cheapen, v.
(ˈtʃiːp(ə)n)
[f. cheap a. + -en, or modification of cheap v., by the suffix -en.]
1. trans. To bargain for, ask the price of, bid for, offer a price for; = cheap v. 3. Also fig. arch. or dial.
| 1574 Hellowes tr. Gueuara's Ep. (1577) 129 A Colte..the which he cheapened, bought, and brake. 1608 Shakes. Per. iv. vi. 10 She would make a puritan of the devil, if he should cheapen a kiss of her. 1727 Swift City Shower Wks. 1755 III. ii. 39 To shops in crowds the daggled females fly, Pretend to cheapen goods, but nothing buy. 1766 Wilkes Corr. (1805) III. 173, I cheapened a pig..and was asked only eighteen sols. 1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles v. 48 As though he was cheapening pippins at an apple-stall. |
b. absol. To bargain, chaffer.
| 1620 Quarles Pental. (1717) 66 A great Exchange of ware, Wherein all sorts, and sexes, cheapning are. 1883 Standard 31 Aug. 2/3 To sell and to cheapen in the Market Square. |
† 2. trans. (?) To chaffer, haggle about terms with (a person), or about (a bargain). Obs.
| 1654 Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 541 His Enemies..without any cheapening, charg'd him so roundly, that, etc. 1677 ― Art of War 30 In..Field Engagements..where we intend not to cheapen an Enemy, but to fall on merrily. a 1679 ― Guzman ii, I wish, whilst you are cheapening the Bargain, that they do not clap it up. |
3. trans. To make cheap, lower the price of.
| 1833 H. Martineau Fr. Wines & Pol. viii. 125 This..lessens the cost of production, and..would cheapen our corn. 1848 Mill Pol. Econ. I. 113 Cheapening production. 1885 J. Payn Talk of Town II. 240 His melancholy, perhaps, might have been put on with a view of cheapening the terms..with his employers. |
b. fig. To lower in estimation, cause to be thought little of, bring into contempt, vilify.
| 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 426 Meannesse of Birth, or slender Havings, cheapen the richest Abilities. 1668 Dryden Tyr. Love iii. i, I find my proferd love has cheapend me. 1742 Young Nt. Th. iv. 65 Who cheapens life, abates the Fear of Death. 1879 Ouida C. Castlemaine 2 She was too proud to cheapen herself with coquetry. |
4. intr. To become cheap (lit. and fig.).
| 1805 Ann. Rev. III. 308 Corn cheapens in the Baltic when it becomes dear in the Mediterranean. 1886 Advance (Chicago) 28 Jan. 49 The calm and quiet delights of home circles never cheapen. |
Hence ˈcheapening vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 110 Cheepenyng of a face of furre. 1656 W. Dugard Gate Lat. Unl. §798. 249 Contented with the moderate gain of the cheapening parties. 1773 Brydone Sicily (L.) It is only after a long series of cheapenings that a purchase can be effected. 1863 Fawcett Pol. Econ. i. viii. (1876) 86 Labourers are benefited..by the cheapening of any article of ordinary consumption. |