v. Obs. [OE. todrífan, f. TO-2 + drífan to DRIVE; = OHG. zi-, ze-trîban, MHG. ze-, zer-trîben.]
1. trans. To drive asunder, disperse, rout, scatter; to drive away, dispel; to dissolve.
Beowulf, 545. Þa wit ætsomne on sæ wæron fif nihta fyrst oþ þæt unc flod to-draf.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., John x. 12. Ðe ulf nimeð &… todrifeð ða scip.
c. 1200. Ormin, 16397. Forr þatt hiss stren all shollde ben Todrifenn & toskeȝȝredd.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 4722. At bedeford come þe saxons & smite an batayle & to driue [v.rr. to droue, to drofe] þe brutons.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 16. Þe kyng was narow holden, his folk alle to dryuen.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XXIII. 174. Lechecraft lette sholde elde And to-dryue away deþ with drogges.
b. To dash or break in pieces. rare–1.
c. 1320. Cast. Love (Halliw.), 862. That ther shuld come a woman blyve That shuld all his hed to-dryve.
c. intr. To strike violently; to let drive. rare–1.
c. 1205. Lay., 8152. Euelin wes swiðe wrað & mid þan stæue to-draf And smat Herigal a þon ribben.
2. intr. To fly in pieces; to be splintered or shattered; to burst.
c. 1205. Lay., 2895. Þe king feol on þene rof Þat he al to-draf.
13[?]. S. Eng. Leg. (MS. Bodl. 779), in Herrig’s Archiv, LXXXII. 410/96. Witþ þat ilke word … Þe god of bras al to-drof so hit were of clay.
c. 1430. Hymns Virg., 122. Alle the worlle schalle to-dryve; Wo be þey þatt ben on lyve!
c. 1460. Launfal, 482. Than myghte me se … Speres to-breste and to-dryve.
