Dictionary

douth en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• douth
• /daʊθ/

Etymology

From Middle English douthe, douth, duweðe (“body of retainers, people, might, dignity, worth”), from Old English duguþ (“manhood, host, multitude, troops”), from Proto-West Germanic *dugunþu, *dugunþi, from Proto-Germanic *dugunþō (“power, competency, notefulness, virtue”), from *duganą (“to be useful”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewgʰ- (“to be ready, be sufficient”). Cognate with North Frisian døgd, døged (“ability, good deed”), Dutch deugd (“virtue”), German Tugend (“virtue”), Swedish dygd (“virtue”), Danish dyd (“virtue”), Icelandic dygð, dyggð (“virtue”). Related to dow, doughty.

Meanings

1. (dialectal) Snug; comfortable; in easy circumstances.

Forms

douth en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• douth
• /daʊθ/

Etymology

From Middle English douthe, douth, duweðe (“body of retainers, people, might, dignity, worth”), from Old English duguþ (“manhood, host, multitude, troops”), from Proto-West Germanic *dugunþu, *dugunþi, from Proto-Germanic *dugunþō (“power, competency, notefulness, virtue”), from *duganą (“to be useful”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewgʰ- (“to be ready, be sufficient”). Cognate with North Frisian døgd, døged (“ability, good deed”), Dutch deugd (“virtue”), German Tugend (“virtue”), Swedish dygd (“virtue”), Danish dyd (“virtue”), Icelandic dygð, dyggð (“virtue”). Related to dow, doughty.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, uncountable, usually) Virtue; excellence; atheldom; nobility; power; riches.
2. (obsolete, uncountable, usually) A group of people, especially an army or retinue.
3. (dialectal, uncountable, usually) Reliability; ease; security; shelter.
   • There's no^([sic]) much douth in a wire fence.

Forms

douth en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• douth
• /daʊθ/

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of dought.
   alt of dought

Forms