Middle English Dictionary Entry
dighten v.
Entry Info
Forms | dighten v. Also dīten, dihten, diȝten, diȝthen, disten, dithen. Forms: sg. 3 dighteth & diȝt; p. dight(e & dighted; ppl. i)dight, idigt, digth, i)diht, idist, idift, i)dit, i)dith, i)diȝth, ediȝt, ȝediht & dighted. |
Etymology | OE dihtan, p. dihte (from L dictāre). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1a.
(a) To prepare (sth.), get ready for use; dig (a grave), tune (one's voice), polish (arrows, instruments), repair (equipment); (b) to ornament (sth.), adorn; dye (a cloth) [quot.St.Anne]; (c) to saddle (a horse, an ass); (d) to prepare (food, drink, a meal); (e) to dress (a carcass, part of a carcass); (f) to prepare (a corpse) for burial; (g) to cultivate (land, soil, grain, vines); (h) med. to anoint (a wound, etc.), treat (an injured member); prepare (a medicament).
Associated quotations
a
- c1175 Body & S.(1) (Bod 343)3 : Ac hit [the grave] nes no idiht, ne þeo deopnes imeten; Nes ȝyt iloced, hu long hit þe were.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1655 : Heo..hire steuene dihte, An song so schille & so brihte.
- a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344)589 : Þe Maydenes hare lampes diȝte.
- c1330 SMChron.(Auch)1190 : To fische her nett þai diȝt bliue.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)77.24 : Ȝyf he myȝt ȝyf brede oþer dyȝt borde [L parere mensam] to hys folk.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1620 : Daunces disgisi redi diȝt were, & selcouþ songes.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1630 : Ful pryuely two harneys hath he dight.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.6876 : Thei bede..Tuo sondri beddes to be dyht.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.974 : She gan the hous to dighte, And tables for to sette and beddes make.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24779 : Scippes did he dight him þar Intil jngland for to fare.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24828 : Þai dightid [Phys-E: diht] him his scipping son.
- (1417) J.Dernell in Nrf.Archaeol.15126 : Item, a lode Marle ij d.; alday after schod oure hors & dyȝght oure harneys.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)941 : Ten brode arowis hild he there..they were shaven wel and dight, Nokked and fethered aright.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4240 : His instrumentis wolde he dight, For to blowe and make sown.
- c1430(c1386) Chaucer LGW (Benson-Robinson)2611 : Sacryfices ben ful redy dighte.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)173/151 : My lorde, þe tabyl is redy dyght.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)830 : Shypmen..Dyght her takulle on ryche a-cyse.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)2/1 : Þou schalt furst dyȝt þy cloþ.
b
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)202 : Wyth lappez large..Dubbed with double perle and dyȝte.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)2757 : Þe clothes er full wele dyght.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Is.40.19 : Whether a smyth schal welle togidere an ymage..and a worchere in siluer schal diȝte it with platis of siluer?
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)85/8 : He enterde into a chambir..mervaylously dyght and ryche.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)203/1612s : The helme was dyght rychely With pipes of gold and ryche pery.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)177 : Thys cloth ys rychely dyght.
c
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)1423 : He dede comand..Douke, erl, baroun & kniȝt To diȝt her hors & make hem ȝare Wiþ him oȝain Merlin to fare.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)2.150 : Lette apparayle prouisours on Palfreis wyse..And alle Denes and Sodenes as Destreres dihten, For þei schullen beren Bisschops.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Gen.22.3 : Thanne Abraham..diȝte [WB(2): sadlide; L stravit] his asse.
- c1475(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9:French&Hale)487 : Hur horse for þe King was dyȝte.
d
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)112/21 : Þet bread is wel precious an wel noble and wel ydiȝt.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)7.278 : Þenne may I dihte thi dyner.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24398 : Þai did him dight a bitter drink..of gall of aissil graid.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)43/912 : Þer is no dayntet e-dyȝt þat pay hym þai con.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)320 : Þe husbond..may comaunde þe wijf..to diȝte mete and drynke.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)70/16 : Þei wer fayn to dite him fisch.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)593 : Furst haue a sight Þat it be clene from skyn & senow or ye begyn to dight.
e
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)486 : Þe erber diȝt he ȝare.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)137/17 : Than kynge Arthure blewe the pryce and dyght the harte.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)36/16 : Take a ȝonge chyke and dyȝt him and take out þe gottus and put hym and meng hym with wex; roste hym.
f
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)216 : Ȝef eny were so hardi þe body to remuy, also to dyhte.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)24552 : Nichodeme..Wit ioseph nam þat cors to dight, To beri als was best.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)7204 : Porphyrye þe body..Bar owte þe felde & it wele dyht Wyth swete oynementys.
g
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)103/20 : Þai hafe amanges þam men of oure stature, þe whilk telez þe land and dightez vynes.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)2.81 : Yf the vyne is dight with mannes hond, Too fote & half ther must vnered stond.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)3.29 : At Marche Kalendes in the soile ydight In gardyn wise, is flores forth to sprede.
- (1446) Doc.in Morsbach Origurk.32 : The seyd william Palmere schall felle and dite the medwe.
- c1475(a1400) Amadace (Tay 9)p.51 : We myȝte noȝte this faurtenyȝte Owre riche londus dele and diȝte.
- a1500(1381) Knighton Chron.Contin.(Cld E.3)139 : Lat Peres the Plowman my brother duelle at home and dyȝt us corne.
h
- a1400 Cursor (Frf 14)14064 : Ho hir oynement me boȝt & diȝt [Vsp: smerd; Trin-C: anoynt] þar-wiþ my fote & shank.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)319/14 : Þan wrynge out þi stupis..& diȝte oile of rosis & a defensif of bole.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)320/31 : Þouȝ þe fyngir ne be but a litil lyme, ȝitt þou muste haue good kunnyng..for to diȝte it wel.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)308/35 : Betonye with rewe sothyn and dyth, For-doth in-nurked of mannys syth.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)326 : She wolle..send for lechis..youre woundis for to hele and dight.
- a1500(?a1425) Lambeth SSecr.(Lamb 501)85/2 : Put þer-ynne of þe forsayd dightyd hony thre Rotes.
1b.
(a) To make preparations, get ready; prepare (sb.), marshal (an army for oneself); refl. prepare oneself, get ready (to do sth.); ppl. dight, ready, prepared; (b) to dress or equip (sb., oneself); ~ hewe, cover (one's) face; ~ naked, strip (oneself) naked; ppl. dight, arrayed, dressed, armed; (c) to adorn (oneself) with cosmetics; (d) fig. to prepare (sb. by shrift); clothe (sb. in old age, etc.); adorn (sb. with innocence, virtue, etc.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12429 : Seoððe heo heom dihten to bi-witen þa dich mid cnihten.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)27336 : Þa þas ferde wes al idiht þa wes hit dai-liht.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1373 : We..haueð idiht us todei for to drehen þis deað.
- c1330 SMChron.(Auch)919 : Þe king anon him lete diȝt Ten hundred of gode kniȝt & gode armour þat hem fel to.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)776 : Deliuerly was he diȝt uch day at morwe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.5248 : Of men of Armes he him dighte A strong pouer.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)6409 : He seide chese þe men & diȝt wiþ sir Amalec to fiȝt.
- c1400(1375) Canticum Creat.(Trin-O 57)439 : Eue diȝte here to childyng And þo þe child..Anon was fallen here fro, Op he sterte [etc.].
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)15/25 : King Edward vnto sail was ful sune dight.
- a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17)289 : Lat dyght messangers ȝare Aftir hym for to fare.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)4963 : Þey scholden..dyȝten hem al redy þan At morwen to ffyȝte wiþ þe Sawdan.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)922 : He desiris his deth & diȝtis þare-fore.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)167 : At morow shall ye dyne and dight.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)922 : He desired hys deyde & dight hym þarfore.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15711 : A muchel cniht, al of golde idiht.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15741 : Þe nunne beh hire hæfde adun & hire huȝe dihte.
- c1330 SMChron.(Auch)911 : When ich was diȝt, Soþ to seyn ich was a kniȝt.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)47/13 : Leuedys..ofte..sseaweþ and diȝteþ [F appareillent] ham þe more quaynteliche.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)217/4 : Ac hi ssollen be ydift [?read: ydiȝt; F pare]..ase guode wyfmen.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1677 : Ȝef ȝe were disgised & diȝt on any wise, I wot wel witerli ȝe wold be aspied.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3066 : Þe quen..was diȝt wel to riȝtes hendli in þat hinde-skyn.
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1041 : Er it were day, as was hir wone to do, She was arisen and al redy dight.
- c1390 KTars (Vrn)832 : Þe soudan dihte him naked a-non.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3364 : For to tak hir better dight, Sco belted hir bettur on hir wede.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)19.2 : I awaked..And diȝte me derely & dede me to cherche.
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)19/12 : And the kinges doughters diȝt and made hem redy in her best wise.
- c1460(?c1400) Beryn (Nthld 55)657 : A morow..Was noon of al the feleshippe half so sone I-diȝte As was the gentil Pardoner.
- a1475(a1450) Tourn.Tott.(Hrl 5396)148 : All þe bachelerys..were dyȝt i[n] aray, as þamselfe wold be.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)2134 : Dight we vs in Ryche Araye, Bothe with spere And with shelde.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)395 : Þe cloth vpon her shone so bryȝth, When she was þer-yn y-dyȝth, She semed non erdly þyng.
- a1500 Rich.(Dc 228)98/1 : He was dyth rychely.
c
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)69/16 : Folke saide she popped and farded her. And y sawe hym that folke saide that toke her the thinge that she dite so her selff with.
d
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)87 : Þe fule gost..fint it [the child] emti of iuele gostes and clensed of fule sinnes and diht mid loðlesnesse.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)20/35 : Þou nere naȝt digneliche ydiȝt be ssrifþe.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3559 : Þe man þat sua wit eld es dight.
- c1400 St.Alex.(3) (LdMisc 622)37/382 : In sorouȝ & care my lijf is diȝth, ffor to dye it were my riȝth.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)76/39 : All þat with so grete lufe is dyght.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)360/153 : Moste excellent princes in all vertu that is dith.
1c.
(a) To arrange (sth.), put in order; refl. of persons: arrange themselves; (b) to put or place (sth.); transport (sth. to a ship, over the sea); (c) fig. to place (a land under one's rule); set (a prayer before God); set (oneself above other men); remove (sth. from the heart); remove or save (sb. from death, from death to life, from the Devil's power).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7220 : Julius Scezar..makede þane kalender þe dihteð þane moneð & þe ȝer.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17465 : Nes na mon swa wis iboren þat cuðe þe weorc rihten, & þa stanes dihten.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)17887 : Þe leome þa strehte west riht a seouen bæmen wes idiht.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)27437 : Feouwer eorles and a duc dihten heom to-gadere.
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)87/28 : And se æfen beo swa ȝediht [L agatur], þat hi candeles leoctes æt þam ȝereorde ne behofian.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)19755 : 'Rise,' he said, 'þi bedd þou dight.'
b
- a1350(1307) Execution Fraser (Hrl 2253)116 : He com yn at newegate..a gerland of leues on ys hed ydyht of grene.
- a1350(c1307) Death Edw.I (Hrl 2253)27 : Ich biqueþe myn herte..ouer þe see þat hue be diht.
- ?c1335 Earth(1) (Hrl 913)2/38 : Al we beþ erþ; to erþ we beþ idiȝte.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)3101 : Ȝe ȝongemen..cuþeþ ȝoure miȝte, Hou ȝe mowe þis stones best to ssipe diȝte.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)500 : Houndes on hyde he diȝtes.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)17312 : Ioseph of abaramathi..asked 'qwy Blame me..for I aman in graf diȝt, In a toumb þat was my nawen?'
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)920 : Þer Dauid dere watz dyȝt on trone.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)114 : Þise were diȝt on þe des & derworþly serued.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3415 : A company clene of knightes hom with..Deffebus dight on a dere horse.
- c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042)125 : He was gerede..With many dyamandes full dere dighte one his sleues.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)6612 : On þe pament þai it [a coffin] dyght.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)133 : In þat oþur corner [of tapestry] was dyght Trystram and Isowde so bryȝt.
c
- a1121 Peterb.Chron.(LdMisc 636)an.1107 : On þisum geare..wæs se cyng Henri on Normandig, and þat land on his geweald dihte and sette.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)210/22 : Alle þoȝtes ulessliche and wordleliche me ssel diȝte [F partir] uram þe herte.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)211/17 : Lhord, mj bene bi ydiȝt beuore þe ase þet stor.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.409 : Aboue oþer men þey wil hem diȝte.
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)18043 : Ihesus..him toke & lad away; þat dede from deþ to lif he diȝt.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Eg 614)140.2 fn. : Dighted be mi bede right Als of brininge in þi sight.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)1512 : Thus hath he his modyr from the deth now dyht.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)162/327 : God fful of myght hath us dyght ffro develys dome.
2a.
(a) To rule (sth.), govern (a country), command (an army), manage (a household); rule, be a ruler; ~ and delen; (b) ppl. as noun: dightende, ruler; (c) to guide (sb.), rear (a child), teach, instruct; him was i)dight, he was taught; (d) refl. to rule oneself; ~ to, regulate the behavior of (sb., oneself) toward (another).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)6848 : Alle folc he dude riht; wel wes þisse londe idiht.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)11155 : Costantin heom bitæhte Rome to ræden þa leden, to dihten þere þeoden.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)20563 : Howel sculde dihten þritti þusend cnihten.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1536 : Þe king let diȝte þo þis lond nobliche wiþ alle.
- c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch)192 : Sir Amiloun..He made chef steward..To diȝt al his meine.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)133/83 : Þys ilke mytte..Bryngeþ forþe a wyt of swete aray, Þet no swech nys; For al þat hys an heȝ and loȝe Hit schift and ditteþ ase hys oȝe.
- c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33)3915 : Ihesu..þat al þyng canst boþe dele & diȝt.
- c1450(c1400) Emare (Clg A.2)42 : He was curtays in alle þyng..And welle kowth dele and dyght.
- 1607(?a1425) Chester Pl.(Hrl 2124)101/397 : A Childe..in Bethlem shall be borne, That shall be Duke to dight and deale, and rule the folke of Israell.
b
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)123 : Almihti god, Shuppende and wealdende and dihtende of alle shafte.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)9898 : He wes isende to Rome to leornien in scole; þer him wes swa wel idiht he wes clærc & god cniht.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)14883 : Þas biscopes ferden ȝeond þis lond, & setten hit al a godes hond, & þene cristindom heo rihten, & þat volc þer to dihten.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)23251 : Þa wes Walwain þider icumen..of Rome from þan Pape..þa longe him wes dihte [Otho: he hadde þat child itaht] and makede hine to cnihte.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)147/22 : He chasteþ and diȝt [F adresce] þe foles be þe autorite þet he heþ.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1200 : Minerve..A child forcast..was..caried..Into an Yle fer in Trace..Wher a Norrice hir kepte and dihte.
d
- a1225 Wint.Ben.Rule (Cld D.3)19/21 : Æfter ælc ære ȝewne & ȝewitta, he mot hyre sylua swa to heom eallum hywian and dihtan, þæt heo na ȝeþolia þe heorde..litlia oððo losia.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)7/34 : Þise þri hestes diȝteþ [F ordenent] ous to gode specialliche.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)11/21 : Þis byeþ þe ten hestes, huer-of þe þri uerste ous diȝt wel to god, Þe oþre zeuen ous diȝt to oure nixte.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)9.291 : And yf þow dyght [vrr. diote, diete; A: diȝete; B: diete] þe þus, ich dar legge myn eres, Þat fysyk shal hus forrede hodes for hus fode sulle..legge.
2b.
(a) To predetermine (an event, one's death, the day of one's death), destine; (b) to direct (one's life, an action, a course of action); ~ wei, direct (one's) journey; (c) to decide (to do sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)4/18 : Margarete..as þe deorwurðe drihtin hit dihte, in-to a burh was ibroht.
- a1275 Doomsday (Trin-C B.14.39)6 : Þat fuir sal..Firbernen al þis middeherd, so crist hit wole disten.
- a1300 Edi beo þu (Corp-O 59)49 : Seolcudliche ure louerd hit diȝte þat þu..þat al þis world bicluppe ne miȝte, þu sscholdest of þin boseme bere.
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)27213 : Ȝef hit bi-valleþ ase god him seolf haueþ idiht.
- c1350 Ayenb.App.(Arun 57)270/31 : Ac þe angel is worþy to þe heuene, þe werm to þe erþe. Þe ilke þet made, he dyȝte.
- 1372 I am iesu (Adv 18.7.21)3 : I Am iesu, þat cum to fith..Elles wer þi detz i-dith Ȝif mi fithting ne were.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1643 : Þurȝth destine my deþ is diȝt dere.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4252 : A king..hadde a wif..Be whom, so as fortune it dihte, He hadd of children yonge tuo.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)1338 : He was man & sulde dy When gret god dight ys day.
b
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1460 : Al ichulle dihten þe deden of mi kinedom efter þet tu demest.
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)545 : Lete us so vre lyf in þis world dihte Þat we mote alle cumen to þan eche lyhte.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)124/31 : Be þise uirtue [prudence] al þet man deþ and zayþ and þengþ, al he diȝt and let and reuleþ to þe lyne of scele.
- c1400 St.Alex.(3) (LdMisc 622)19/28 : Religious þat her lijf willen diȝth fforto seruen god almiȝth By tides & by houres.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.224 : Toward Troye ȝour weie was nat diȝt.
c
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1843 : For lo! wið hwucche ich habbe idiht to don þe i mi kinedom.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9369 : We sal tel how þe fader of heuen Dight his dere sun to send.
2c.
(a) To condemn (sb. to death, pain, suffering); destine (a soul to go somewhere); ~ to deth; to deth was dight, was destined to die, died; (b) ~ to deth, to put (sb.) to death, kill; (c) to appoint (sb. to do sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1350 Wiþ longyng (Hrl 2253)25 : Leuedi..my loue is on þe liht..to deþe þou hauest me diht.
- c1330 Þe siker soþe (Auch)49 : When derne deþ ous haþ ydiȝt Is non so war no so wiȝt Þat he no felles him in fiȝt.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.554 : To what peine sche is dyht!
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.127 : Þe date a þousand right a hundreth & fifty, Steuen to dede was dight; now comes þe secunde Henry.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)488 : Why ne dyȝttez þou me to diȝe?
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)55 : Þan said pilat..'whi suld he vnto ded be dight þat mendes all þat he may?'
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)4.1188 : So that his soule hire soule folwen myghte Ther as the doom of Mynos wolde it dighte.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)2036 : Lokeryn, þou art a fol! Þy selue dightest þe to dol.
b
- a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8)16730 : Wiþouten cause is þis mon to þe deþ now diȝt.
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)716 : Ihesu cors fast gan he craue þat þus to ded [vr. tille deede] was dight.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)744 : Þou sall be diȝt to þe deth.
- c1450 Lond.Chron.Cleo.(Cleo C.4)p.120 : Thorow hem many on to deth were dyght.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)39/543 : To dede ar thai dyght..All ar thai slayn.
c
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)34/164 : To kepe hym [Abel] was I [Cain] nevyr dyght.
3a.
(a) To make (sth.); build (a church, house, ship, etc.), create (the earth), form (a body), kindle (a fire); (b) to write (a letter), set (sth.) down in writing; compose (a song); (c) to make (a law, a prohibition); (d) to bring about (salvation, one's own doom); cause (charity to be in sb.); bring about (someone's death).
Associated quotations
a
- a1225(?OE) Vsp.A.Hom.(Vsp A.22)233 : His land is all þes middenard, for he alle ȝesceop and all dihte wið-ute swince.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)32003 : Þa chirchen he gon dihten after Sexisce irihten.
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1547 : His wif is wel nesche & softe, Of faire bleo & wel idiht.
- a1300 Bestiary (Arun 292)363 : Ðe spinnere..ðanne ge it [a web] haueð al idigt, ðeðen ge driueð hitt hire in hire hole.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.1131 : The Greks..Here Hors of Bras let faire dihte.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1665 : A schippe be-houes þe to dight; Þi self sal be þe maister wright.
- a1425(?a1350) 7 Sages(2) (Glb E.9)2311 : A fire þai dight.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)116/1 : Men dyghtez ne makez [F fait] na thing.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)1576 : I walde fayne..Betwen þe flodes a house were dyght.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.72/20 : ij Serges..semely made or diȝth [L paratos]..þey ofte to Offer.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)370/87 : To dele my dome I will descende..how it was dight mans mys to amende all mans kynde ther shall it se.
- a1500(?a1475) Guy(4) (Cmb Ff.2.38)61 : Soche a mayde was neuer ȝere, So feyre schapyn and wele dyght.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7303 : He bi-tæhten heom forð riht a writ þe wes al idiht.
- a1350(c1307) Death Edw.I (Hrl 2253)3 : Herkneþ to my song of duel, þat deþ haþ diht vs newe..of a knyht.
- a1425 This blessyd boke (LdMisc 286)48 : Whos wol it write, I rede hym ryght, wryte on warly lyne be lyne, And make no more then here is dygth.
- c1440 Degrev.(Thrn)153 : A lettre hase he dyghte To þe Erle of gret myghte.
- a1500 X for crystes (StJ-C S.54)p.53 : X for Cristes hymselfe was dyth.
c
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7221 : He [Caesar] dihte [Otho: sette] feole domes þe ȝet stondeð in Rome.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)243 : A defence þat watz dyȝt of Dryȝtyn seluen.
- a1500(?a1400) SLChrist (Hrl 3909)4524 : By noumbre of ten, as I ȝow say, the olde lawe to vs was dyȝt.
d
- a1225(c1200) Vices & V.(1) (Stw 34)39/27 : Al swo behoueþ to charite..michel embeþanc..ær hie bie ȝediht on ðe.
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)p.193 : For myn eȝen seȝen þyn helþe, Þe which þou diȝted [L parasti] tofore þe face of alle folkes.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)151 : He..hent hire so hetterly to haue hire a-strangled þat hire deth was neiȝ diȝt.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.130 : Now wot I wel my deth is diht Thurgh him which scholde have be mi lif.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2662 : He þat him demes to þe dede he dampnes him-selfe, And diȝtis [vr. dytes] him his awen dome.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)40/164 : My bow xal I bende wyght..to shete at som best, and I dar ley a wagour his deth for to dyght.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)249/531 : On of ȝow is besy my deth here to dyth pyght].
- a1500(?a1400) Torrent (Chet 8009)273 : Were ther xx lyvys in the, They [read: Thy] dethe than wyll he dyght.
3b.
(a) To make (sth. into sth. else), change, turn, transform; ~ to; (b) to ordain (sb. a bishop); make (a woman the mother of Jesus); ~ capoun, to caponize (sb.); (c) ~ hol, to make (sb.) whole, heal (sb.); (d) to impel (sb. to do sth.); cause (sb. to have a vision).
Associated quotations
a
- c1390 St.Greg.(Vrn)14/113 : Þe fend of helle dude al his miht Heore loue to turnen in to synne Til hit was þerto brouht and diht.
- a1425-a1500(?c1350) Libeaus (Kaluza)2162 : Þat lady briȝt To a worm was diȝt Þoruȝ craft of charmure.
b
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)260 : Ac ne mot þer non ben inne [the service of maidens]..Bute he also capun beo idiȝt.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)2055 : Bot on a thowsand fald so clene Of god was ordan & dyght.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)836 : Þar was a bischop, columba hight, Þe first bischop in Dunkell dyght.
b
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)2570 : Sho was sone hale..With in thre days all hale dyght.
d
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)222/26 : Riȝt him diȝt [F muet] þerto, and naȝt lecherie.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)35.80 : As they lyen In here bed..To the ȝongest of the fyve In his slepe was diht So that he Say A Certein Avycioun.
4.
(a) To give (sth. to sb.), assign, award; offer (honor), render (service), dedicate (a church, ?a star), give (sb. a name), give (justice to people); ~ dom, give (sb.) the right (to do sth.); (b) ~ with (mid), to supply (sth. or sb.) with (what is needed); equip, furnish, provide; (c) to allot (a destiny, adventures, suffering, damnation, etc.); ~ to, allot (sth.) to (sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel)1595 : For þe deore drihtin haueð idiht ow ba þe blisfule crune of his icorene.
- (1340) Ayenb.(Arun 57)147/25 : Þous hit hat zaynte peter þet þe guodnesse þet god ous heþ y-lend þet we hise diȝte to oure nixte.
- c1350 Heile sterne (Bod 425)2 : Heile! sterne on þe se so bright, To godes holi modir dight.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1364 : And tho be name Manes hihten, To whom ful gret honour thei dihten.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)13990 : Ful fair seruis symon him dight, Als was to suilk a lauerding right.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)14124 : Hu mikel mede þat vs es dight If we wil serue þat lauerd right.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)295 : & I shal stonde hym a strok..Ellez þou wyl diȝt me þe dom to dele hym an oþer barlay.
- a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196)7795 : Þe ioyes sere Þat God has ordaynd þare and dyght Tylle alle þat here lufes him ryght.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)3313 : Ye sothely..Shalbe worshipped worthely & your wille haue..All daintes to you dight, þat are dere holdyn.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)31/64 : Al-myhtty god..to þe myn hert is redy dyht.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)33/138 : Of þe best were my [Abel's] tythis, and of þe werst þou [Cain] dedyst hym dyght.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)358/98 : Say me..What is the very name that to youre persone dith is.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)60 : A iuge is seid for he ditiþ riȝt to þe peple.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)23 : Þe Synagoge of þe Sonne was sett to oure Lady; Jubiter and Jono to Jhesu oþer to James; So he hom dedifiet, and dyght alle to dere halowes, Þat ere wos sett of Sathanas in Saxones tyme.
- a1500 Tundale (Adv 19.3.1)840 : Ofton tymis from mony a wyght Guddus that han to hom be dyght Fro hym God hom hathe y-take.
b
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15104 : Ælc scip he dihte mid þreo hundred cniten [?read: cnihten].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)28820 : Þes [king] lette his hired dihte al wið ote [?read: ohte] cnihten.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mil.(Manly-Rickert)A.3205 : A chambre hadde he..Ful fetisly dight with herbes swoote.
- a1400 Cursor (Phys-E)24807 : Wit tresori his schip was diht, Of presand mani riche gift.
- ?a1400(a1338) *Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Petyt 511)[617] 5b : Do dight a schippe with saile & ore, right as þou a marchand wore.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.753 : Thyn assis donge is rathest forto dight A gardyn with.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)33 : The enemy..had..nyne hundred cartis dith with hokis of yrun.
- a1475 I knowlech to god (Rwl B.408)46 : To helpe þe pore I was not beste willed, With mete and drynke and cloþing þem dyght.
- a1475 Siege Troy(1) (Hrl 525)214/2039 : They dyght too hundred sheppis with ore.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)211 : Kychens for an hyȝe kinge in castells to holden, And her dortour y-diȝte with dores ful stronge.
c
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)315 : Now wot i neuer..what destene me is diȝt.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)2/32 : Damnacion to ham hit is y-dyȝt Þat vsyn þese, and avowtere.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)51.248 : Passing Ony Othyr knyht, -- sweche Aventures to hym ben dyht.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9558 : Myche dole is vs dight to day.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.68 : Sche [fortune] skorneþ eke..Þe wailynge þat hire-seluen haþ hem dight.
- a1475 As y gan wandre (Brog 2.1)75 : A dredefull payne ys for me dyȝt.
5.
To go; fall (to the ground); ben dight, be gone (away, forth, to bed); refl. betake oneself, go.
Associated quotations
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)857 : Out of þe rengge þai gun hem diȝt, Þe barouns þat were of miche miȝt.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)2553 : Do we þat we haue to done & diȝt we vs henne.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mk.(Manly-Rickert)B.3104 : And out at dore anon I moot me dighte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.822 : This wif hire hath to bedde dyht.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.5330 : The ferste nyht..whanne he was to bedde dyht..er he..wolde have take hire in his Arm.
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)10551 : Quen þis angel away was diht, Tua men þer cam were clad in quiht.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.153 : Helianore forth hir dight to Rouhan hir menage.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2555 : To bedde as fast thou wolt thee dight, Where thou shalt have but smal delit.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)6710 : Many man to grounde ther dist [rime: myst].
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)38.284 : A ris vp Nasciens..And faste towardis the see the dyht.
- a1450-1509 Rich.(Brunner)2608 : Kyng Richard aftyr anon ryȝt, Toward Acres gan hym dyȝt.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)426 : Waspasya[n]..& his wyes alle, Weren diȝt forþ by day & drowen to þe vale.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7138 : Þe first nyght..Þai rest in Iarow..þe thrid in tughall þai þaim dyght.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)610 : Tille he was to bed I-dighte.
6.
To do (sth.); perform (an action), administer (a sacrament), commit (treason), deliver (a blow), fight (a battle), practice (magic), sing and dance (a carol).
Associated quotations
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15513 : Fulle þreo nihten heore craftes heo dihten.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)27483 : Þat wes þat þridde mæste uiht þe auere wes here idiht.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)1561 : Þo þei foure weren ifere, Þo miȝte men seen & here Harde strokes dele & diȝte.
- c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376)12/317 : Ac ȝet þer beþ cristnynges mo, Ac no man ne may diȝtti [?read: diȝtte hi].
- c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn)275/28 : He..wente to seche þat luþur wiht þat hedde for hym þat tresun diht.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)9016 : Hyt was vpp-on a crystemesse nyȝt Þat twelue folys a karolle dyȝt.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)prol.133 : Lucyna, of colour pale and wan, Hir..arysyng in Octobre gan to dyȝt.
- a1500 Play Sacr.(Dub 652)412 : Malcus, wher art thow so long, To helpe thys dede were dyght?
7.
(a) To deal with (sb.), treat (sb. in a certain way); wel (ivele) idight, well (badly) treated; ~ with, deal with (sb.); ~ with whippes, treat (sb.) with whips, whip (sb.); (b) to have sexual intercourse with (a woman).
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)13918 : Heo is ihate Fræa; wel heo heom dihteð.
- a1275 Louerd asse þu ard (Trin-C B.14.39)119 : Hic þenche..of iacob & esau, so faire herre fader hem diste.
- a1275 On hire is al (Trin-C B.14.39)33 : Ho us hauet ful vel idiit [vr. ydyyt].
- a1300 I-hereþ nv one (Jes-O 29)110 : Iudas þo onswerede and spek myd vre dryhte, 'Mayster, am ich þilke þat þe wile so dyhte.'
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)24846 : Þar weren Rom-cnihtes vuele idihte.
- c1330 Otuel (Auch)369 : Loke that he be wel idiȝt, & onoured als a kniȝt.
- c1330 Þe siker soþe (Auch)16 : Deþ þat derieþ ous swa & diolely ous diȝtes.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)742 : What mercy mayst þou aske þurghe ryȝt whan þou þus my sone hast dyghte?
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)7358 : Þe find..laithli sal his [Saul's] licam dight.
- a1425 Wycl.VOct.(Bod 788)387 : Whomever he [the pope] canonisiþ, assoiliþ, or dampneþ, he is þus diȝt of God.
- a1475 In place (Hrl 3954)126 : Al þus with iewys I am dyth, I seme a wyrm to manus syth.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)4535 : His men were yuel [vr. ille] dight, Wery & wounded al in fight.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)3205 : Alexander..hadd herd, How he [Darius] was diȝt of his douth, & to þe dede woundid.
- a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252)1909 : Mordreit, haue ye that treitour slayne, Or how haue ye with hym dight?
- a1500(a1400) Cleges (Adv 19.1.11)540 : Tyll God in hevyn hade vesyte me, Thus pouerte haue me dyȝt.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.58 : Two stronge ȝonge men..Dight Helyodore with thaire whippes til he als dede thare laye.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.312 : Ne telleth neuere no man in youre lyf How that another man hath dight his wyf.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.398 : Al my walkyng out by nyghte Was for to espye wenches that he dighte.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.WB.(Manly-Rickert)D.767 : And lete hir lechour dighte hire al the nyght.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)2.27 : In hus dronknesse a day hus douhtres he [Lot] dighte.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)920 : Þou tellez me of Jerusalem…Þer David dere watz dyȝt on trone.
Note: New gloss
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Adv.23.7.11 Artist.Recipes (Adv 23.7.11) 297/1 : Forto dye al maner sylke, so shull ye deten or þat ye dye any sylke: þe sylke moste fyrste be wasshe in sope.
- a1500 Pmb-O.21 Artist.Recipes (Pmb-O 21) 271/22 : If þu wylt lerne a cloþe to steyne. Dytt þi cloþe on this maner: tak a panful of clene water, [etc.].
Note: Additional quots., prob. sense 1a.(a). New spellings (deten & ditt).