† lithen.1
Obsolete.
A calm, lull; figurative respite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > (a) respite
spalea1250
lithec1300
respitec1330
sabbath1398
vacationc1425
respetta1450
respectc1450
repose?1549
intermission1576
bait1580
sob1593
respiration1611
vacation1614
suspension1645
relaxation1728
relax1733
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > consolation or relief
lightingOE
leathc1175
comfort?c1225
solacec1290
solacec1290
lithec1300
comfortingc1320
allegeancec1325
swaging1340
froa1350
releasec1350
consolationc1374
legeancec1390
reliefa1393
comfortationa1400
leathinga1400
swagea1400
allegementa1425
alleviation?a1425
recreation?a1425
refrigery?a1425
lighteningc1425
recomfortc1425
mitigation?1435
recomforting1487
recreancea1500
allevation1502
easement1533
solacy1534
ease1542
cheer1549
assuagement1561
refreshing1561
easing1580
recomfortation1585
recomforture1595
assuage1596
allevement1599
mitification1607
allayment1609
solagement1609
levation1656
solacement1721
solation1757
soulagement1777
consolement1797
de-tension1949
de-tensioning1952
tea and sympathy1953
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [noun] > short spell of > in a storm
lithec1300
lucid interval1656
lull1815
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 147 Ne he ne mouchte no lyþe gete.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 310/1 Lyye, or lythe, and calme wedyr, malacia.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [adjective] > of actions or language
mildOE
lithefullc1275
mildlyc1275
faira1300
unmalicious1605
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 633 He þonkede hire ȝeorne mid liðfulle worden.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
lithen.2
Obsolete exc. dialect.
(See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > oatmeal
oatmeal1381
havermealc1440
lithe1688
round meal1792
Quaker Oats1889
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 83/1 Lyth, or Lything, is Oatmeal or bruised Groats that thickens Broth.
1899 Cumbld. Gloss. Lythe, oatmeal and water mixed smooth and added to broth to thicken it.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
lithen.3
/lʌɪð/, U.S. /laɪð/, Scottish English /laɪθ/ Scottish.
Warm shelter.
ΚΠ
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess 54 She frae onie bield was far awa', Except stane sides, an' they had little lythe.
1868 G. MacDonald Robert Falconer II. 195 Come into the lythe o' the bank here.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
litheadj.
/lʌɪð/, U.S. /laɪð/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > meekness or mildness > [adjective]
stillc825
tamec888
mildeOE
lithea1000
daftc1000
meekc1325
lambishc1374
meeklyc1375
benign1377
temperatec1380
quieta1382
gall-lessa1398
mansuetea1425
meeta1425
unwrathful1542
rageless1578
lamb-like?1592
mildya1603
milky1602
pigeon-livered1604
placid1614
spleenless?1615
passive1616
unprovokable1646
milken1648
uncaptious1661
stomachless1727
unindignant1789
pianoa1817
ireless1829
unquarrelsome1830
quiet-goinga1835
uncholeric1834
unoffendable1839
baby-milda1845
quiet-tempered1846
turtlish1855
pathic1857
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > [adjective]
stillc825
tamec888
nesheOE
mildeOE
softOE
lithea1000
daftc1000
methefulOE
sefteOE
meekc1175
benign1377
pleasablea1382
mytha1400
tendera1400
unfelona1400
mansuetea1425
meeta1425
gentlec1450
moy1487
placablea1522
facile1539
effeminate1594
silver1596
mildya1603
unmalicious1605
uncruel1611
maliceless1614
tender-hefteda1616
unpersecutive1664
baby-milda1845
rose water1855
turtlish1855
unvindictive1857
soft-boiled1859
tenderful1901
soft-lining1967
OE Beowulf 3182 Manna mildust..leodum liðost.
a1000 Apollonius of Tyre (1834) 2/25 Ða cliopode heo hi hire to mid liðere spræce.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) v. 5 Eadige synt þa liðan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 7754 Forr lamb iss soffte & stille deor. & liþe & mec & milde.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 315 Swich ach wummone lare to beon. luuelich & liðe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2455 Þu eært me swiðe iliðe [c1300 Otho liþe]. & ich þe leouie swiðe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2 He wes Leouenaðes sone liðe [c1300 Otho lef] him beo Drihten.
a1325 Prose Psalter cxliv. [cxlv.] 9 Our Lord is liþe to alle.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9706 The first of þo fre, þat to þe freike said, Was Vlyxes, the lord, with his lythe wordes.
2. † b. Of weather: Calm, serene. [Compare Old English Líða, June and July.] Of water: Smooth, still. Obsolete.
a. Of things, chiefly material things: Mild, soft; also, agreeable, mellow, pleasant. Of a medicine: Gentle in operation. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > [adjective]
lithec888
merroweOE
neshOE
tender?c1225
softa1250
unharda1300
supplec1325
melchc1350
unsad1398
slobbery?a1425
lushc1440
mulch?1440
gentle1555
mellow1577
softly1589
tenerous1598
siddow1601
maumy1728
frush1848
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > [adjective] > pleasing to the senses
lithec888
fairOE
softOE
lickerousc1275
deliciousa1325
kindlya1382
favourablea1398
kinda1398
sugared1426
feelsomea1450
agreeablec1450
comfortablec1460
favourousc1485
grateful1553
sugar candy1575
lickerish1595
savouring1595
maumy1728
tasty1796
lekker1900
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [adjective] > relating to powers or effects of drugs > mild
lithec1400
gentle1534
benign1638
mild1652
unirritant1822
bland1835
soft1959
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xl. §3 Hwæðer him cume þe reðu w[y]rd þe liðu.
OE Genesis 211 Fægere leohte þæt liðe land lago yrnende.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 129 Ðet weter of egipte wes liðe and swete.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 707 Water þai asked swiþe... Wit mete and drink liþe.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame i. 118 To make lythe of that was harde.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 87 If þe quytture be þicke & towȝ, þanne is þe medicyn to liþe.
c1400 Rom. Rose 3762 The savour soft and lythe Strook to myn herte withoute more.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 172 How lythe and cheerfull would the soule be in going to Zoar out of Sodome.
1664 H. Spelman Glossarium (at cited word) Ledo, lenis (nobis hodie, Lithe).
1844 W. Thom Rhymes & Recoll. 72 They miss the lythe licht o' their May.
1878 R. W. Thom Jock o' Knowe 56 (E.D.D.) Lithe Time stole away.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [adjective] > calm (of weather, climate, or the elements)
smoltc950
lithec1275
still1390
smoothc1402
peaceablec1425
calmc1440
serenousc1440
lownc1485
stormlessc1500
serene1508
calm-winded1577
unwindy1580
calmy1587
sleek1603
halcedonian1611
pacific1633
settled1717
unstormy1823
untempested1846
placable1858
untempestuous1864
unrestless1919
the world > matter > liquid > water > [adjective] > properties or characteristics of water > still, calm, smooth, or without current
stillOE
deada1000
lithec1275
smoothc1374
unruffled1710
unrippled1775
streamless1863
streamline1907
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12075 Þa..þat gras was riue and þat water wes liðe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3611 Þat weder wes swiðe liðe.
a1300 E.E. Psalter cvi. 29 His stremes leften lithe.
a1400 Coer de L. 4859 The wynd gan wexe lythe.
a1440 Sir Eglam. 1056 To the see they went fulle yare And passyd the watur lythe.
c1450 (c1400) Emaré (1908) 348 The wedur was lythe of le.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 297/1 in Chron. I It proued so lythe a day, without appearance of any tempest to ensue.
c. Comfortable, genial, sheltered, warm. Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adjective] > snug or comfortable (of places)
lithe1488
lowna1522
bein1533
close1571
snod1695
snugging1701
snugc1718
tosie1720
canny1737
cosy1786
fiel1792
snuggish1818
familyish1824
nest-like1864
hygge1963
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 276 Syn in a bed thai brocht him fair and lyth.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 417 Sche toke vp hur sone to hur And lapped hyt full lythe.
a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 139 Like thee they scoug frae street or field, An' hap them in a lyther bield.
1867 G. W. Donald Poems 218 Licht an' lythe wes Peggie's bosom.
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xi. 82 They're fine lythe parks, an' ear tee; beasts mith live o' them throu the winter naar.
1884 D. Grant Lays & Legends of North 274 Winter drives them o'er the sea To seek the lyther land.
3. Easily bent; flexible, limber, pliant, supple. (The current sense, the only one in Johnson.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > [adjective]
tougha700
lithyc1000
softc1330
weak?a1366
plianta1382
persha1398
plyinga1398
lithec1400
supplec1400
plicable?a1425
curvable?1440
lethec1440
scretec1440
pliablec1475
bowable1483
bowing1483
waldinc1485
supple1513
flexible1548
limber1565
lither1565
bending1567
osier1577
wiry1588
buxom1590
withy1598
suppliable1599
renderingc1600
fluxible1607
winding1609
bendable1611
flippant1622
flexive1629
flexile1633
maniable1633
compliant1667
flectible1705
limp1706
yieldy1757
complying1774
limberly1782
willowy1791
switchy1810
wandy1825
twistable1853
bendsome1861
whippy1867
swack1868
bendy1873
c1400 St. Alexius (Laud 622) 6 Of bodies stronge & liȝth.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 74 His dewelap as lythe, as lasse of Kent.
1599 Withals' Dict. 109 b The bills of birds we see full oft, Whiles they bee yong are lith and soft.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 347 Th' unwieldy Elephant..wreathd His Lithe Proboscis. View more context for this quotation
1667 R. Norwood in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 2 567 To the Harping-Iron is made fast a strong lythe rope.
1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xxvi. 85 Like the leaf, That bows its lithe top till the blast is blown.
1833 Ld. Tennyson Poems 36 As lithe eels over meadows gray Oft shift their glimmering pool by night.
1853 W. C. Bryant Poems (new ed.) 65 The perjurer, Whose tongue was lithe, e'en now, and voluble Against his neighbour's life.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxi. 106 He more lithe than a vine amid Trees.
4. Of broth, soup, etc.: Smooth, thick. dialect.
ΚΠ
a1665 K. Digby Closet Opened (1669) 259 Stir it up quick with your hands, like a lith pudding.
1805 J. Stagg Misc. Poems (ed. 2) 146 Bit swoaps o' drink an guod lythe keale.
Compounds
In combinations.
ΚΠ
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xv. 839 Or swans lithe-necked grazing the river's verge.
1897 Daily News 26 May 9 There are sixteen of them..tall, lithe-looking sun-burnt figures.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† lithev.1
Obsolete.
intransitive. To go, pass; in Old English esp. to go by sea, to sail.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]
nimeOE
becomec885
teec888
goeOE
i-goc900
lithec900
wendeOE
i-farec950
yongc950
to wend one's streetOE
fare971
i-wende971
shakeOE
winda1000
meteOE
wendOE
strikec1175
seekc1200
wevec1200
drawa1225
stira1225
glidea1275
kenc1275
movec1275
teemc1275
tightc1275
till1297
chevec1300
strake13..
travelc1300
choosec1320
to choose one's gatea1325
journeyc1330
reachc1330
repairc1330
wisec1330
cairc1340
covera1375
dressa1375
passa1375
tenda1375
puta1382
proceedc1392
doa1400
fanda1400
haunta1400
snya1400
take?a1400
thrilla1400
trace?a1400
trinea1400
fangc1400
to make (also have) resortc1425
to make one's repair (to)c1425
resort1429
ayrec1440
havea1450
speer?c1450
rokec1475
wina1500
hent1508
persevere?1521
pursuec1540
rechec1540
yede1563
bing1567
march1568
to go one's ways1581
groyl1582
yode1587
sally1590
track1590
way1596
frame1609
trickle1629
recur1654
wag1684
fadge1694
haul1802
hike1809
to get around1849
riddle1856
bat1867
biff1923
truck1925
the world > movement > progressive motion > move along [verb (intransitive)]
goeOE
lithec900
nimOE
fare971
shakeOE
strikea1000
gangOE
gengOE
seekc1000
glidea1275
wevec1300
hove1390
drevea1400
sway?a1400
wainc1540
discoursea1547
yede1563
trot1612
to get along1683
locomove1792
locomote1831
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (intransitive)]
sailc893
lithec900
fleetc1275
ship13..
assailc1450
waft?a1562
sneir1568
sulk1579
single1587
navigate1588
waff1611
passage1791
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) iii. xiv. [xix.] 218 Þa forlet he þa mægðe & ofer sæ lað in Gallia rice.
OE Beowulf 221 Ða liðende land gesawon.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 8434 Inn till whillc ende off all þatt land He badd himm þanne liþenn.
c1205–75 Laȝamon Brut. [passim: see Glossary ].
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [adjective] > making progress
lithingc1275
nosing1864
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 474 Alle þa liðinde scipen þe on his londe beoð.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† lithev.2
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To render ‘lithe’, i.e. gentle or mild; to influence (a person) gently; to relax (fetters); to assuage, mitigate (grief, pain); to relieve, soothe; to render (a limb) supple; to bend, subdue (persons, their passions).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > mitigate or alleviate
lithec897
lighteOE
lissea1000
stillc1000
alightOE
alithe?a1200
softc1225
swagec1330
abate?c1335
easea1374
accoya1375
allegea1375
stintc1374
slakea1387
assuage1393
planea1400
slecka1400
plasterc1400
soften?c1415
lighten?a1425
mitigate?a1425
relievec1425
asoftc1430
alleviate?a1475
allevya1500
sletcha1500
alleve1544
allevate1570
salve?1577
sweetena1586
smooth1589
disembitter1622
deleniate1623
slaken1629
tranquillitate1657
soothe1711
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > loosening or unfastening > loosen, unfasten, or untie [verb (transitive)] > unbind or unclasp
lithec897
unclasp1603
the world > life > the body > loose or stiff condition > [verb (transitive)]
leesea1325
lithe1362
unloosec1390
relax?a1425
supple1526
supply1534
nimble1581
relaxate1598
lax1661
limber1748
unstiffen1855
untense1970
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > assuage or calm
laya1300
disarm?c1400
lithec1430
mitigatea1513
charmc1540
hush1632
assopiatea1649
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)]
pindeOE
steerc950
hold971
forbidc1000
withstewc1175
withholdc1200
stewa1225
crempa1250
bistintc1300
i-stillc1315
withdraw1340
entemperc1380
rebukec1380
forfenda1382
refraina1382
refrainc1390
restraina1393
restayc1400
retainc1415
to hold abackc1440
overholda1450
reclaim?c1450
revokec1450
bedwynge1480
sniba1500
repressa1525
rein1531
inhibit1535
to keep back1535
cohibit1544
reprimec1550
lithe1552
to rein up1574
check1581
embridle1583
to rein in1593
retrench1594
refrenate1599
to hold back1600
snip1601
becheck1605
sneap1611
trasha1616
supersede1645
reprimand1689
snape1691
to clap a guy on1814
to pull up1861
to pull in1893
withstrain1904
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xvii. 124 Ðis is ðearf ðæt se se þe wunde lacnian wille geote win on..& eft ele, ðæt se hie liðe & hæle.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 95 Shereðures~daies absolucion liðe þe sinne bendes.
13.. K. Alis. 2797 The saut com so thikke and swithe, That no weryng ne myghte heom lithe.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 183 Lome mennes limes weore lyþet þat tyme.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 726 (754) He þat wont here wo was for to lyþe, She mot for-gon.
a1400–50 Alexander 3754 To lithe vs all if þou limpes na louyng þou gettis.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 7721 Hir angre she gan ther to lithe.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. ii. xii. f. 117 Ye haly spreit..be his grace lythis & turnis our hart to God.
1614 T. Adams Diuells Banket vi. 291 England..hath now suppled, lythed, and stretched their throates.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 313 Giue me also faith, Lord,..to lythe, to forme, and to accommodate my spirit and members.
2. To render ‘lithe’ or thick; to thicken (broth, etc.). Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > general preparation processes > perform general preparation processes [verb (transitive)] > thicken
lye?c1390
lirec1560
lithe1674
1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 30 Lithe the pot, i.e. put Oatmeal into it.
1711 W. Storr Bk. Rem. in Yorks. Archæol. Jrnl. 7 58 Lithe it with bean meal as hot as can be bidden.
1808 R. Bald Gen. View Coal Trade Scotl. i. 13 The coalmasters frequently inquired if the sinkers were lything the water, that is, making it of a thick and muddy colour by their operations.
1867 B. Brierley Marlocks of Merriton iii. 69 The old woman was engaged in ‘lithing’ the broth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
lithev.3
/lʌɪð/, U.S. /laɪð/ Obsolete exc. archaic and dialect.
intransitive. To hearken, listen. Const. dative, or to, unto (at, till). Also, to hear of (a thing). Occasionally quasi-transitive with object a thing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > hear [verb (intransitive)] > listen
listenc950
hearkena1000
listc1000
lithea1225
yliþea1300
intendc1380
hear1382
to have or give a lista1400
to give audience (to)c1405
a1225 Juliana 73 Lvsteð me leoue men & liðeð ane hwile.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1400 Liþes nou alle to me, Louerdinges.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2077 Quað ðis bred-wrigte, ‘liðeð nu me’.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 67 How þe gamen ȝede lithe I salle ȝow seie.
c1330 Amis & Amil. 429 Hir name was cleped Belisaunt, As ye may lithe at me.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xi. 65 To lithen here laies and here loueliche notes.
a1400–50 Alexander 5023 Þan list him lithe of his lyfe & of his last ende.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 1810 Theis newe made knyghttez Lythes vn-to the crye.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1719 Thenne watȝ hit list vpon lif to lyþen þe houndeȝ.
c1400 Tale of Gamelyn 1 Litheth and lesteneth and herkeneth aright.
?c1450 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. ix. 228 Lythe and I shall tell them the.
?a1500 Ballad, Adam Bell, etc. i. 17 Now lithe and listen, gentlemen That of mirth loueth to heare!
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. dv Lufly ledis in land lythis me til.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 133 Now lythis off ane gentill knycht, Schir Thomas Norny.
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 132 Thou mun not take petition (lithen me) Nor entertaine him, till thou take thy fee.
1683 G. Meriton York-shire Dialogue in Pure Nat. Dial. 4 Lythe yee, Lythe yee! How fondley you tawke.
1807 J. Stagg Misc. Poems (new ed.) 20 Monny a sleepless night she past,..As she lythe'd the lengthnin' blast.
1840 R. H. Barham Witches' Frolic in Ingoldsby Legends 1st Ser. 162 One tale I remember of mickle dread—Now lithe and listen, my little boy Ned.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c1275
n.21688n.31768
adj.c888v.1c900
v.2c897v.3a1225