† aˈchape, v. Obs.
[A by-form of escape, adopted from later OFr. échaper, occas. achaper (mod. échapper):—early OFr. and Norm. escaper, whence the ordinary form. Scotch writers in 6 have echap as in Fr. Also aphetized in 5 to chape. Cf. schape, shape, and scape.]
= escape.
| 1250 Layamon II. 342 Þe Alemains{revsc} þat a-chaped were [1205 weoren awei idraȝene]. c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 970 Þe wrake þat no wyȝe achaped. c 1350 Will. Palerne 2805 Whan þe hert & þe hind · were of so harde a-chaped. Ibid. 1248 Gretly y þonk god · þat gart me a-chape. 1588 A. King Canisius' Catech. 143 Præsumption of gods mercie to echap for sinne vnpunished. |