English sclean, Middle English sclein, Middle English slæn, Middle English sleen, Middle English slen, Middle English slene. c8881 [see sense 3]. a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1086 Nan man ne dorste slean oðerne man.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8040 Herode..Let slæn þa little barrness.a1225 Juliana 49 Þe an to sclein þen oþer.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 3943 Raþir ich wolle þe slean.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3729 Ðor ðrette god hem alle to slen.c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (1868) ii. pr. vi. 53 Busirides þat was wont to sleen hys gestes.c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 459/1 Slen, or kyllyn beestys.a1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cviii. x The Christen folke [they] did brenne, wast and slene.
β. Middle English scle, Middle English sclee, Middle English slæ, Middle English–1500s sle, Middle English–1500s slea, Middle English–1500s slee. c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxiv. 49 [He] ongann slae heafudlinges his.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8958 Þu scalt beien slæ [c1300 Otho slen] þer.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 16052 Þou lettest slea Constance.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 223 Ham uor to slea.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 4392 Þat wife..þoȝt him to slee.c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 15576 We schal scle hem In fight.c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 816 Þouȝe men wold sclee hym.1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 23 I shal slee my self.a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 25 It were beste for vs to sle hym.a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iv. viii. sig. H.jv She shall not slee mee.1575 R. B. Apius & Virginia sig. Eijv He..did slea him selfe out right.1587 M. Grove Pelops & Hippodamia (1878) 28 He thinks to slea..his daughter.
γ. northern and Scottish Old English–Middle English slaa, Old English–Middle English slan, Old English–1600s sla, Middle English scla, Middle English slane, 1500s–1600s slae, 1500s–1600s slea. c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xii. 45 [He] onginneð..slaa ða cnæhtas.c975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. xxiv. 49 [He] onginnaþ slan efnþeu his.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 19921 To slan þatt mann.a1300 Cursor Mundi 832 Þe strang þe weker for to sla.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13952 Þan soght þai iesu for to slan.c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 48 We purpos to slaa þam alle.c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 147 He may sla him at his awin will.a1525 Crying ane Playe 123 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 153 Amang þaim Is bot tak & sla.?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. Pref. 348 To slea the sanctis of God.1603 Philotus civ. sig. D4 Themselues to sla.1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 40 That the husband did slea hir.1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 40 That he did not slae hir.
δ. Middle English sclo, Middle English slon, Middle English slone, Middle English–1500s slo, Middle English–1500s sloo, Middle English–1600s sloe. a1300 Havelok 512 He may me waiten for to slo.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1328 Abraham..was redi to slon him.c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 844 Fader & moder scholde he sloo.a1400 Launfal 837 To..dampny hym to sclo.c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 274/2 Kyllyn, or slone.c1489 J. Skelton Dethe Erle of Northumberlande l. 35 in Poet. Wks. (1843) I. 7 To slo their owne lord.a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Giiiv Who knoweth me, hymselfe may neuer sloo.a1585 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xxxiv. 13 To slo me, but offence.
ε. Middle English slaȝe, Middle English slayn, Middle English–1500s slaye, Middle English–1600s sley, Middle English– slay, 1500s slaie, 1500s sleay, 1500s sleye. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 8 Þou ne sselt slaȝe nenne man.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 139 Some wole..sley sheep of Holy Chirche.a1400–50 Alexander (Dublin) 1766 I sall..slaye þe with my handez.c1460 Promptorium Parvulorum (Winch.) Kyllyn, or slayn.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 205 [He] bad him..byrn and slay.a1535 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1876) 405 So death doth sleay their soules.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. iv. B Who so fyndeth me, shal slaye me.1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxixv To go and slaie them.
2. Present indicative. a. 1st singular (also subjunctive) Old English slea, Middle English slæ, Middle English sle, 1500s slaye, 1500s slee, 1500s sley, 1500s sleye, 1600s– slay. c825 Vesp. Hymns vii. 77 Ic..slea & ic gehaelu.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxvi. 31 Ic slæ hiorde.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1967 Ær ich þe slæ mid mine spere.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 7632 Þat i him sle it es noght gode.c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xvi. 43 Better it were..or I slee thee. b. 2nd singular.α. Old English slaes, Old English sles, Middle English slaas, Middle English slees, Middle English slos. c825 Vesp. Psalter cxxxviii. 19 Hweðer sles ðu..synfulle.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xviii. 23 Forhuon mec slaes ðu?a1300 E.E. Psalter cxxxviii. 18 If þou slaas..sinful.a1300 Havelok 2706 Þat þou..mine gode knihtes slos.
β. Old English slægst, Old English slehst, Middle English slast, Middle English sleast, Middle English sleest, 1500s– slayest, 1500s– slay'st (poetic). a900 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 79 Gif ðu slehst.c975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. xxiii. 37 Þu þe slægst witga.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6752 Þa slast tu..þin aȝhenn flæsh.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 5017 Ȝif þou sleast þine broþer. ▸ c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxiii. 37 Jerusalem, that sleest prophetis.c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 46 Þou sleest him in þat þou wythdrawyst fro him his lyving.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. xxiii. 37 Thou that slayest the prophetes.
c. 3rd singular.α. Old English slæhð, Old English sliehð, Old English slihð, Old English slyhð, Middle English slehð, Middle English slekþ. c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xlvi. 347 Ðonne hit mon sliehð [v.r. slihð].c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) i. xvi. 78 Seo halige æ mid deaðe slæhð [v.r. slyhð].c1160 Hatton Gosp. Luke vi. 29 Þam þe þe slehð on þam wange.1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1527 He slekþ hym þat trowyþ hys lesyng.
β. Old English slaes, Old English slaeð, Old English sleð, Middle English slað, Middle English sleað, Middle English slees, Middle English sleeþ, Middle English sles, Middle English slese, Middle English sleþ, Middle English slethe, Middle English–1500s sleeth, Middle English–1500s sleth, 1600s sleas. c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxvii. 34 Ðonne he sleð hie.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. v. 39 Gif hua ðec slaes in suiðra ceica.c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke vi. 29 Seðe ðec slaeð on cece.c1230 Hali Meid. 29 Cwalm slað [Bodl. sleað] þat ahte.a1300 Cursor Mundi 29386 [He] þat sles his fo.c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13890 As þe lyon..sleþ þe best.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 90 Shrifte of mouth sleeth synne.1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. 18 He that slethe the creature.1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. 18 Who so sleth any man.1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. PPPiii The lawe sleeth the gylty man.1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xv. f. 28 He that sleeth his prynce.
γ. northern and Scottish Middle English slas, Middle English slase, Middle English slaþ, Middle English sloð, Middle English sloys, Middle English–1500s slaes, Middle English–1500s slais. c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2092 He slaþ hiss aȝhenn sawle.c1220 Bestiary 431 Þer he us sloð.a1300 Cursor Mundi 29348 He slas him-seluen.a1400–50 Alexander 3883 He..Slaes of þa serpentis many..hundreth.c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 88 It slas þe souerayn vertu.a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 29386 Him þat slase Preste or clerk.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 22 He that sloys [the], yong or old. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 112 Evir quhill he be slane he slais.1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 2 (margin) He slaes the Jnglismen.
δ. Middle English slaȝþ, Middle English sleith, Middle English–1500s sleyth, 1500s slayeth (now poetic), 1500s sleayeth, 1500s sleythe, 1500s–1600s slayes, 1500s–1600s slayis (Scottish), 1600s– slays. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 34 He..himzelue slaȝþ.c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) l. 6673 Who sleith eny man with wille.a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 143 Who-So sleyth, he shal be slayne.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Gen. iv. C Who so euer slayeth Cain.1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 348 In fine it sleayeth the partie.a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iv. iii. 434 He slayes Moe then you Rob.
d. Plural.α. Old English–Middle English sleað, Middle English sclee, Middle English scleen, Middle English sleen, Middle English slees (northern), Middle English slen, Middle English–1500s sle, Middle English–1500s slea, Middle English–1500s slee. c8881 [see sense 3]. a1200 Vices & Virtues 61 [They] sleað here auȝene saule.1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1349 Þey sle hem alle.1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) 2 Kings xvii. 26 Lo! liouns sleen hem.c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xxviii. 288 Theise Serpentes slen men.1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus Poysones which slee.
β. Middle English slaȝe, Middle English slaȝeð, 1500s slaye, 1500s sleye, 1600s– slay. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 51 Þenne slaȝe we ure sunne.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 53 Heo slaȝeð heore aȝene saule.1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Esdras iv. 5 They..slaye (other men) them selues.1611 Bible (King James) 1 Esdras iv. 5 They slay and are slaine.
γ. (also subjunctive) Middle English sla, Middle English slaa, Middle English slo, Middle English sloe. a1300 E.E. Psalter lxi. 3 Vnto yhe sla.a1400–50 Alexander 3198 Slaa ȝe me þus sudanly?a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 16328 Till þat þei þe slo.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 487 Thai sla our folk.
3. Present subjunctive (2nd and 3rd singular).α. Old English slae, Middle English slea, Middle English slee, Middle English–1500s sle. a901 Laws Alfred (Liebermann) Pref. §16 Gif hwa slea his ðone nehstan mid stane.c975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. v. 39 Gif hwa ðec slae.c1000 Ælfric Exodus xxi. 15 Se þe slea his fæder.c1325 Prose Ps. cxxxviii. 18 Ȝif þou sle þe synȝers. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xiii. 15 If he sle me.
β. northern Middle English sla, Middle English slo. a1300 in Old Eng. Misc. 200/5 Loke þat tu ne sla na man.a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 34 Er þou me slo.c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 61 Suffre þat he sla.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 22 I will that no man other slo.
γ. 1500s slaye, 1500s– slay. ▸ ?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 118 That..No wicht ane vther sla.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Deut. xix. 6 Lest the auenger..slaye him.a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iv. iv. 24 If he slay me He does faire Iustice.
4. Imperative.α. Old English sleage, Old English sleah, Old English sleh, Old English slyh, Middle English sle, Middle English slea, Middle English sleih, Middle English slygh, Middle English–1500s slee, 1500s sley. c825 Vesp. Psalter lviii. 12 Ne sleh ðu hie.c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) x. 19 Ne slyh þu.a1200 Vices & Virtues 67 Ne sleih, ne ne stell.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 153 Slea wið dedbote.c1325 Prose Ps. lviii. 11 Lord, ne sle hem nouȝt.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. iii. 264 What þow fyndest þere, slee it.a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 162 Go thou and Sle the Synners.c1500 Lyfe Roberte Deuyll 541 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 240 Slea me, she sayde.1539 Bible (Great) Luke xix. 27 Slee them before me. plural Old English slæh, Old English slæð, Old English slea, Old English sleað, Middle English scleaþ, Middle English sleaþ, Middle English sleeth, Middle English sleeþ, Middle English sleoþ, Middle English sles (northern), Middle English sleth. OE Andreas (1932) 1300 Sleað synnigne ofer seolfes muð, folces gewinnan!c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14335 Slæð..al þat ȝe findeð.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 4222 Sleoþ ham mid swerde.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4855 Sleþ hom hastiliche anon.c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 1163 Spares non, bot sles on fast.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. i. 16 If it be a maal, sleeth hym.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6634 Sles vp ȝone caytifes.
β. (a) singular Middle English slo, Middle English–1500s sla, 1600s sloe (Scottish); (b) plural Middle English slas, Middle English slays, Middle English slo, Middle English slos. c1160 Hatton Gosp. Luke iii. 14 Ne sla ge nanne man.a1300 Havelok 2596 Slos up-on þe dogges.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3505 Ne slo ð u nogt.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6634 Slas vþ yon caitefs.a1400 R. Brunne's Chron. Wace (Petyt MS.) (Rolls) 1163 Spares non bot slo all faste.1611 W. Mure Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 10 Save then or sloe ane captiue.
γ. 1500s slaye, 1600s– slay. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judges viii. 20 Stonde vp, & slaye them.1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings iii. 27 In no wise slay it.
5. Past indicative.α. (a) 1st and 3rd singular Old English slog, Old English slogh, Old English–Middle English sloh, Middle English slo, Middle English sloch, Middle English slog, Middle English sloȝ, Middle English sloȝe, Middle English slogh, Middle English sloghe, Middle English sloght, Middle English slohw, Middle English slooȝ, Middle English sloþ. OE Beowulf 421 Þær ic..slog niceras nihtes.OE Beowulf 1565 He..yrringa sloh.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3590 Dauiþþ king sloh goliat.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 1290 Manie he sloþ.a1300 E.E. Psalter c. 9 I slogh with hand Alle þe sinful.c1325 Prose Ps. c. 9 Ich sloȝe..alle þe synȝers. ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xxvii. 7 As he slooȝ the slayne men.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) (heading) l. 1045 His aune broþer abel he slohw.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6120 Þat he ne slo an.c1450 Mirk's Festial 193 He yn þat maner sloch hymself.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 24 The same is he that slo his brother.a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 23 I slogh my brother this same day.c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9728 Deffibus..oure folk sloght. (b) 2nd singular Old English sloge, Middle English sloȝe. c825 Vesp. Psalter iii. 8 Ðu sloge alle wiðerbrocan.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 5486 Þa þu sloȝe Asclepidiot. (c) plural Old English slogan, Old English slogen, Old English slogun, Old English–Middle English slogon, Middle English sloȝe, Middle English sloȝen, Middle English slogh, Middle English sloghe, Middle English sloghen, Middle English sloȝhen. c893 tr. Orosius Hist. i. x. 46 Þa wif..slogon þa hysecild.971 Blickl. Hom. 23 Hie hine..mid bradre hand slogan.1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1138 [They] sloghen suithe micel of his genge.a1300 K. Horn 195 Hi sloȝen..Cristenemen inoȝe.a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxvii. 5 Þe iowes sloghe crist.a1400–50 Alexander (Dublin) 3213 Þees warryd wightez..Þat Sloghen [v.r. sloȝe] so þair souerent.
β. (a) singular Middle English sclou, Middle English sclow, Middle English sclowe, Middle English sloow, Middle English slou, Middle English sloue, Middle English slow, Middle English slowe. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2173 Seoððen þu hine slowe [c1300 Otho aslowe].1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 458 Corineus..slou hom to gronde.a1300 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 116 Slowe þu þe holi prophete? ▸ a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xiv. 20 Thou the puple sloow.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 14431 Dauid..sclou golias.?a1400 Arthur 528 Engystis Men Þat..sclow þeyre kyn.c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1221 Þe kynges sunnes..he slow euer vchone.c1450 Knt. de La Tour (1868) 102 Husbondes, whiche the deuelle slow.a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 174 The pepill..he slow. (b) plural Middle English sclow, Middle English slouen, Middle English slow, Middle English slowe, Middle English slowen, Middle English slowyn. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 806 Alle heo slowen [c1300 Otho sloȝen] þat heo neih comen.a1300 Havelok 2432 Euerilk fot of hem [they] slowe. ▸ c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxiii. 35 Zacharie,..whom ȝee slowen.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 2502 Þair fas foluand þaim slow.c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 16666 Thei sclow ten thousand.c1425 J. Audelay XI Pains of Hell 135 in Old Eng. Misc. 215 [They] slowyn here childer.1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 228 b/2 Where they slowe..many men.
γ. (a) singular Middle English slouȝ, Middle English slough, Middle English sloughe, Middle English slouh, Middle English slowȝ, Middle English slowȝe, Middle English slowgh, Middle English slowghe, Middle English slowh; (b) plural Middle English slouȝ, Middle English slough, Middle English sloughe, Middle English sloughen, Middle English slowȝe, Middle English slowhe. ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 109 Iudit þet sloch oloferne.1310 St. Brendan (Bälz) 441 Þis luþer best sone he slouȝ.c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7280 Of þe Peytes þat he slough.c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Lansd. MS.) 1608 I slowhe Sampson schakinge þe piler.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 162 Heroude..slowȝe childer ȝonge.?a1400 Morte Arth. 4046 He..þat hym slowghe.1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. i. 76 For this cause he slough abel.a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xx. 352 Many thei sloughen.
δ. (a) singular Middle English sleuch (Scottish), Middle English sleucht (Scottish), Middle English slewȝ, Middle English sluȝ, Middle English sluȝe, Middle English–1500s slewe, Middle English– slew, 1500s scleuȝe (Scottish), 1500s–1600s slew'st (2nd singular), 1500s–1600s slue. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2685 He..slug ðor manige.a1425 (a1382) Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Corpus Oxf.) (1850) 3 Kings ii. 25 The which slewȝ [a1382 Bodl. 959 sloowȝ] hym.1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur x. xxxiv. 468 Kynge Marke slewe hym.c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 1029 There hit sluȝe him als.c1480 (a1400) St. Julian 231 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 464 Þat fadyr & modir bath sleucht.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 557 Modreyt his syster son him slew.a1500 Pol., Rel., & Love Poems 124 I scleuȝe my selue.1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Clifford iii That slue duke Richardes childe.1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iii. sig. F4 I slew him for your sake.1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. iii. 137 But thou sluest Tybalt.a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 323 Saxa..slue himselfe.1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 439 Who slew'st them many a slain. (b) plural Middle English sclew, Middle English sleuch (Scottish), Middle English slewen, Middle English sluȝen, Middle English–1600s slue, Middle English– slew, 1500s slewe. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3916 Oc he slugen, king of basaan. ▸ c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxi. 39 And hym taken, thei kesten out of the vynȝerd, and slewen.a1400–50 Alexander (Dubl.) 2043 Þai..Slew downe..seges.1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xlviii. 187 They kylled and slue..many one.1490 in T. Dickson Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1877) I. 131 Men..that sclew a man.1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xix. 22 They slue foure of the best runners.1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 104 They scaled the walles, [and] slue the watches.
6. Past subjunctive Old English sloge, Old English slogen (plural), Middle English sloȝe, Middle English slowe, Middle English sluȝe. c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxviii. 196 Ðæt hie slogen..kyning.a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1086 Swa hwa swa sloge heort.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3976 Had ic an swerd, ic sluge ðe.c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 467 Þoȝ y slowe þe her in fiȝt.a1400–50 Alexander 5351 If we þis lede sloȝe. 7. Past participle.α. (a) Old English geslægen, Old English geslegen, Middle English i-slæȝen, Middle English i-slayn, Middle English i-sleien, Middle English i-slein, Middle English y-sclayn, Middle English y-slayn, Middle English y-slayne, 1500s y-slaine. a900 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Parker MS.) ann. 823 Þær wæs micel wæl geslægen.c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) iii. xi. 190 Þa wæs geslegen..sum leornungmon.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 123 Gastliche islein.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2785 Summe heore men [had] i-slæȝene.1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 103 If alle fiȝte and alle [be] i-slayn.?a1400 Arthur 566 Arthoures nevew..was þere y-sclayn.a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 162 Al the grecans..yslayne thay moght.1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. v. sig. Ggv Of a forreine foe He is yslaine. (b) Middle English sclain, Middle English sclayn, Middle English slayen, Middle English 1600s– slain, Middle English–1500s slayn, Middle English–1600s slaine, Middle English–1600s slayne. c725 Corpus Gloss. P 287 Percellitur, bið slaegen.c825 Vesp. Psalter ci. 5 Slegen ic eam.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 103 Leirede and slaine.a1300 Cursor Mundi 23964 Hu þai haf þat saccles sclain.c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 830 Ȝif tristrem be now sleyn.c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4612 Þar sal he be slayn.1399 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. i. 113 Hus sones [being] slayen.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 4168 Þat we haue sleyn him.1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xviii. xvi. 754 There..I was nere slayne.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. clixv Al they that folowed hym..were sleyne.1584 H. Llwyd & D. Powel Hist. Cambria 2 Who was slaine by his owne men.1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. i. 96 Men slain By cruell men.
β. Middle English hii-sleȝe, Middle English i-sleȝe, Middle English i-slehȝe, Middle English scley, Middle English slay, Middle English slaye, Middle English sleie, Middle English sleye. c1275 Laȝamon Brut 10932 He hadde islehȝe moche of hire cunne.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 13602 Hii-sleȝe we habbeþ þane king.a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 379 Sche wold haue sleie hire-self.1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xviii. 275 Seynt thomas..in holychurche was sleye.?a1400 Arthur 223 Þu hast scley frolle in fraunce.
γ. Old English geslagen, Middle English i-sclawen, Middle English i-slaȝen, Middle English i-slawen, Middle English slaȝen, Middle English slaun, Middle English slawen, Middle English slawn, Middle English y-slawen. c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 124 Se geslagena bið mid deaðe gegripen.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 526 Mine men ȝe habbeð isclawen [c1300 Otho of-slawe].c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 485 Heora kun we habbet islaȝen [c1300 Otho of-slawe].a1300 Havelok 2681 Þer were a þousind knihtes slawen.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 591 Ðo was ilc fleis on werde slagen.c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 4715 Þo he hadde hem slaun ichon.1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Lev. vii. 8 The slawn offryng of brent sacrifice.
δ. Middle English i-slaȝe, Middle English i-slawe, Middle English sclawe, Middle English slawe, Middle English y-slaȝe, Middle English–1500s y-slawe, 1500s y-slaw. c1250 Owl & Night. 1142 Hwenne þu hongest islawe.c1275 Laȝamon Brut 322 He his fader adde islaȝe.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 889 Þe stude þat he was on slawe.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 223 Alle were y-slaȝe of þe dyeule.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 884 Both it hadde vs slawe. ▸ a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 71 Gordianus..was y-slawe of oon Phelip.c1420 Chron. Vilod. 4308 Harald..was y-slawe at Hastyngus.c1440 Gesta Romanorum xvii. 61 How that he had slawe this brid.
ε. Middle English i-slæn, Middle English sleen, 1500s slene. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4152 Þine men we habbeð islæn [c1300 Otho inome].1486 Bk. St. Albans d j/2 She hath sleen the fowle.1555 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 92 Ther wher dyvers of boyth partes slene.
ζ. northern and Scottish Middle English slan, Middle English–1500s slane, 1500s y-slane. a1300 Cursor Mundi 905 Þou sal be slan wit duble dedd.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 4141 Wit his fader þat he be slane.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 190 Thai had slane mony ane.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xiii. ii. 3 Sepulturis Of his folkis yslane.1567 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. v. 31 Nouther..hurt nor slane.
η. Middle English slon, Middle English sloon, Middle English–1500s slone. c1375 Lay-Folks Mass-bk. App. iv. 587 God þat on þe Rode was slon.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1075 Whenne Caym had his broþer sloon.c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 516 Whar þer fadur was slone.c1485 Digby Myst. i. 361 He hath our children sloon!
θ. Middle English y-slowe. a1400 Coer de L. 1788 That six and thirty they had y-slowe.a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) 4294 Yslowe [And thus the Thebans were yslawe].
Signification.
I. To strike, throw, and related uses.† 1. † b. absol. To deal a blow or blows (frequently with on); to knock; to strike. Obsolete.† c. To strike or cut off (a limb). Obsolete.† 2. To strike (a spark, fire) from flint or other hard substance. Obsolete.† 3. To throw or cast; to bring down heavily. Obsolete.† 4. To pitch (a tent). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To smite, strike, or beat. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)]
swingc725
slayc825
knockc1000
platOE
swengea1225
swipa1225
kill?c1225
girdc1275
hitc1275
befta1300
anhitc1300
frapa1330
lushc1330
reddec1330
takec1330
popc1390
swapa1400
jod?14..
quella1425
suffetc1440
smith1451
nolpc1540
bedunch1567
percuss1575
noba1586
affrap1590
cuff?1611
doda1661
buffa1796
pug1802
nob1811
scud1814
bunt1825
belt1838
duntle1850
punt1886
plunk1888
potch1892
to stick one on1910
clunk1943
zonk1950
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxvii. 20 Forðon [he] slog stan & fleowun weter.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xiv. 65 Ða embeht-menn mið fystum hine slogon.
c1000 Ælfric Exodus vii. 17 Nu ic slea mid þisse girde..þises flodes wæter.
a1300 Havelok 2633 Þe þredde so sore he slow, Þat he made up-on the feld His lift arm fleye.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3964 [Balaam] wurð ðo for anger wroð, And ðis [ass] prikeð and negt [? read next] sloð.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike or deliver blows [verb (intransitive)]
slay971
smitelOE
flatc1330
flap1362
acoupc1380
frapa1400
girda1400
hit?a1400
knocka1400
swap?a1400
wapa1400
castc1400
strike1509
befta1522
to throw about one1590
cuff1596
to let down1640
dunch1805
yark1818
bunt1867
971 Blickl. Hom. 141 Michael..slog on þæs huses duru.
OE Beowulf 1565 He gefeng þa fetelhilt..yrringa sloh.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8228 Aldolf his gode sweord adroh & uppen Hengest sloh [c1300 Otho toward..smot].
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 401 Oht-liche heom slæð [c1300 Otho leggeþ] on.
a1300 Havelok 2596 Helpes me..And slos up-on þe dogges swiþe.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 311 And as the fisshere on his bait Sleth, whan he seth the fisshes faste.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > maiming or mutilation > maim or mutilate [verb (transitive)]
wemc900
slaya1000
alithOE
hamblea1050
belimbc1225
dismember1297
lamec1300
maimc1325
shearc1330
unablec1380
emblemishc1384
magglec1425
magc1450
demember1491
disablea1492
manglea1500
menyie?a1513
mayhem1533
mutilatec1570
martyr1592
stump1596
bemaim1605
cripplea1616
martyrize1615
deartuate1623
hamstring1641
becripple1660
limb1674
truncate1727
dislimb1855
a1000 Laws of Ine §18 Slea mon hond of oððe fot.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1925 Þer he of-toc Morgan... & sloh he him of þat hæued.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > kindle or set alight > produce (fire or spark) by striking
slayc1000
strike?c1450
to strike a light1684
c1000 Saxon Leechd. II. 290 Gif mon on his wege biþ gedwolod slea him anne spearcan beforan.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 2039 Flynt and fir-yren bath he hade, And fir ful sone thar he slogh.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 36 Men herd nocht ellis bot granys & dyntis, That slew fire, as men dois on flyntis.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iv. l. 285 A gret hart has he slayne, Slew fyr on flynt and graithit thaim at rycht.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid i. iv. 33 First Achates slew fire of the flynt.
ΚΠ
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxv. §5 Gif wit giet uncru word tosomne sleað.
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxviii. §1 Þæt hio sceolde..þa men..slean on þa racentan.
OE Daniel 343 He on andan sloh fyr on feondas for fyrendædum.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1156 Corineus up ahof & his eax adun sloh.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 90 The bodie among hem was hent; At the steres thei slough it doun.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabiting temporarily > camping or encamping > pitch (tent or camp) [verb (transitive)]
teldc725
slayc1000
to set upc1275
pitchc1325
allodgec1330
wickc1330
streeka1340
till1362
stretch1382
pick?a1400
tent1553
stenda1600
to strike up1755
c1000 Ælfric Genesis xxxi. 25 Iacob sloh his geteld on þære dune.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3922 Heo sloȝen heoren teldes wide ȝeond þa feldes.
II. To strike to death, and related uses.† 8. To put to death as a criminal; to execute.
5. † b. to slay up or down, to kill completely or outright; to annihilate. Obsolete.† c. To kill the inhabitants of (a country). Obsolete.
a. reflexive.c1340 Ayenb. 34 He..himzelue slaȝþ ase despayred.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 462 If this man her[e] sle hem~self..In my presence.1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1558) viii. xvii. 11 b Arbogast slough him selfe for drede.1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid Fyrst Fower Bks. Metamorphosis iv. f. 3 Thy loue (shee sayd) hath made thee slea thy self.1628 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1624–9 (1909) 240 Their mother..slew hirselfe, dying with them.
(a) To strike or smite so as to kill; to put to death by means of a weapon; also generally, to deprive of life by violence.In this sense (which is copiously represented in the illustration of forms above), and in other surviving uses, slay is now mainly confined to literary and rhetorical language, the common word being kill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]
swevec725
quelmeOE
slayc893
quelleOE
of-falleOE
ofslayeOE
aquellc950
ayeteeOE
spillc950
beliveOE
to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE
fordoa1000
forfarea1000
asweveOE
drepeOE
forleseOE
martyrOE
to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE
bringc1175
off-quellc1175
quenchc1175
forswelta1225
adeadc1225
to bring of daysc1225
to do to deathc1225
to draw (a person) to deathc1225
murder?c1225
aslayc1275
forferec1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
martyrc1300
strangle1303
destroya1325
misdoa1325
killc1330
tailc1330
to take the life of (also fro)c1330
enda1340
to kill to (into, unto) death1362
brittena1375
deadc1374
to ding to deathc1380
mortifya1382
perisha1387
to dight to death1393
colea1400
fella1400
kill out (away, down, up)a1400
to slay up or downa1400
swelta1400
voida1400
deliverc1400
starvec1425
jugylc1440
morta1450
to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480
to put offc1485
to-slaya1500
to make away with1502
to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503
rida1513
to put downa1525
to hang out of the way1528
dispatch?1529
strikea1535
occidea1538
to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540
to fling to deathc1540
extinct1548
to make out of the way1551
to fet offa1556
to cut offc1565
to make away?1566
occise1575
spoil1578
senda1586
to put away1588
exanimate1593
unmortalize1593
speed1594
unlive1594
execute1597
dislive1598
extinguish1598
to lay along1599
to make hence1605
conclude1606
kill off1607
disanimate1609
feeze1609
to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611
to kill dead1615
transporta1616
spatch1616
to take off1619
mactate1623
to make meat of1632
to turn up1642
inanimate1647
pop1649
enecate1657
cadaverate1658
expedite1678
to make dog's meat of1679
to make mincemeat of1709
sluice1749
finisha1753
royna1770
still1778
do1780
deaden1807
deathifyc1810
to lay out1829
cool1833
to use up1833
puckeroo1840
to rub out1840
cadaverize1841
to put under the sod1847
suicide1852
outkill1860
to fix1875
to put under1879
corpse1884
stiffen1888
tip1891
to do away with1899
to take out1900
stretch1902
red-light1906
huff1919
to knock rotten1919
skittle1919
liquidate1924
clip1927
to set over1931
creasea1935
ice1941
lose1942
to put to sleep1942
zap1942
hit1955
to take down1967
wax1968
trash1973
ace1975
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (transitive)] > strike severely > so as to cause serious injury or death
slayc893
to smite to deathc1175
smitec1275
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. i. x. 46 Hi..on ðæt folc winnende wæron, & þa wæpnedmen sleande.
971 Blickl. Hom. 151 On þa ilcan tid þa englas..ongunnan slean þa Iudeas.
OE Beowulf 421 Ic..on yðum slog niceras nihtes.
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1138 [They] flemden þe king æt te Standard, & sloghen suithe micel of his genge.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8089 He..badd tatt mann hemm shollde slæn Son summ he shollde deȝenn.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 3630 Þo þe king arþure ysey þat me is men so uaste slou.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13890 As þe lyon for hunger snacches & sleþ þe best þat he first lacches.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 55 Men þat turmenten & slen þe bodi.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur v. iv. 165 The bore that the dragon slough.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 25 And so xij made hem redy,..and ran on hym with swerdes and knyves, and slowe hym.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cclxxx The nombre of them that were slaine..was accompted a thousand.
1635 E. Pagitt Christianographie 215 Two fel at discord between themselves, and the one slue the other.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 619 Slaying man would cease to be an art.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 633 Two persons..were found murdered; and it was universally believed that they had been slain by Kirke's order.
1888 G. Masson Med. France 180 The order given by King Philip to slay the Genoese mercenaries.
(b) figurative; esp. To overwhelm with delight, to convulse (someone) with laughter. Cf. kill v. 6a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > excitement > pleasurable excitement > affect with pleasurable excitement [verb (transitive)] > give thrill of pleasurable excitement to
dirl1513
slay1863
razzle-dazzle1886
to turn on1903
panic1920
wow1924
kill1938
to knock out1942
fracture1946
gas1947
stoke1963
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > cause laughter [verb (transitive)] > convulse with laughter
shake?1606
convulse1751
to break up1895
slay1927
kill1938
fracture1946
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter vii. 14 Goed wordis, þe whilk slas men fra synne, and makis þaim lifand til god.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H3v Sad soules are slaine in merrie companie. View more context for this quotation
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxii. 190 Shooting death-glances at all the servant-girls who were worthy to be slain.
1863 G. Meredith Let. May (1970) I. 203 I have lately been slain by a pretty face.
1927 L. Mayer Just between us Girls i. 2 Well, anyways, my dear, it simply slayed me.
1937 Amer. Speech 12 181 (heading) Satchelmouth slays 'em.
1943 H. A. Smith Life in Putty Knife Factory xiii. 225 The boys who slay me..are the ones who have set pieces to recite when they answer the phone.
1953 R. Chandler Long Good-bye xi. 68 A hoodlum with sentiment... That slays me.
1958 Spectator 21 Nov. 728/1 Frost,..reading naturally and roughly but with a high degree of contrivance, slaying them into calls for encores and favourite poems.
1965 D. Francis Odds Against xi. 150 ‘Oh God, Dolly, you slay me,’ said Chico, laughing warmly.
1975 D. O'Sullivan in D. Marcus Best Irish Short Stories (1977) II. 98 They're fun... They'll slay you!
1977 Guardian Weekly 23 Oct. 4/3 The earliest comment on these lines that I can find comes from Denis Thatcher in October, 1970. ‘Who could meet Margaret..without being completely slain by her personality and intellectual brilliance?’
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]
swevec725
quelmeOE
slayc893
quelleOE
of-falleOE
ofslayeOE
aquellc950
ayeteeOE
spillc950
beliveOE
to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE
fordoa1000
forfarea1000
asweveOE
drepeOE
forleseOE
martyrOE
to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE
bringc1175
off-quellc1175
quenchc1175
forswelta1225
adeadc1225
to bring of daysc1225
to do to deathc1225
to draw (a person) to deathc1225
murder?c1225
aslayc1275
forferec1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
martyrc1300
strangle1303
destroya1325
misdoa1325
killc1330
tailc1330
to take the life of (also fro)c1330
enda1340
to kill to (into, unto) death1362
brittena1375
deadc1374
to ding to deathc1380
mortifya1382
perisha1387
to dight to death1393
colea1400
fella1400
kill out (away, down, up)a1400
to slay up or downa1400
swelta1400
voida1400
deliverc1400
starvec1425
jugylc1440
morta1450
to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480
to put offc1485
to-slaya1500
to make away with1502
to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503
rida1513
to put downa1525
to hang out of the way1528
dispatch?1529
strikea1535
occidea1538
to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540
to fling to deathc1540
extinct1548
to make out of the way1551
to fet offa1556
to cut offc1565
to make away?1566
occise1575
spoil1578
senda1586
to put away1588
exanimate1593
unmortalize1593
speed1594
unlive1594
execute1597
dislive1598
extinguish1598
to lay along1599
to make hence1605
conclude1606
kill off1607
disanimate1609
feeze1609
to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611
to kill dead1615
transporta1616
spatch1616
to take off1619
mactate1623
to make meat of1632
to turn up1642
inanimate1647
pop1649
enecate1657
cadaverate1658
expedite1678
to make dog's meat of1679
to make mincemeat of1709
sluice1749
finisha1753
royna1770
still1778
do1780
deaden1807
deathifyc1810
to lay out1829
cool1833
to use up1833
puckeroo1840
to rub out1840
cadaverize1841
to put under the sod1847
suicide1852
outkill1860
to fix1875
to put under1879
corpse1884
stiffen1888
tip1891
to do away with1899
to take out1900
stretch1902
red-light1906
huff1919
to knock rotten1919
skittle1919
liquidate1924
clip1927
to set over1931
creasea1935
ice1941
lose1942
to put to sleep1942
zap1942
hit1955
to take down1967
wax1968
trash1973
ace1975
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > throw down > heavily or forcibly
dumpa1300
to slay up or downa1400
squata1400
flash1548
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6634 Slas vp yon caitefs al bidene!
a1400–50 Alexander (Dubl.) 2043 Manly þai feghtyn, Slew downe on ather syde seges owt of nowmbre.
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 36v The Spanyardes..were quyte slayne vp, of the turkes arrowes.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xvii. 115 Gunnis ande cannons to sla doune the pepil.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 161 That same tyme..he slawe doune monye of the Nobilitie.
ΚΠ
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 4734 (Kölbing) Þis four heþen kinges..þe cuntre aboute Lounde Slowen & brent to þe grounde.
6. absol. To commit slaughter or murder.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > slaughter > [verb (intransitive)]
slayc893
to make martyrdomc1325
spill1390
to make martyre?a1400
overkill1946
c893 tr. Orosius Hist. ii. viii. 92 Hie wæron þa burg hergende & sleande buton ælcre ware.
a901 Laws K. Ælfred Introd. §5 Ne sleah ðu.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) x. 19 Ne slyh [v.r. sleh] þu.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 5215 Hii ne kepte hit holde noȝt bote..destrue & berne & sle.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2668 Folc ethiopienes on egipte cam, And brende & sluȝ & wreche nam.
a1352 L. Minot Poems (1914) iii. 61 Ful fast þai slogh and brend.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 207 His moste gloire Was forto sle and noght to save.
c1440 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 450 A castel that the Kyng and the Qwhene comen in for to see how Seint Jorge slogh.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. ix. 5 Go ye..thorow the cite, slaye, ouersee none, spare none.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xvi. 148 The Nubiens..sleaing a farre with venim and with dartes.
c1700 M. Prior To a Lady viii The Parthian turn'd his Steed,..and as He fled, He slew.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 49 The hand that slew, till it could slay no more.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna x. x. 217 We were slaying still without remorse.
1849 W. E. Aytoun Heart of Bruce in Poems xxiii The Moors have come from Africa To spoil and waste and slay.
7. absolute.c1000 Ælfric Deut. xxxii. 39 Ic slea and ic hæle.a1340 R. Rolle Psalter 521 I sall sla and i sall make to lif.1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. ii. 6 The Lorde slayeth, and geueth life.absolute.1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus There be certaine poysones which slee with the only touching.1611 Bible (King James) Job ix. 23 If the scourge slay suddenly. View more context for this quotation1904 ‘M. Corelli’ God's Good Man xxxii She was undergoing the operation, which was to save or slay.
a. Of the Deity: To deprive (man, etc.) of life; to bring death upon, to destroy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > cause of death > cause death [verb (transitive)] > by deity
slayc825
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by deity
slayc825
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxvii. 51 [He] slog ylc frum-bearn on eorðan [of Egypt].
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxxvi. 251 Ðonne God hie slog, ðonne sohton hie hine.
c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 322 God ælmihtig ferde on egiptena lande, hi sleande & alysende Israela bearn.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter ix. 33 Sloand þaim in body noght in saule; [the] riche he sall sla in saule.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6122 At þe king-self he be-gan, þe forbirth slou o beist and man.
1552 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16279) Letany sig. .viiv O Almightie God, whiche..dyddeste slea with the plague of pestilence .lx. and ten thousande.
1611 Bible (King James) Hosea ii. 3 Lest I..set her like a drie land, and slay her with thirst.
b. Of natural forces, accidents, etc.‘Still in current use in Lincolnshire dialect.’ N.E.D.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > cause of death > cause death [verb (intransitive)]
slayc1000
account1848
the world > life > death > cause of death > cause death [verb (transitive)]
to be the death ofOE
slayc1000
reavec1230
dissolvec1374
visita1382
extinguish1540
expiate1594
to carry away1603
to carry off1679
devive1869
to settle the number of a person's mess1881
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by natural forces
slayc1000
c1000 Ælfric Exodus ix. 25 Se hagol sloh..ealle þa þing, þe ute wæron, ægðer ge men ge nytenu.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Dan. iii. 22 Flawme of the fijre slewȝ tho men.
c1420 Sir Amadace xli Thay were..With wild waturs slone.
1486 Bk. St. Albans c viij b The leest mysdyetyng and mysentendyng sleth her.
1611 Stranton Par. Reg. 26 June Agnes..was buried, being slayne with a coupe wayne in the field.
1686 Merrington Par. Reg. She was suddenly slaine with a sled in hay time.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 117 Th' Infection grew, Tame Cattle, and the Beasts of Nature slew . View more context for this quotation
1708 J. C. Compl. Collier 18 in T. Nourse Mistery of Husbandry Discover'd (ed. 3) There was above thirty Persons..slain by a Blast.
1865 Notes & Queries 3rd Ser. 7 31 His poor father was sla'ain [by a stay falling].
1877 in E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > execute [verb (transitive)]
slayc1175
to put to deatha1450
to hang, draw, and quarter1465
strikec1480
execute1483
justify1531
execution1565
scaffold1716
to have or get one's gruel1797
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 13782 [The Jews] sloȝhenn himm..All gillte læs o rode.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvi. 12 When þai sloghe crist.
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 4756 Ihesu suffrede þe Iuys hym to slen.
c1480 (a1400) St. James Less 430 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 162 Þat al þai þat sclew dere Ihesu, I sal sla.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. PPPiii So the lawe sleeth the gylty man, and nat the iudge.
1611 Bible (King James) Acts x. 39 Iesus.., whom they slew and hanged on a tree. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 414 Naild to the Cross By his own Nation, slaine for bringing Life. View more context for this quotation
9. absolute.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19869 Petre,..þou sla and ete.1535 Bible (Coverdale) Acts x. B And there came a voyce vnto him: Ryse Peter, slaye, & eate.in extended use.1483 Presentmts. Juries in Surtees Misc. (1890) 29 Flech..þat was sclayn of Setterday afor.† b. To destroy (vermin, etc.) by some means. Also in figurative context. Obsolete.
a. To kill (a domestic animal or beast of game), esp. for food or as a sacrifice; to slaughter. †Also, to take (fish).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (transitive)]
slayc1000
slaughter1535
kill1560
to bring down1768
bag1814
mop1859
murder1863
beef1869
cull1889
carcass1906
harvest1947
c1000 Ælfric Deut. xxviii. 31 Mann slihð þinne oxan beforan þe and þu his ne abitst.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1086 Swa hwa swa sloge heort oððe hinde.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4042 Islaȝene [c1300 Otho Islaȝen] weoren to þon mele twælf þusend ruðeren sele.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3019 Quen he [sc. Isaac] was spaned fra þe pap, His fader slou bath scepe and nete.
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1885) ii. 111 As the Hunter takyth the wilde beste for to sle and ete hym.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 48 Wan prestis slow þe offringis, and bests blod was remissioun of synnis.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xxix. 20 As for the other ramme, thou shalt slaye him.
1597 J. Skene De Verborum Significatione at Assisa Everie Boat that passis to the draue, and slayis herring.
1611 Bible (King James) Lev. iv. 29 And he shall..slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering. View more context for this quotation
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Sacrifice When the Victim was slain, they flead him.
1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville III. 257 While a hunter is..cutting up the deer or buffalo he has slain.
1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting ix. 419 I have..slain this morning..the last rabbit within a circle of eight miles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing of animals > kill animal [verb (transitive)] > noxious animals
slay?c1225
oil1911
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 153 Þe scorpiunes cundel þet habred inhire bosem..slea wið dedbote.
a1400–50 Stockh. Med. MS 101 To slen lees [= lice].
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 912 Elebur blak with fatte..commyxt and offrid hem [mice and rats] wol sleen.
1495 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. (W. de W.) vii. xxv. 241 Wormes of the teeth ben slayne [Bodl. MS. kilde] wyth Myrre and Opium.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 415 The same is good agaynst wormes,..for it slayeth them.
III. To destroy or overcome as if by striking, and related uses.† 10. To bring to spiritual death; to destroy with sin. Obsolete.reflexive.1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1526 Þe bakbyter fyrst hym self sles.absolute.c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. iii. 6 The lettre sleith, forsoth the spirit quykeneth.1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer iii. f. ccclxi The letter sleeth, the spyrit yeueth lyfelych vnderstandyng.† 11. To overcome with affliction or distress. Obsolete.† 13. † 14. Medicine.† b. To destroy the vitality of (a part of the body). Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (reflexive)]
slayc1175
the world > life > death > cause of death > cause death [verb (transitive)] > of spirit or soul
slayc1175
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > bring to ruin or put an end to
undoc950
shendOE
forfarea1000
endc1000
to do awayOE
aquenchc1175
slayc1175
slayc1175
stathea1200
tinea1300
to-spilla1300
batec1300
bleschea1325
honisha1325
leesea1325
wastec1325
stanch1338
corrumpa1340
destroy1340
to put awayc1350
dissolvec1374
supplanta1382
to-shend1382
aneantizec1384
avoidc1384
to put outa1398
beshenda1400
swelta1400
amortizec1405
distract1413
consumec1425
shelfc1425
abroge1427
downthringc1430
kill1435
poisonc1450
defeat1474
perish1509
to blow away1523
abrogatea1529
to prick (also turn, pitch) over the perka1529
dash?1529
to bring (also send) to (the) pot1531
put in the pot1531
wipea1538
extermine1539
fatec1540
peppera1550
disappoint1563
to put (also set) beside the saddle1563
to cut the throat of1565
to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568
to make a hand of (also on, with)1569
demolish1570
to break the neck of1576
to make shipwreck of1577
spoil1578
to knock on (in) the head (also rarely at head)1579
cipher1589
ruinate1590
to cut off by the shins1592
shipwreck1599
exterminate1605
finish1611
damnify1612
ravel1614
braina1616
stagger1629
unrivet1630
consummate1634
pulverizea1640
baffle1649
devil1652
to blow up1660
feague1668
shatter1683
cook1708
to die away1748
to prove fatal (to)1759
to knock up1764
to knock (or kick) the hindsight out or off1834
to put the kibosh on1834
to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835
kibosh1841
to chaw up1843
cooper1851
to jack up1870
scuttle1888
to bugger up1891
jigger1895
torpedo1895
on the fritz1900
to put paid to1901
rot1908
down and out1916
scuppera1918
to put the skids under1918
stonker1919
liquidate1924
to screw up1933
cruel1934
to dig the grave of1934
pox1935
blow1936
to hit for six1937
to piss up1937
to dust off1938
zap1976
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 53 Heo slaȝeð heore aȝene saule, and bringeð heom in to þare eche pine of helle.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 2092 Wha se nile trowwenn þiss He slaþ hiss aȝhenn sawle.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 123 Mest al þe world þet is gastliche islein mid deadliche sunne.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 25697 Wit his ded he boght again, Vr sauls þat wit sin war slain.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Wisd. i. 11 The mouth forsothe that lieth, sleth the soule.
1509 H. Watson tr. S. Brant Shyppe of Fooles (1517) sig. Miiiiv O Enuye,..thou brennest the desyres, and sleeth the soule in the ende.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 43 What dayly watch is made, the soule of man to sle [1573 slea].
1611 Bible (King James) Rom. vii. 11 For sinne taking occasion by the commandement,..by it slew me. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > cause mental pain or suffering to [verb (transitive)] > overcome with
pinea1325
slayc1386
surcharge1566
c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale (Hengwrt) 454 Ye sleen me with youre sorwe verraily.
c1386 G. Chaucer Frankl. T. 165 Thise Rokkes sleen myn herte for the feere.
c1400 Rom. Rose 2593 It makith me fulle of joyfulle thought, It sleth me that it lastith noght.
c1425 J. Audelay XI Pains of Hell 90 in Old Eng. Misc. 213 Ȝif þai ferd wel her hertis hit slow, And of here losse were glad and fayne.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Giiv I am wery of the worlde, for vnkyndnesse me sleeth.
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) xxiii. 6 I am with sorrow slane, And dyis nicht & day.
12. † b. to slay care. Obsolete.
a. To destroy, extinguish, put an end to, suppress completely (esp. something bad). Cf. kill v. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > bring to ruin or put an end to
undoc950
shendOE
forfarea1000
endc1000
to do awayOE
aquenchc1175
slayc1175
slayc1175
stathea1200
tinea1300
to-spilla1300
batec1300
bleschea1325
honisha1325
leesea1325
wastec1325
stanch1338
corrumpa1340
destroy1340
to put awayc1350
dissolvec1374
supplanta1382
to-shend1382
aneantizec1384
avoidc1384
to put outa1398
beshenda1400
swelta1400
amortizec1405
distract1413
consumec1425
shelfc1425
abroge1427
downthringc1430
kill1435
poisonc1450
defeat1474
perish1509
to blow away1523
abrogatea1529
to prick (also turn, pitch) over the perka1529
dash?1529
to bring (also send) to (the) pot1531
put in the pot1531
wipea1538
extermine1539
fatec1540
peppera1550
disappoint1563
to put (also set) beside the saddle1563
to cut the throat of1565
to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568
to make a hand of (also on, with)1569
demolish1570
to break the neck of1576
to make shipwreck of1577
spoil1578
to knock on (in) the head (also rarely at head)1579
cipher1589
ruinate1590
to cut off by the shins1592
shipwreck1599
exterminate1605
finish1611
damnify1612
ravel1614
braina1616
stagger1629
unrivet1630
consummate1634
pulverizea1640
baffle1649
devil1652
to blow up1660
feague1668
shatter1683
cook1708
to die away1748
to prove fatal (to)1759
to knock up1764
to knock (or kick) the hindsight out or off1834
to put the kibosh on1834
to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835
kibosh1841
to chaw up1843
cooper1851
to jack up1870
scuttle1888
to bugger up1891
jigger1895
torpedo1895
on the fritz1900
to put paid to1901
rot1908
down and out1916
scuppera1918
to put the skids under1918
stonker1919
liquidate1924
to screw up1933
cruel1934
to dig the grave of1934
pox1935
blow1936
to hit for six1937
to piss up1937
to dust off1938
zap1976
(a)
(b)c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 103 Þe rihte bileue and þe soðe luue..ben leirede and slaine on his heorte.a1300 Cursor Mundi 24692 Þo þou haf oþer vertus slain, In þe þou mai þam couer again.1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xxvii. f. 59 As pryde sleeth loue,..soo gentylnesse and affabilitie doo stere vp affection.1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. ii. 26 For this..Being tasted slaies all sences with the hart.1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. ii. 89 To slay The reverence living in the minds of men Towards our ancient house.1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 9 July 1/1 In the very act of slaying the Bill.c1175 Lamb. Hom. 51 Þe we beoð sari in ure heorte þet we isuneȝed habbeð, þenne slaȝe we ure sunne.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6752 Þa slast tu swa þin aȝhenn flæsh. & hire fule wille.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 90 For shrifte of mouth sleeth synne, be it neuere so dedly.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) Prol. 2 With this swerd shal I slen envie.
a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 36 But sle þy lust for any thynge.
1538 J. Bale Tragedye Promyses God i Her sede shall..Slee hys suggestyons, & hys whole power confounde.
1560 T. Becon Common-pl. Holy Script. in Wks. II. iii. 68 To reconcile both vnto God in one body thorow the Crosse, and slewe hatred therby.
1763 J. Gregg in Bk. Praise (1866) 349 Thoughts must be slain that disobey.
1868 T. T. Lynch Rivulet (ed. 3) cxlix. 182 O heavenly Lord, whose mercy can..Both slay the sins and save the man.
ΚΠ
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 695 But make we murie & sle care.
a1400 Siege of Troy 185 in Archiv neu. Spr. LXXII. 16 To Grece þey comen hom And maden murþe and slowe care.
c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 772 Þe king, wyth a blythe chere, Bade hom sle care.
a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) 111 Let vs sley care.
a. To blight or destroy (vegetation). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)] > destroy the growth of plants, etc.
slayc1325
bruise?1523
overgrow?1523
nip1575
starve1578
depasturea1599
bedasha1616
victimize1849
c1325 Prose Ps. lxxvii. 52 He sloȝe [L. occidit] her uines wyþ hail.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 453 Tholiues hit forsake; The rootes wol their oyl or slen [L. necat] or slake.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 1078 The rootes ek of reed and rish thei ete. When wynter sleth their fedyng, yef hem meete.
1568 T. Hill Certaine Husbandly Coniectures i. f. 54v, in Proffitable Arte Gardening (rev. ed.) Extreame colde dothe then slea the Trees.
1568 (?a1513) W. Dunbar in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 149 Quhilk slayis þe corne, and fruct þat growis grene.
b. intransitive. Of grain: To become affected by smut, blight, or the like. (Cf. slain adj. 3.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > be diseased, injured, or discoloured [verb (intransitive)]
burn?1523
blast1580
slaya1642
smut1657
fire1693
mowburn1707
go1735
strike1742
curl1793
gum1794
sunburn1833
French1836
rust1839
shank1848
houseburn1850
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 57 But it is observed in wheate that if the seed bee not chainged once in fower or five croppes, it will slay extreamely.
1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 360/2 On muiry soils this [oat] crop is also not unfrequently lost by what is called ‘slaying’. This seems to result from the occurrence of frosty nights late in spring.
1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 360/2 This tendency to slaying in the oat crop.
a. To resolve (an impostume, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > treatments removing or dispersing matter > remove or disperse [verb (transitive)] > disperse, etc., humours or morbid matter
cleansec1000
resolvea1398
slaya1400
dissolvec1400
evacuec1400
mundify?a1425
repel?a1425
attenuate1533
evacuate1533
discuss?1537
divert?1541
extenuate1541
intercide?1541
educe1574
scour1577
attray1579
clenge1582
divertise1597
derive1598
revel1598
display1607
draw1608
incide1612
correct1620
fuse1705
lavage1961
a1400 Stockh. Medical MS. ii. 650 in Anglia XVIII. 323 Þe powdir on ded flesch who so leye, Anon it sleth it.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 98 Þis medicyne..wonderfully sleeþ þe antrax and vtterly cureþ it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak
fellOE
wastec1230
faintc1386
endull1395
resolvea1398
afaintc1400
defeat?c1400
dissolvec1400
weakc1400
craze1476
feeblish1477
debilite1483
overfeeble1495
plucka1529
to bring low1530
debilitate1541
acraze1549
decaya1554
infirma1555
weaken1569
effeeble1571
enervate1572
enfeeble1576
slay1578
to pull downa1586
prosternate1593
shake1594
to lay along1598
unsinew1598
languefy1607
enerve1613
pulla1616
dispirit1647
imbecilitate1647
unstring1700
to run down1733
sap1755
reduce1767
prostrate1780
shatter1785
undermine1812
imbecile1829
disinvigorate1844
devitalize1849
wreck1850
atrophy1865
crumple1892
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 348 It choketh and troubleth all the inwarde partes,..and in fine it sleayeth the partie.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
slayv.2
transitive. To set (a warp).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [verb (transitive)] > weave > set warp
warp?1529
loom1827
slay1828
1828–32 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. at Sleid To sley or prepare for use in the weaver's sley.
1888 R. Beaumont Woollen & Worsted Cloth Manuf. 139 The proper method of sleying any particular warp or specific make of cloth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.1c1050
n.21745
v.1c825
v.21828