dizen, v.
(ˈdaɪz(ə)n, ˈdɪz(ə)n)
Also 6 disyn, dysyn, 7 disen, 9 dizzen.
[Found only from 1530: but evidently the verb belonging to dis-, dise-, in distaff, and LG. diesse the bunch of flax on a distaff. It is remarkable that neither the vb., nor the n. as a separate word, has been found in OE. or ME., and that on the other hand no vb. corresponding to dizen is known in LG. or Du.]
† 1. trans. To dress or attire (a distaff) with flax, etc. for spinning. Obs.
| 1530 Palsgr. 519/2, I dysyn a dystaffe, I put the flaxe upon it to spynne..And I had disyned my distaffe, I durste drinke with the best of you. 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 47 The spindel and rok, that waz dizend with purpl sylk. |
2. To dress (with clothes), esp. to attire or array with finery, to deck out (up), bedizen. (In later use mostly contemptuous.)
| 1619 Fletcher M. Thomas iv. vi, Come quickly, quickly, paint me handsomely..Com Doll, Doll, disen me. 1621 ― Pilgrim iv. iii, I put my clothes off, and I dizen'd him. 1706 E. Ward Hud. Rediv. ii. v, Lasses..Sate dizen'd up. 1729 Swift Grand Question Wks. 1755 IV. i. 106, I had dizen'd you out like a queen. 1730–6 Bailey (folio), Dizen, to dress, to deck or trim, commonly us'd by way of raillery. 1774 Goldsm. Retal. 67 Comedy wonders at being so fine: Like a tragedy-queen he has dizen'd her out. 1870 Emerson Soc. & Solit., Work & Days Wks. (Bohn) III. 72 'Tis the vulgar great who come dizened with gold and jewels. [In most northern dial. glossaries, usually dizzen with i short.] |
b. transf. and fig. To deck out, adorn.
| 1806–7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) xx. 252 Here the Muse dizens My dirge with orisons. 1870 Emerson Soc. & Solit., Clubs Wks. (Bohn) III. 94 The fact they had thus dizened and adorned was of no value. 1889 Browning Reverie 105 Herb and tree Which dizen thy [Earth's] mother-breast. |
Hence ˈdizened ppl. a.; ˈdizenment, condition of being dizened, bedizenment.
| 1775 S. J. Pratt Lib. Opinions (1783) IV. 170 You fine dizen'd-out hussey. 1821 J. Baillie Metr. Leg., Colum. xxvii. 10 Standing in dizen'd rows. 1864 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xvi. i. VI. 137 Foul creatures in high dizenment. Ibid. Indeed there was in that man what far transcends all dizenment. |