Forms: 4–5 voyden, 4–7 voyde (4 woyde, 5 uoyde, voyede), voyd (5 woyd, voyed, 6 Sc. woyid); 4, 6 voiden, 4–6 voide, 4– void (5 woid); 4 vewd-, 6 Sc. woud. [Partly (1) ad. AF. and OF. voider, vuider (OF. also voidier, vuidier; mod.F. vider, = Pr. voidar, vojar, vujar, etc., Cat. vuydar, It. votare):—pop.L. *vocitare to make empty: see VOID a. Partly (2) an aphetic form of AVOID v.]
I. 1. trans. To clear (a room, house, place) of occupants; to empty or clear (a place, receptacle, etc.) of something. † Also const. from. Now arch.
13[?]. K. Alis., 373 (Linc.). He voidud þeo chaumbre of many vchon.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 3131. By þat wern þe feldes alle of þe Sarsyns y-vewdid wel.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 2625, Hypermnestra. Whan that the house voyded was of alle.
c. 1400. Beryn, 1951. Þere was no thing, þat eny man myȝte se,… For hanybald had do void it [sc. his house] of al thing þat was there.
c. 1482. J. Kay, trans. Caoursin’s Siege of Rhodes, ¶ 7. Anon with grete dylygence they voyded their shippes of the men of werre and of their ordonnances.
15[?]. Aberdeen Reg. (Jam.). To woud the said biging of the gudis.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 232. Penny royal … clenseth the Lunges, and voydeth them and the breast from all grosse and thicke humors.
1654. Fuller, Wounded Consc., etc. (1867), 187. Bondi … causeth the room to be voided of all company.
1786. Phil. Trans., LXXVI. 280. The cavity of the cylinder and globe containing the thermometer was completely voided of air with mercury.
1861. Ld. Lytton & Fane, Tannhäuser, 73. And, voided now of all his multitudes, the mighty Hall … laid bare His ghostly galleries to the mournful moon.
b. To rid, to make free or clear, of (or † from) some quality or condition.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 247. Þe barons alle said,… Þe lond þei wild voide of þat herisie.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 26. Þai suld weill hawe pryss þat … war woydyt off cowardy.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 79. Excepte it be fyrst voyded from all … elacyon, pryde and contradiccyon.
1545. Primer, A ij. That our hartes be voyded quyte, From phansy, and fond delighte.
1576. Gascoigne, Kenelworth Castle, Wks. 1910, II. 94. Your thrice comming here doth bode thrise happy hope and voides the place from feare.
1641. Milton, Reform., II. 74. The Parliament shall void her Upper House of the same annoyances.
1668. Howe, Bless. Righteous (1825), 273. Having voided thy mind of what is earthly and carnal.
1861. Beresf. Hope, Eng. Cathedr. 19th C., i. 2. It is neither possible nor desireable so wholly to void either nature of the presence of the other.
† c. To bereave or deprive of life. Obs.–1
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3980. If I be vencust in þe vaile voidid of my lyfe, Lat all my seggis & soile be to þi-selfe ȝolden.
2. Without const. † a. To clear (a table) of dishes, remains of food, etc., after a meal. Obs.
a. 1400. Sqr. lowe Degre, 468. Full lowe he set hym on his kne, And voyded his borde full gentely.
1513. Bk. Keruynge, in Babees Bk. (1868), 271. Now this feest is done, voyde ye the table.
1586. Warner, Alb. Eng., IV. xxi. (1589), 89. The Traine and table voyded, then he … Directs her by his tongue and teares, vnto his louing heart.
1621. Quarles, Argalus & P., III. Wks. (Grosart), III. 273/1. The board was voided, and the Sewer Had now resign’d his office with the Ewer.
1657. Thornley, trans. Longus’ Daphnis & Chloe, 119. Dinner was done, and the Table voided.
fig. 1638. Quarles, Hieroglyphikes, xiii. Wks. (Grosart), III. 195/2. Time voids the table, dinner’s done.
† b. To evacuate (the stomach); to clear or blow (the nose); to clean out (slaughtered animals). Also refl. Obs. rare.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), vi. And whan þei be ful or seeke, þei fedeth hem with gras, as an hounde doth, forto voyed hem.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 240. To kepe kynde hete, and to voyde the stomake, good is hit afor mette sumwhate to walke or ryde.
1535. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford (1880), 133. The bochers … shall voyd and kyll noe moe ware in the sayd howses.
1594. R. Ashley, trans. Loys le Roy, 49. They would neither … spit, nor void their noses into the rivers, but reuerenced them aboue all things.
† c. To make void or empty; to clear or empty (some thing or place) of its contents or occupants.
1506. in Mem. Hen. VII. (Rolls), 288. A little before … my lord Herberd voided all the King’s chamber except lords and officers … which remained there still.
1580. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 227. The chamber being voyded, he brake with him in these tearmes.
1600. Holland, Livy, VII. v. 252. So the roume being voided, and all commaunded to depart farre ynough out of the way, he draweth out his skeine.
1616. Marlowe’s Faustus, III. iv. Good Fredericke see the roomes be voyded straight, His Maiesty is comming to the Hall.
1658. Evelyn, Fr. Gard. (1675), 4. Thus when your Trench is voided and emptied to the depth which you desire, you shall cast in long dung.
d. To render (a benefice) vacant; to vacate. Obs.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 217. When any Archbishoprick or Bishoprick shall be voided.
1677. W. Mountagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 327. His living … being voided by his own act, though it would have been otherwise if voided by death.
a. 1703. Bp. Kidder, in Cassan, Bps. Bath & Wells, II. (1830), 126. After I had entered upon this living, and thereby voided that in Essex.
† e. To exhaust (a subject) by discussion or exposition; to deal with exhaustively or thoroughly.
1659. H. Thorndike, Epil. Trag. Ch. Eng., I. xx. 155. Not to insist here, what the respective interests of publick and private persons in the Church are and ought to be, because it is a point that cannot here be voided.
1687. Towerson, Baptism, 273. A question which will best be voided by considering the force of those Arguments, which the condemners … have produc’d.
3. To deprive (something) of legal validity; to make legally void or invalid; to annul or cancel.
a. 1325. MS. Rawl. B. 520 fol. 30 b. The parties of þulke fins … ope suuche fins to voiden ant for te anenden weren i suffred. Ibid. On suuche manere þe fins … oftesiþes beþ ivoided.
1487. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 394/1. That … it be lefull to the said Roger … to enter,… and enjoye all that comprised in the same Lettres Patentes so voided.
1535. Cromwell, in State Papers Hen. VIII. (1849), VII. 586. [To] desire the Bisshop … to revoke and denounce voyd and frustrate the injust and slaunderous sentence.
1641. H. Thorndike, Govt. Churches, 132. In some cases they void excommunication that is grounded upon particular interesse, and not for the honour of God.
1647. Digges, Unlawf. Taking Arms, § 4. 147. His obstinate refusall voides the Parliament.
1691. Locke, Lower. Interest, Wks. 1727, II. 7. Unless you intend to … void Bargains lawfully made.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), II. 79. A contract voided by the death of the Prince.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., I. viii. 98. The giving meat and drink, exceeding £5 in value, to electors, shall void an election.
1883. Ch. Times, 9 Nov., 812/4. On the principles of Roman Canon law, the Papal succession has been voided many times over.
b. To deprive of efficacy, force or value; to render inoperative or meaningless; to set aside or nullify. Now rare.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, cvi[i]. 11. Þe counsaile of þe heghest þai voidyd [L. irritaverunt].
1396–7. in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1907), XXII. 304. For þou þese to [= two] craftis nemlid were michil more nedful in þe elde lawe, þe newe testament hath voydid þese and manie othere.
1462[?]. Paston Lett., II. 115. That th’ effect of the old purpose of the seid Sir Iohn Fastolff schuld not be all voyded.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour (1868), 176. Yf one begynne to … talke with you of suche mater, lete hym alone … And thus ye shalle voyde and breke his talkynge.
1513. Life Henry V. (Kingsford, 1911), 20. By whose departure the intent of this victorious Kinge was vtterly empesshed and voyded in that cause.
1533. More, Answ. Poysoned Bk., Wks. 1057/1. By ye marking of thys one poynt, ye may voyde almost all the craft, with which master … Frith and Tyndall … labour to deceiue you.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxii. § 12. Baptisme … is by a fourth sort of men voided for the onely defect of ecclesiasticall authoritie in the Minister.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., III. (1687), 105/1. Now tell me if thy adversary Sue thee, and thou art like to be overthrown For want or witnesses, how wilt thou void His suit?
1675. O. Walker, etc., Paraphr. Hebrews, 3–4. The former Religion of the Law to be fulfilled in, and so voided and annulled by, that farr more preeminent of Christ.
a. 1688. W. Clagett, 17 Serm. (1699), 197. They voided the commandments of God, and made his word of none effect.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., IV. 467. O how is man inlarg’d, Seen thro’ this medium [i.e., Redemption] … How voided his vast distance from the skies!
1874. S. Cox, Pilgr. Ps., iv. 83. By this implacable temper, we defeat our own hope and void our own prayer.
† c. To confute or refute. Obs.
1570. Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), II. 926/1. With these and such other like reasons, the Gray Franciscans voyded their Aduersaries.
1630. M. Godwyn, trans. Bp. Hereford’s Ann. Eng., 312. He by such witty answers voided the accusation of his Adversary, that the Iurors found him not guilty.
1645. Milton, Colast., 19. After waiting and voiding, hee thinks to void my second Argument.
1699. Bentley, Phal., xiv. 479. His Design was … To account for the Low Sicilian Talent, and to void all that Mr. B. had written about it before.
II. † 4. To send or put (a person) away; to cause or compel to go away from or leave a place; to dismiss or expel. Obs.
Freq. const. out of, also more rarely from or of the place. Also (b) with advs. as out or aloof.
(a) 13[?]. Gosp. Nicodemus (A.), 285. Pilate gart voyde þame alle Þat were within þat house.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Can. Yeom. Prol. & T., 1136. Voyde youre man and lat hym be ther oute.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xii. 137. He let voyden out of his Chambre alle maner of men.
1418. E. E. Wills (1882), 29. Y wille that the same Jonet be vtterliche excluded & voyded fro the forsaide Manere of Staverton.
c. 1450. Capgrave, Life St. Augustine, 11. Þe bischop was compelled to voyde hir with swech wordys: Go fro me, woman.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, fj/b. The pryour that was voyded and hydde under the bed.
a. 1539. in Archaeologia, XLVII. 57. That ye voide out of your house Robert laurence and he nomore to resorte to the same.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices, III. (1558), 164. Al hearers being voided out of the place, he commaunded, the yongman shoulde come to hym.
1608. Dekker, Dead Tearme, Wks. (Grosart), IV. 57. Not to keepe any single woman in his house on the Holy-dayes, but the Bailiffe to see them voyded out of the Lordship.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 62. Now the Bishops abrogated and voided out of the Church … the Episcopall arts begin to bud again.
(b) 1430–40. Lydg., Bochas, VIII. xx. (1554), 190 b/1. Let him also voyde out at his gate, Ryotous people.
1553. Brende, Q. Curtius, Q vij. [He] appointed certaine to waite whiles he slept, which shoulde voide al men a loufe, to the entent he should not be disquieted wt any noise.
1575–85. Abp. Sandys, Serm., xiii. 206. In his pastorall care he visited it [sc. the Temple], and in the zeale of God voided them out which did defile it.
† b. With double object. Obs.
1402. Hoccleve, Let. of Cupid, 468. Voide hem our court, and banyssh hem for euer.
1483. Presentmts. of Juries, in Surtees Misc. (1890), 28. We wyll þt schoy be woydyd the ton [= town].
1529. Rastell, Pastyme (1811), 126. He warryd oft agaynst the Danys, but at the last by agrement he voydyd them the West contrey.
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, A a ij. I knowe one Antiochus well,… but as for this fellowe, I perceiue he is a counterfeit, and therewith commaunded him to be voided his lodging.
† c. To dismiss or remove from a situation or position. Obs.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 95. Yf that yeman be from you soo voyded ye shal take awey the lyueri of the said Sherefs.
c. 1515. Barclay, Egloges, iii. (1570), Cij b/2. If thou chaunge some better for to haue, Thou voydest a lubber to haue agayne a knaue.
† d. refl. To remove or withdraw (oneself) from or out of a place. Obs.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 391. Also he voidede and wiþ-drow hym from þat place.
1467. Maldon (Essex) Crt. Rolls (Bundle 43, No. 3v). The said Gilbert voided hymself owt of the same place without rent or farme paying.
† 5. Of persons or animals: To go away, depart, retire or withdraw from, to leave or quit (a place); to give (ground); to move out of (the way); to get out of (one’s sight); = AVOID v. 7. Obs.
Very common from c. 1400 to c. 1645; now Obs. (cf. d).
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 345. Bid me boȝe fro þis benche, & stonde by you þere Þat I wyth-oute vylanye myȝt voyde þis table.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5388. Bot whare so euere he hem [the Romans] fond He dide hem sone voyde þe lond.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., I. pr. iv. (1868), 16. He comaunded but þat þei voided þe citee of Rauenne by certeyne day assigned þat men scholde … chasen hem out of toune.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xxxv. Smale deer be kynde will rather voyde his couert þan will a gret herte.
c. 1440. Generydes, 3335. He sent the word,… To voyde his grownde and tary not to long.
c. 1440. Alph. Tales, 236. I sulde sla þe with my hynder fete becauce þou wolde not voyde þe way, & giff me rowm to pass by þe.
c. 1500. Melusine, xxxvii. 297. Goo your way & voyde my syght.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xxv. 36. So this syr Robert was fayne to voyde the realme of Fraunce, and went to Namure.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619), 140. Paulus would not depart the Church, neither void the house.
1631. Weever, Anc. Funeral Mon., 716. They voyded the Church, falling … as they sought to get out of the same.
1654. trans. Martini’s Conq. China, 36. They … withall commanded them speedily to voyd the City.
1732. Sir C. Wogan, Lett., 27 Feb., in Swift’s Wks. (1841), II. 670. The whole shoal of virtuosoes were sensible to the stroke, and voided the room at once.
† b. To dismount from (a horse). Obs.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. xvi. 58. Thenne the kynge of the C knyghtes voyded the hors lyghtly.
† c. To cover, move over (ground) in progression. Obs.–1
1608. Topsell, Serpents, 218. They are slow of pace, and voyde ground very sluggishlie, and therfore it is iustly termed a heauy and slothfull beast.
d. To vacate (a seat). rare.
1853. Miss E. S. Sheppard, Ch. Auchester, II. v. 38. Before I could gather with my glance who had left them, several seats were voided beneath us.
1885. Daily Tel., 17 Dec. (Cassell’s). A wholesale system of voiding seats.
6. To remove (something) so as to leave a vacant space; to take, put or clear away; occas., to remove by emptying or taking out. Now rare.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 1159. For with an apparence a clerk may make To mannes sighte þat alle the Rokkes blake Of Britaigne weren yvoyded euerichon.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 231. Afterward hem stant no doute To voide with a soubtil hond The beste goodes of the lond.
c. 1400. Beryn, 1898. Let al yeur marchandise Be voidit of yeur Shippis.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 12. Þe Abbot & þe priour togydere seydin to þe scolere þat god had voydyd his synnes out of þat lettere, in counfortyng him þat his synnes ben forgeuyn.
1466. in Leland, Collect. (1715), VI. 11. The Sewer geveth a voyder to the Carver, and he doth voyde into it the Trenchers … and so cleanseth the table cleane.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, II. iv. (1883), 51. He voyded the mete and toke the vayssell.
1530. Palsgr., 769/1. I voyde a thyng out of the way, or out of syght, je oste.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., VI. vii. 43. A roll of linen,… With which his locks … Were bound about, and voyded from before.
1629. Hobbes, Thucyd. (1822), 113. The earth being drawn away below and settling over the part where it was voided.
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, Goth. Wars, IV. 129. And having voyded away much earth from beneath those timbers, they shook … the Wall, and a part of it suddenly sunk.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 18 Dec. 1685. The spectators … were exceedingly pleas’d to see in what a moment of time all that curious work was demolish’d, the comfitures voided, and the tables clear’d.
1855. Browning, Epistle, 40. ’Sooth, it elates me, thus reposed and safe, To void the stuffing of my travel-scrip And share with thee whatever Jewry yields.
phr. c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (1911), 78. I shal … Voyde the chaff, & gadryn out the corn. Ibid. (1430–40), Bochas, IX. xxxviii. Lenvoye (1558), 37/1. Voyde [ye] the wede, of vertue take the corne.
† b. To clear away by destruction or demolition. Obs.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1013. Þis was a vengaunce violent þat voyded þise places, Þat foundered has so fayr a folk & þe folde sonkken. Ibid., C. 370.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1338. He blisches to þe burȝe & sees his bild voidid, Als bare as a bast his baistell a-way.
1464. Rolls of Parlt., V. 569/2. That all such Weres, Milles and Demmynges,… should be voided and clene beten downe.
† c. With immaterial object. Obs.
Not always clearly distinguishable from sense 11.
1382. Wyclif, Job xv. 4. As myche as in thee is, thou hast voidid drede.
c. 1399. Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 13. Bot who that is of charité perfit, He voideth alle sleightes ferr aweie.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 287. Þis mynde schal voyde fro þe suche euyll demynges, & euyll thouȝtys, woordys, and dedys.
a. 1500. Chaucer’s Dreme, 2184. I find ne might … thing that kerved,… Wherewith I might my woful pains Have voided with bleeding of my vains.
c. 1530. Crt. of Love, 628. I me bethought … Myne orison right goodly to devyse, And plesauntly … Beseech the goddes voiden my grevaunce.
a. 1553. Udall, Royster D., Prol. (Arb.), 10. Mirth recreates our spirites and voydeth pensiuenesse.
1656. J. Smith, Pract. Physick, 12. The cause that is joyned with it [the carbuncle] must be voided, with scarification deep enough.
† d. To remove or take off (a helmet, etc.). Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 7092. He was glad of the gome, & o gode chere Voidet his viser, auentid hym seluyn.
c. 1407. Lydg., Reson & Sens., 1208. Thilke tyme, as I took hede, Her helme was voyded from hir hede.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VII. xxiii. 249. He stroke doune that knyghte and voyded his helme and strake of his hede.
† e. To cast, fling or throw away (a sword); to bring or blow down (leaves). Obs.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4145. Vulturnus þe violent þat voidis doun þe leuys.
c. 1400. Melayne, 1069. And Charles voydede his broken brande, Owte he hent a knyfe in hande.
7. Of persons, animals or their organs: To discharge (some matter) from the body through a natural vent or orifice, esp. through the excretory organs; to eject by excretion or evacuation; † also, to spit or pour forth (venom).
Now the usual sense. † Also (b) formerly with out.
(a) c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1893. The vertu expulsif or animal … Ne may the venym voyden ne expelle.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. xli. (Bodl. MS.). For humours þat comeþ of þe melte … mowe not be yuoided att þe fulle.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, II. (1895), 203. Sumetymes whyles those thynges be … voided, wherof is in the body ouer great abundaunce.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 124. The more filth he voides at the mouth, the better will it be for him.
a. 1617. Hieron, Wks. (1620), II. 15. What good will a mans meate doe him, if he void it vp, through weaknesse of stomake, as fast as it is eaten?
1617. Moryson, Itin., I. 215. My brother … fell, and voided much blood at the nose.
1684. Boyle, Porousn. Anim. & Solid Bod., vi. 53. The Purulent matter hath been voided by Siege and Urine.
1738. Gentl. Mag., VIII. 548/2. Mr. D. … took the Medicines, voided three small Stones, and became perfectly well.
1766. State. D. Macdonald v. Dk. Gordon, Pursuer’s Proof 7. The he-fish they carried off with them, and [he] has seen them often voiding the melt at their bellies.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Obs., 243. The patient voided his urine by the natural channel.
1815. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., iv. (1816), I. 91. A white line, which … he found to consist of innumerable Acari, precisely the same with those that he had voided.
1867. F. Francis, Angling, iii. (1880), 100. It is astonishing what a vast number of eggs the female perch will void.
transf. and fig. 1599. Shaks., Hen. V., III. v. 52. The Valleyes, whose low Vassal Seat, The Alpes doth spit, and void his rhewme vpon.
1651. Cleveland, Hecatomb Mistress, 69. Thou man of mouth,… whose Musk-cat verse Voids nought but flowers for thy Muses herse.
1655. Vaughan, Silex Scint., I. Rules & Lessons, xiii. That’s base wit, That voyds but filth and stench.
1664. Butler, Hud., II. iii. 742. For Anaxagoras … Believ’d the Heavens were made of Stone, Because the Sun had voided one.
1883. Villari, Machiavelli, II. ii. III. 274. No sooner were the Tarquins dead than the nobles began to void their venom on the people.
(b) 1587. Golding, De Mornay, ii. (1592), 15. By one part the things that are needfull are taken in, and by another the things that are superfluous are voyded out.
1645. Pagitt, Heresiogr. (1661), 167. We read of Arrius an Arch-heretick, that voided out his bowels at the Jakes.
B. absol. To evacuate; to vomit.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), vi. Whan þe wolfe sees [the greyhounds] and he be fulle, he voydeth both before and behynde alle in his rennynge.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. i. Furies, 296. Still her monstrous maw Voyds in devouring.
1655. Culpepper, etc., Riverius, IX. vii. 267. It is not good to void sparingly in a crisis.
1731. Swift, Strephon & Chloe, Wks. 1755, IV. I. 154. The bride must either void or burst.
1832. Motherwell, Poet. Wks. (1847), 44.
| While one and all | |
| Hissed, fought, and voided on their thrall. |
† 8. To carry off or drain away (water, etc.); to discharge or let out. Obs.
14[?]. Sir Beues (O.), 1320. A water thorough that preson ranne, To voyde the ffilth from any man.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. 699. Euery hous … With spoutis þoruȝ, & pipes … Voyding filþes low in-to þe grounde.
c. 1450. Merlin, ii. 38. When the water was all voided thei saugh the two stones.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., 142. You must looke … that where they [sc. sheepcots] stande, the grounde be made fayre and euen … that the vrine may be well voyded away. Ibid., 173. The water being voyded and kept out by Sluses and Bankes.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 586. The mountaine that was digged through … to void away the water out of the lough or meere Fucinus. Ibid. (1610), Camden’s Brit. (1637), 213. Under this Middleton, there is voided also another river.
1648. Wilkins, Math. Magick, II. xv. (1680), 289–90. Every Circumvolution voiding only so much [water] as is contained in one Helix?
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), I. 91. One of these Pumps … will void a vast Quantity of Water in an Hour, with a great deal of ease.
† b. To empty out (water, etc.) from a vessel.
1460–70. Bk. Quintessence, 5. Aftir þat þis erþly water be voydid, putte [etc.].
1530. Palsgr., 769/1. I voyde, I emptye, je vuyde. Ibid., Voyde this water.
a. 1577. Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng. (1609), 60. As a water held in a close and dark vessel issueth out, & is voyded and emptied.
† c. Of a river or stream. Also refl. and absol., to discharge into the sea or another river. Obs.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. ii. Colonies, 62. Ob, the King of Rivers … In Scythian Seas voyding his violent load.
1600. J. Pory, trans. Leo’s Africa, 44. Finally it voideth into the sea at two mouths, one of which mouthes is a mile broad.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 466. A little above it, the river Blith voideth it selfe into the sea.
1633. Bp. Hall, Occas. Medit. (ed. 3), § 19. 45. When the little rivulets have once voyded themselves into the mayne streames.
† 9. To make by excavation; to cut or hollow out (a hole, etc.). Obs.
1575. Laneham, Lett. (1871), 51. Holez wear thear also, and cauerns,… voyded intoo the wall.
III. † 10. To leave alone, set aside; to abstain or refrain from; to have nothing to do with. Obs. a. A thing, action, course of conduct, etc. = AVOID v. 8 b.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 744. Nay þaȝ faurty forfete ȝet fryst I a whyle, & voyde away my vengaunce. þaȝ me vyl þynk.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 105. For he doth al his thing be gesse, And voideth alle sikernesse.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4017. Ho … voidet all vanities, & virtus dissyret.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, IV. 1072. Be wisdam lete vs voide pride And wilfulnes.
1435. Misyn, Fire of Love, 12. Þai haue wodid old vnthriftynes of venemus lyfe.
1534. More, Comf. agst. Trib., II. Wks. 1190/2. He fyrmely purposeth vpon it, no lesse glad to do it, then a nother man wolde be glad to voyde it.
1681. R. L’Estrange, Tully’s Offices, 64. Beware … to void things that look Harsh, Rough, and Uncivil.
b. A person or persons: = AVOID v. 8 a.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 295. I voyde companye, I fle gladnesse.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 249. William … was i-corowned kyng at Westmynstre of Aldredus archebisshop of York, and voydede Stygandus archebisshop of Caunterbury.
c. 1400. Beryn, 2456. Good sir,… why do yee voide me?… I woll ȝewe no more harm.
1607. Shaks., Cor., IV. v. 88. For if I had fear’d death, Of all the Men i th’ world I would haue voided thee.
† 11. To keep clear of, to escape from or evade (something injurious or troublesome); = AVOID v. 9. Obs.
In later use containing a mixture of sense 6 c.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 30. We þat hoten grete avowis to voiden angus and siiknessis of þis liif.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 347. And for þe Romayns scholde somdel voide þe cruelnesse, he made trompoures blowe.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 2424 (Dubl.). Bot whilke of yow as foundes frist on fote vs agayns, Sall neuer voyde my dysdane ne my derfe Ire.
1444. Rolls of Parlt., V. 127/2. To eschewe and voyde the perils in thes seid Articles … expressed.
1513. More, Rich. III. (1883), 48. A merveilous case it is to here, either the warninges of that he should haue voided, or the tokens of that he could not voide.
c. 1520. Skelton, Magnyf., 300. Let se this checke yf ye voyde canne.
c. 1580. in Eng. Hist. Rev., July (1914), 524. He may rise or fall his price accordinglye and void manye inconveniences wiche the unskillfull fall in to.
1606. Bryskett, Civ. Life, 16. The labyrinth which I desire most to eschew and voide.
1620. Frier Rush, 18. For to voyde all tribulations and misfortunes that might fall in time to come.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1682, I. 15. For voiding which prejudices … I shall … propose some of those innumerable advantages.
† b. To get out of the way of (a blow, person, etc.); to avoid in this way. Obs.
c. 1450. Merlin, x. 159. He … leide a-boute hym on bothe sides, and slow all that he raught with a full stroke, so that thei voyded hys strokes and made hym rome.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. vi. 3. As soone as th’ other nigh approaching, vewed The armes he bore, his speare he gan abase, And voide his course.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 106. He had given streight commandement … that no man should trouble him, and all the way voided as many as were comming towards him.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, V. ix. (1840), 258. A patron of pilgrimages, not able to void the blow yet willing to break the stroke of so … plain a testimony.
† 12. To prevent or obviate; to keep or ward off; = AVOID v. 10. Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 12109. Hit hade doutles ben done, and hire deth voidid, Had not Calcas þe cursit carpit before.
1509. Parl. Devylles, xxxviii. if I temple hym wt lechery, I must me hyde. He voydeth me of with chastyte.
1528. More, in St. Papers Hen. VIII., I. 285. Hym selfe and Your Grace, if it may be voided, wold be as lothe to have eny warre with theym.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, Sonn. Late Peace, xl. Henry our King, our Father, voyds our dangers, And … planteth Peace in France.
1722. W. Hamilton, Wallace, 4. To void a bloody Civil War, The two Contendants should submit the Thing, To the Decision of the English King.
IV. 13. intr. To go away, depart, withdraw from or leave a place or position; to retire or retreat; to give place, make way; to vanish or disappear: = AVOID v. 6. Now Obs. or arch.
Also const. (b) with advs., as aside, away, hence, thence, out, or (c) with preps. as from, of, out of, to.
a. Of persons or animals.
(a) 13[?]. Coer de L., 2192. The folk of the countre gan renne, And were fain to void and flenne.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, II. 912. So whan it liked hire to gon to reste, And voyded were þey þat voyden oughte.
c. 1400. Beryn, 2285. ‘Nay, thou shalt nat void,’ he seid, ‘my tale is nat i-do.’
c. 1430. Lydg., Beware of Doubleness, 52. What man may … holde a snake by the tail, Or a sliper eel constraine That it nil voide, withouten fail.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. xvi. 58. Yonder I see the moste valyaunt knyght of the world…, wherfore we must nedes voyde or deye.
1534. More, Treat. Passion, Wks. 1275/2. He voyded not at Gods commyng, but abode to see the sentence of theyr dampnacion.
a. 1553. Udall, Royster D., III. iii. (Arb.), 48. Voyde sirs, see ye not maister Roister Doister come? Make place my maisters.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 756. Whose warres whoso well consider, he shall no lesse commend his wisedome where he voyded, then his manhood where he vanquished.
1606. Holland, Sueton., 102. He caused all his traine and company to void.
[1896. J. H. Wylie, Hist. Eng. Hen. IV., lxxxvii. III. 477. As he almost got knocked down in a crowd, he very soon voided.]
(b) 1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, I. iii. (Skeat), l. 140. Although I might hence voyde, yet wolde I not.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xi. For whann a wilde boore is in a stronge hate of wode, peraventure … he wolde not voyed þens for þe rennynge houndes.
14[?]. W. Paris, Cristine, 435 (Horstm., 1878). She bade the serpens voyde awaye In to deserte.
1570. Foxe, A. & M. (ed. 2), I. 89/1. The brethren voyded a side, and withdrew themselues.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., 349. Erecthius and Aristomenes … voided aside to farre remote and hidden corners.
(c) a. 1400–50. Alexander, 1113. Þan waynest him þis vayne God & voidis fra þe chambre.
c. 1450. Merlin, vii. 108. Thei … dide hem wele to wite … that he sholde in all haste voide oute of the londe and the contree.
14[?]. in Hist. Coll. Citizen London (Camden), 208. The quene hyrynge thys she voydyde unto Walys.
c. 1540. Order in Battayll, B iij b. [To] remowe hys hoste … & voyde to some sure forteresse.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par., Luke xi. 107 b. Jesus … commanded the deuil to voide out of hym, and he voided.
1587. Mascall, Govt. Cattle, Hogges (1627), 290. The strong sauor thereof wil cause the moules to void from those places.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXIV. xxix. 529. So they went their waies and voided clean out of Sicilie.
b. Of things, material and immaterial.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1548. Þenne hit [sc. the hand] vanist verayly & voyded of syȝt, Bot þe lettres bileued ful large vpon plaster.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. x. (Skeat), l. 34. So thilke bodily goodes at the laste mote awaye, and than stinge they at her goinge, wherthrough entreth and clene voydeth al blisse of this knot.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 7029. And the duke with a dynt derit hym agayn, Þat the viser & the ventaile voidet hymn fro. Ibid., 7133. Wen þe day vp drogh, & þe dym voidit.
c. 1430. Hymns Virgin (1867), 65. Þi fleischeli lustis þou muste spare, For vicis and vertues wole voide atwynne.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Aug., 164. Let all that sweete is, voyd; and all that may augment My doole, drawe neare.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1594), 44. So when the soule filleth it selfe with certaine and true goods, vanitie voideth and giveth place.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 567. Least that the smell or fume doe fade, and voide away.
† c. To give up possession or occupancy of a place. Obs.–1
1518. Yorkshire Deeds (Yorks. Archæol. Soc., 1914), II. 92. If the said Cristofer haue nede … to com and dwell vpon the said fermehold … then the said John to wode of it vpon resonable warnyng.
† 14. To give oneself up to, devote one’s time to, something. Obs.–1
1382. Wyclif, Esther ix. 17. Thei ordeyneden … that in that time eche ȝer therafter thei shulden voiden [L. vacarent] to plenteuous metis … and to ioȝe, and to festis.
† 15. To form an interval between. Obs.–1
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 41. Dayes and monþes þat voydede bytwene tweie Kynges were forgendred.
† 16. Of a benefice, etc.: To become, fall or remain vacant. Obs.
a. 1380. St. Ambrose, 204, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 204. Hit befel afturward sikerliche Þat in a cite voyded a bisschopriche.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 109. After þe passioun of Marcellinus þe pope, þe see voydede meny dayes.
1421. Hen. V., in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. III. I. 71. Hit is wel oure entent whanne any sucche benefice voydeth of oure yifte yat ye make collacion to him yrof.
1444. Rolls of Parlt., V. 75/1. When sumever hit happen the said House or Hospitall here alter to void by deth … or any other wise.
1531. Dial. on Laws Eng., II. xxxvii. N ij b. It ys sayd that benefyces, dygnytyes, and personages, voydynge in the court of Rome may not be gyuen but by the Pope.
† 17. Of matter, etc.: To come, flow or pass out, esp. in or by evacuation or excretion; to issue. Obs.
1558. Warde, trans. Alexis’ Secr. (1568), 41 b. To the intent that al the venom may comme out and voide from the heart.
1561. Hollybush, Hom. Apoth., 33. The … gut through the whyche the ordure voydeth.
1596. Danett, trans. Comines (1614), 213. By meanes whereof all fumes voided that troubled his head.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 433. Presently the filth and excrements will void cleane away.
1678. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., v. 83. Knock hard upon it, till … the Basil of The Chissel will no longer force the chips out of the Mortess: then … work … till the Chips will void no longer.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), V. 244. It feeds chiefly upon pepper, which it devours very greedily, gorging itself in such a manner, that it voids crude and unconcocted.
