† ˈtheedom, thedom Obs.
Also 4 þeodam, 5 thedam, -dame, þeedom.
[f. stem of thee v.1 + -dom.]
Thriving; prosperity.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. x. 105 Þruft or þeodam with hem selden is I-seye. 1393 Ibid. C. viii. 53 And ȝede a-bowte in my ȝouthe and ȝaf me to no þedom. c 1430 How the Good Wife, etc. 209 (Babees Bk. 47) Now þrift and þeedom mote þou haue. 1522 World & Child in Hazl. Dodsley I. 261 My thedom is near past. |
b. evil theedom, ill success, bad luck: used as a maledictory phrase.
| c 1386 Chaucer Shipman's T. 405 What! yuel thedam [v.r. thedom] on his Monkes snowte. c 1450 Cov. Myst. xiv. (Shaks. Soc.) 139 Evyl Thedom com to thi snowte! |