† dition Obs.
(ˈdɪʃən)
Also 6 dicion.
[a. OF. dicion (dition), ad. L. diciōn-em (in later transcription ditiōn-em) command, rule, sway, authority; perh. from root dic- of dīcĕre to declare, tell, say, etc. Cf. condition.]
1. Rule, sway, jurisdiction, command.
| 1538 Leland Itin. I. 70 Northalvertonshir is holely of the Dition of the Bishop of Duresme. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts Luke ii. 1 Under the Roman dition and jurisdiction. 1654 Vilvain Epit. Ess. v. vi, Cambry twelv Shires contains under one dition. |
2. The country or region under any particular rule; a dominion, empire.
| 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 256 a, A dicion or royalme descended and come to his possession. 1545 Joye Exp. Dan. iv. H iv b, Caste oute of theyr dicions empyres and realmes. 1685 H. More Paralip. Prophet. 64 Herodes Palaestinus..was banished beyond the Alpes, and part of his Dition laid to the Publick. |
¶ 3. Used by T. Adams app. in sense ‘enrichment, resources’: perh. by confusion with ditation, and with play on addition, condition.
| 1615 T. Adams Black Devill 25 A mutinous rebell viresque acquirit eundo: he still enlargeth his own Dition. 1633 ― Exp. 2 Peter i. 11 Rich men scorn to be beggars, their dition admits no such condition. |