v. Obs. Forms: pa. pple. (and pa. t.) 4 solwid (sulwed), soluid, solewid, 4–5 solwyd, solowed; 5 inf. sol(o)wyn. [Related to older Flem. soluwen, seulewen, MHG. sulwen, or to OHG. solagôn, sologôn (MHG. solgen, also sulgen): cf. SOL a. and SOLE v.3]
1. trans. To defile, soil, sully.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 10637. Vr lauerd wil him neuer bede To saul þat solewid es wit sinn. Ibid., 22491. Lauerd! how mai we þan þis thole, Þat es sua sulwed in vr sin.
c. 1425. Cast. Persev., 3421, in Macro Plays, 179. Man hathe … solwyd hes sovle with synnys seuene.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 464/1. Solwyn, or fowlyn (P. solowyn), maculo, deturpo. Ibid. Solwynge (P. solowynge), deturpacio, sordidacio.
2. intr. To become soiled or dirty.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 9152. Heere ne nayles neuer grewe, Ne solowed cloþes, ne turned hewe.
