† aˈbite, v. Obs.
[f. a- prefix 1 + bite.]
To bite, nip, taste.
| c 1000 ælfric Deut. xxviii. 31 Man slihþ þinne oxon beforan þé, and þ{uacu} his ne abitst. 1205 Layamon III. 75 His cnihtes..uuenon þan Brutten, Swulc heo heom wolden abiten. a 1250 Owl & Night. 77 Thu starest so thu wille abiten Al that thu miȝt mid clivre smiten. c 1300 K. Alis. 7096 (Weber I. 291) Broune lyons, and eke white, That wolden fayn his folk abyte. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xvi. 26 Windes..in blowyng-tyme abite þe floures. a 1450 Vox & Wolf 203 (Hazl. E.P.P. I. 64) A thousent shep ich habbe abiten. |
¶ Confused with abye.
| c 1460 Towneley Myst. 15 We, yei, that shal thou sore abite. |