Middle English Dictionary Entry
shunten v.
Entry Info
Forms | shunten v. Also shunte, shont(e, shount(en; ppl. (error) schoutyng; p. shunt(e, shont(e, shounte & (?error) skuntede, (errors) shout, schoutid; ppl. shunt, shounte. |
Etymology | ?Back formation from p. of shǒnen v., to which some quots. with p. or p.ppl. may belong; for possible analogy cp. OE grunian, grunettan & ME grunten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To move suddenly, jerk; move quickly, ?slide; of a horse: shy, start; (b) of earth, the elements: to move or shake.
Associated quotations
a
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18)81/29 : Lokes þat ȝe ne beo nawt þe skerre hors iliche þat schuntes for a schadewe.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)3888 : For angre þat he ne drast him wreke, A skuntede [?read: shuntede; F commenca a escumer] als a bore.
- ?a1450 MLChrist (Add 39996)2880 : Ȝif he were quycke, he wolde schont When he felde þe spere dynt.
- a1500 Henley Husb.(Sln 686)47 : Your ploughe shall com to no harde grounde but go schoutyng [read: schontyng] all in myrre.
b
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)580 : In þe same tyme he seuyrd fra þi wambe, Þe erd & all þe elementis so egirly schoutid [read: schontid].
2.
(a) To turn away, withdraw, run away; dodge, swerve; also, flinch; also, hesitate; hesitate (to do sth.); ~ for shame; (b) ~ from (of), to retreat from (a place); also, revoke (an oath), retract [1st quot.]; (c) ben shunt, to move over (to a place).
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 Susan.(Vrn)166 : Alle hire seruauns þei shont [vrr. schunt, shounte; were a-schonte] And stelen a-wey.
- c1390 Susan.(Vrn)231 : Heo ne schunte [vr. shont] for no schame.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1902 : He schunt for þe scharp.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2280 : I schunt onez, & so wyl I no more.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)736 : Quen all was schyppede..they schounte no lengere.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2106 : All the scheltron schonte and schoderide.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3715 : He ne schownttes for no schame.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3816 : In he schokkes his schelde, schountes he no lengare.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)482/59 : Þei schonte for no schoutis his schappe for to schende it.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)203/10 : He shappis at sir Arthure, but the kynge shuntys a lytyll.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)213/31 : Fyght you behovys, other ellys shunte for shame.
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)722 : Robertt..wyth hys staffe, als he was wontt, Bett hym, and began to shontt.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)919 : The freike..raght to his Ryng..Held it high..ffor chynyng of the chene stone he [dragon] shont with his hede.
b
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)729 : With shame may þou shunt fro þi shire othes.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5732 : The shalkes for þe shot shout [read: shont] fro þe banke.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)10998 : Ne shamys you not shalkes to shunt of þe fild.
c
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)605 : He watz schunt to þe schadow under schyre levez.
3.
(a) To evade one's destiny; escape; escape (sth.); (b) to avoid (sth.); parry (a blow); (c) ~ of, ?to cause (sb.) to avoid (shame).
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)291 : Elde..Croked me..encrampeschet myn hondes..Makes ȝoure mirrours bi me..This schadowe in my schewere schunte ȝe no while.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)180 : Sen it is sett to be soo &..Ne schewid to be na noþire schap, ne we to schount nouthire.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2143 : Werpis þam vp..If at ȝe shap ȝow to shount vnschent of oure handis.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)365/361 : Mi flesh it quakys as lefe on lynde, to shontt the showres sharper then thorne.
b
- a1450(1408) *Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)62a : Alle weies þe nedeþ to schonte & voyde þat þyn enemy vseþ of custom.
- c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042)1334 : Hade he nott schounte his stroke thore, For sothe he hade bene slayne.
c
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2544 : Let other men Aunter..ffor to shunt vs of shame..And venge vs of velany.