v. Obs. Forms: Inf. 1 ablendan, 2–4 ablende(n, 4 ablynde(n. Ind. pres. 3rd sing. 1–4 ablendeð, ablent, 4 ablyndeþ. Pa. t. 1–3 ablende, ableynte. Pa. pple. 1 ablænd, 2–4 ablent, 4 abland. [f. A- pref. 1 + blend-an to blind. Cf. Ger. erblenden. See also ABLIND, with which it was in later times confused.] To dazzle, to take away the sight (temporarily); to blind the moral vision.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Pastoral Ep., in Anc. Laws, II. 372. He [Arius] wæs ablænd on his mode.
1205. Layamon, 14659. He heom walde ufel don: Baðe ablenden and anhon.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 86. Ualse uikelare ablendeð þeo þe ham hercneð.
1297. R. Glouc., 208. Ac þet blod adoun wende So vaste, in eye, and in face, þat hym ney ablende.
c. 1320. Seuyn Sages (W.), 2462. The walmes han the abland.
a. 1327. Pol. Songs, 345. And so is al this world ablent, that no man douteth sinne.
1340. Ayenb., 16. Þis ȝenne of prede … ablent men ȝuo þet hi hamȝelve ne knaweþ.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 264. A beem in þine owne [eye] A-blyndeth þi-selue. Ibid., XVIII. 323. Lucifer loke ne myȝte So lyȝte him ableynte. Ibid. (1393), C. XXI. 142. Þis light and þis leom · shal Lucifer a-blende.
