† mithe, v. Obs.
Forms: 1 miðan, 3–4 myth(e, 3–4 mith(e.
[A Com. W. Ger. str. vb.: OE. m{iacu}ðan (pa. tense máð, pl. meoðon, miðon, pa. pple. miðen) corresponds to OFris. (far)mîtha to avoid, OS. mîthan (MDu. mîden, Du. mijden), OHG. mîden to hide oneself, conceal, avoid (MHG. mîden, mod.G. meiden to shun, forbear).
For the affinities of the Teut. root *mī̆þ-, see mis-1.]
1. trans. To conceal, dissemble (feelings, etc.).
In OE. (as in OS.) occas. with obj. in genitive.
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xxvi. §1 Ne me næfre næs ealles swa ic wolde, þeah ic his miðe. a 1300 Cursor M. 29069 Quen yee fast, þen sal yee scau gladnes wit yur sembland blith, and sua yur fasting sal yee myth. c 1300 Havelok 948 His sorwe he couþe ful wel miþe. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. iv. 24 My murthe is al with mournyng meind, ne may ich mythen hit namore. |
2. absol. and intr. To remain concealed, to escape notice (in OE. also trans. to escape the notice of); to hide one's thoughts or feelings.
| a 900 Gloss. in Wr.-Wülcker 222/18 Dilitiscendo, miþende. a 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. v. xii. (1890) 424 Moniᵹ ðing ᵹe eᵹ[e]slice ᵹe willsumlice ᵹeseh, þe oðre meoðon [L. multa quæ alios laterent]. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 298/8 Þonne biþ sona sweotol æteowod on him {thbar} ær deaᵹol mað. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 3807 Ðoȝ ðis folc miðe a stund for-dred. 1320–30 Horn Ch. 825 Sche might no lenger mithe; To him spac that maiden fre, And seyd, Horn, y love the. |