† well-thewed, ppl. a. Obs.
[See thewed.]
Having a good character or disposition; well-conducted, well-mannered, virtuous.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 41 Þe wise manne and þat wel⁓þeaud child habbeð boðe on laȝe. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 1914 He wulde ðat he sulde hem ten ðat he wel-ðewed sulde ben. 1387 Trevisa Higden V. 89 Tweye ȝongelynges..wel i-þewed [moribus compositos]. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 51 It sit a prest to be wel thewed, And schame it is if he be lewed. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas iv. 1121 This Calistenes, in youthe riht weel thewed. 1483 Cath. Angl. 413/1 Wele thewyd, morigeratus. a 1529 Skelton Agst. Garnesche iv. 147 Malapert, medyllar, nothyng well thewde. 1642–7 H. More Song of Soul ii. i. i. xxiii, Well thewed minds the mind do alwayes setten free. |
b. transf. of speech, etc.
| c 1522 Skelton Why nat to Court? 328 Thy tonge is nat wel thewde. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Feb. 96 To nought more..my mind is bent, Then to heare nouells of his deuise: They bene so well thewed [E. K. Glosse, that is Bene moratæ, full of morall wisenesse]. 1594 Zepheria i. 2 Many their well thewd rimes doe fayre attemper Vnto their amours. 1624 Bp. R. Montagu Immed. Addr. 35 The Prayers of the Church, in our Common Liturgies,..are very well thewed and composed for the nonce, to fit the dispositions and affections of men. |