also 4–6 alyen(e, 4–9 aliene. [a. OFr. aliéne-r:—L. aliēnā-re to estrange or make another’s; f. aliēn-us: see ALIEN a.] = ALIENATE, of which it is the earlier equivalent.
1. trans. To convert into an alien or stranger. Usually fig. To estrange, turn away in feelings or affection, to make averse or hostile, or unwelcome.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boethius, 27. Þei may not al arace hym ne alyene hym in al.
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. xi. 36. She shal … alienen thee fro thi propre weies.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 189. To aliene the fast and entire mind, which his highness beareth to your holiness.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., i. (1821), 227. The fame … would alien me to loath this kind of life.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. II. 111. The hearts of his Subjects were not then alien’d from their duty to the King.
1864. Ld. Derby, Iliad, I. 661. Yet shalt thou … rather thus Be alien’d from my heart.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 157. Poetry had not been aliened from the people.
2. To transfer the property or ownership of anything; to make over to another owner. (In this sense often written aliene.)
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, I. xxx. 34. A servaunt may make no testament … to alyene ony goodes out of his lordes hond.
c. 1595. J. Norden, Spec. Brit., Cornw. (1728), 14. None may alien or dispose of his tynn, till it be coyned.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, II. 451. He might alien the Crowne from his naturall Heires.
1658. Bramhall, Consecr. Bish., viii. 189. If he alien any Lands belonging to his See.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., II. 289. He was not empowered to aliene.
1876. K. Digby, Real Prop., v. § 2. 216. If tenant in tail aliened the land with warranty.
† 3. refl. and intr. To turn away, go off. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Macc. vi. 24. The sonys of oure peple for this thing alieneden hem fro vs.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. Whan it is seen that it [the pulse] alyeneth to vnequalyte, and that it minissheth, the veyne ought to be stopped.
