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This verb derives from the same etymon as prester1, but – as either a verbal derivative of prest2 or an aphetic form of aprester1 – is treated separately, mainly on semantic grounds. Even so, and with only a few attestations for prester2, the distinction remains often ambiguous.
v.refl.
to get ready, prepare:
(
s.xiiiin; MS: s.xiii2
)
‘Seynurs’, fet il, ‘alez vus prester’
Boeve 1601
(
1280-1307; MS: s.xiv1
)
Walays a fuyr tapisaunt se prest (var. (L: s.xv1) s’apreste), En mores et mountaynes de roberye se pest
LANGTOFT thiol2 415.2242
p.p. as a.
(of a person) ready, waiting to serve or assist:
(
s.xii4/4; MS: s.xii4/4
)
fai quanque faire voldras, Kar a tut prestee (var. (P: s.xiii2) preste) me verras
S Cathbarking 2502
estre presté de (+ inf.)
to be ready, waiting to:
(
1472
)
Et auxi ordeignez est [...] qe lez collectours de mesme la subsidie et le dit countrollour soient a tout temps requisit prestiez d’enseler tiel marchaundise
Stats ii 434
prester2 (s.xii4/4)