v. Obs.; also 4–5 atame. [a. OF. atame-r:—L. attāminā-re to lay hands on, attack, violate, f. at- = ad- to, at + tāmināre, f. -tāmen = *tagmen touch, from tangĕre, tag-, to touch. Cf. mod.F. entamer. For att- see AT- pref.3]
1. trans. To cut into; to penetrate, pierce.
c. 1314. Guy Warw., 261. The smallest scale that on him is, No wepen no may atame.
c. 1440. Morte Arth., 2175. The boustous launce þe bewelles attamede.
1494. Fabyan, VI. clxi. 154. At the hede the fysshe shall be fyrste attamyd [L. a capite aggrediendus est].
2. To pierce (a cask, etc.) so as to let the liquor run out; to broach. Hence Attamed ppl. a., Attaming vbl. sb.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XX. 68. He vnbokelede hus boteles, and boþe he a-tamede.
c. 1425. Leg. Rood (1871), 210. He let atame hys pyement tunne.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 16. Attamyn a wesselle wyth drynke, or abbrochyn, Attamino, depleo. Ibid. Atthamynge of a wesselle wyth drynke, Attaminacio. Athamyd, attaminatus.
3. To attack, lay hands on, meddle with.
c. 1430. Lydg., Bochas, IV. xxiii. 121 a. It is not holsome with goddes to playe, Nor their puissaunce presumteously to attame.
c. 1450. ‘Chaucer’s’ Dreme, 1128. That a queene Of your estate … In any wise shoulde be attamed.
4. To enter or venture upon, begin, undertake. (Cf. fig. uses of attack, broach.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Nonnes Preestes Prol., 52. Right anon his tale he hath attamed.
a. 1420. Occleve, De Reg. Princ., 2795. Hem deynethe not an accioun atame At comon lawe.
c. 1430. Lydg., MS. Soc. Antiq. No. 134. 8 (Halliw.). He schulde anone attame Another of newe.
b. with inf.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. ii. And gan also attempten and attame … A new towre to edify agayne. Ibid. (c. 1430), MS. Soc. Antiq. No. 134. 1. Sithen Adam dide atame The frute to ete.
