abyen

Middle English

Alternative forms

• abuggen

Etymology

From Old English ābyċġan, from Proto-West Germanic *uʀbuggjan, from Proto-Germanic *uzbugjaną, equivalent to a- +‎ bien.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /aˈbiːən/

Verb

abyen

1. To buy; to obtain in exchange (for something).
2. To pay a fine or penalty.
   • c. 1370–1390, [William Langland], “Passus secundus de visione”, in The Vision of Pierce Plowman [...], London: […] Roberte Crowley, […], published 1550, →OCLC, folio x, recto:

     The Notaries and ye noye the people / Ye ſhall abye it both by god that made me made

     The notaries and you annoy the people / You shall pay the penalty for it both, by God that made me!

3. To make amends for sin.
4. To suffer (especially in place of another).

Conjugation

Conjugation of abyen (weak irregular)

infinitive	(to) abyen, abye
	present tense	past tense
1st-person singular	abye	aboghte
2nd-person singular	abyest	aboghtest
3rd-person singular	abyeth	aboghte
subjunctive singular	abye
imperative singular		—
plural1	abyen, abye	aboghten, aboghte
imperative plural	abyeth, abye	—
participles	abyynge, abyende	aboght

¹ Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants

• English: aby

References

• “abīen, v.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.