v. Obs. Forms: see SHIFT v. [OE. tosciftan, f. TO-2 + sciftan to divide, SHIFT.] trans. To divide, separate, distribute.
c. 1122. O. E. Chron., an. 1085. Ac se cyng let to scyfton þone here ʓeond eall þis land to his mannon. Ibid., an. 1095. He … into Wealan ferde & his fyrde to scyfte.
c. 1315. Shoreham, i. 721. For þer he hys, he hys al y-hol Ne mey me hym to-schifte.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 97. Noþer water noþer fire myȝte ham to schifte noþer to dele. Ibid., II. 251. Þere … þe longages and tonges of þe bulders were i-schad and to schift.
c. 1400. trans. Higden (Rolls), VII. 528 (MS. β). So thei beth departed and to schufte [γ scheft] atweyne.
