[f. prec. sb.]

1

  1.  trans. To cover with or as with a film. Also, to film over, † up.

2

1602.  Shaks., Ham., III. iv. 147.

        It will but skin and filme the Vlcerous place,
Wil’st ranke Corruption mining all within,
Infects vnseene.

3

a. 1656.  Bp. Hall, Rem., Wks. (1660), 251. It is thine ignorant and grosse infidelity that hath filmed up thine eyes, that thou canst discerne no spiritual object.

4

1700.  C. Davenant, Disc. Grants, Introd. 7. They do but film over a sore which breaks out afterwards with greater rancour.

5

1794.  Coleridge, Relig. Musings, Wks. (1829), I. 90.

        And curse your spells, that film the eye of Faith,
Hiding the present God.

6

1876.  Farrar, Marlb. Serm., xxix. 290. Would you linger by the stagnant pool because its surface is filmed with the iridescence of decay?

7

  2.  intr. for refl. To become covered with a film (as the eyes); to grow dim or obscure as though covered with a film; hence (poet. rare) of distant objects, to become hazy, fade away. Also, to film over.

8

1844.  Mrs. Browning, The Dead Pan xxx.

        Pythia staggered,—feeling o’er her,
Her lost god’s forsaking look;
Straight her eyeballs filmed with horror,
And her crispy fillets shook.

9

1850.  Neale, Med. Hymns (1867), 52.

        Sense hath perished, tongue is rigid,
  Eyes are filming o’er in death,
Palpitates the breast, and hoarsely
  Gasps the rattling throat for breath.

10

1877.  S. Lanier, Poems, A Florida Ghost, 5.

        Past far-off palms that filmed to nought,
  Or in and out the cunning keys
That laced the land like fragile patterns wrought
    To edge old broideries.

11