v. Obs. [f. A- pref. 1 + BITE.] To bite, nip, taste.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Deut. xxviii. 31. Man slihþ þinne oxon beforan þé, and þú 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.
