† aˈttame, v. Obs.
Also 4–5 atame.
[a. OF. atame-r:—L. attāminā-re to lay hands on, attack, violate, f. at- = ad- to, at + tāmināre, f. -tāmen = *tagmen touch, from tangĕre, tag-, to touch. Cf. mod.F. entamer. For att- see at- prefix3.]
1. trans. To cut into; to penetrate, pierce.
| c 1314 Guy Warw. 261 The smallest scale that on him is, No wepen no may atame. c 1440 Morte Arth. 2175 The boustous launce þe bewelles attamede. 1494 Fabyan vi. clxi. 154 At the hede the fysshe shall be fyrste attamyd [L. a capite aggrediendus est]. |
2. To pierce (a cask, etc.) so as to let the liquor run out; to broach. Hence attamed ppl. a., attaming vbl. n.
| 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xx. 68 He vnbokelede hus boteles, and boþe he a-tamede. c 1425 Leg. Rood (1871) 210 He let atame hys pyement tunne. 1440 Promp. Parv. 16 Attamyn a wesselle wyth drynke, or abbrochyn, Attamino, depleo. Ibid. Atthamynge of a wesselle wyth drynke, Attaminacio. Athamyd, attaminatus. |
3. To attack, lay hands on, meddle with.
| c 1430 Lydg. Bochas iv. xxiii. 121 a, It is not holsome with goddes to playe, Nor their puissaunce presumteously to attame. c 1450 ‘Chaucer's’ Dreme 1128 That a queene Of your estate..In any wise shoulde be attamed. |
4. To enter or venture upon, begin, undertake. (Cf. fig. uses of attack, broach.)
| c 1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. Prol. 52 Right anon his tale he hath attamed. a 1420 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 2795 Hem deynethe not an accioun atame At comon lawe. c 1430 Lydg. MS. Soc. Antiq. No. 134. 8 (Halliw.) He schulde anone attame Another of newe. |
b. with inf.
| 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. ii, And gan also attempten and attame..A new towre to edify agayne. c 1430 ― MS. Soc. Antiq. No. 134. 1 Sithen Adam dide atame The frute to ete. |