dighten

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old English dihtan, dihtian (to set in order; dispose; arrange; appoint; direct; compose), from Proto-Germanic *dihtōną (to compose; invent), of disputed origin.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdixtən/

Verb

dighten

  1. To prepare or ready:
    1. (transitive) To ornament, adorn.
    2. (transitive) To furnish, equip.
      • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter XV, in Le Morte Darthur, book II:
        And at the last he entryd in to a chambyr that was merueillously wel dyzte and rychely, and a bedde arayed with clothe of gold
        (please add an English translation of this quotation)
      • And whan balyn was wepenles he ranne in to a chamber for to seke somme wepen / and soo fro chamber to chamber / and no wepen he coude fynde / and alweyes kynge Pellam after hym / And at the last he entryd in to a chambyr that was merueillously wel dyȝte and rychely
  2. (transitive) To compose, make.
    • 14thc., Anonymous, The Chester Mystery Plays, Noah's Flood:
      Japhet's Wife: And I will gather chippes here / To make a fyer for you in feare, / And for to dighte your dinnere / Agayne you come in.
  3. (transitive) To have sexual intercourse with.
    • 1387-1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Manciple's Prologue:
      Ne telleth nevere no man in youre lyf
      How that another man hath dight his wyf;
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Conjugation

Descendants

  • English: dight
  • Scots: dicht
  • Yola: dieeght

References

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