Dictionary

noddify en · VERB

Etymology

From noddy + -fy. First attested in 1583 (see quotations).

Meanings

1. (obsolete, transitive) To make (someone) into a noddy (“silly or stupid person”); to make a fool of, to make a monkey out of.
   • If I bee zealous in affection, and iealous of her faithe, I ſmoulder away inwardly, without any remedy: If ſhe make me weare hoꝛnes and I not perceiue it, I am noddified of her, and pointed at of others: and so, they crowne a cuckold with a combe, and this is their deſire. 1583, Brian Melbancke, Philotimus. The Warre betwixt Nature and Fortune, London: […] Roger Warde, page 32:
   • […] and howſoever the weaker brethren muſt be entertained with fair words, and noddified with notional diſputes anent their parity with the beſt, that they may think themſelves ſomewhat: […] 1668, Andrew Honyman, “The Preface”, in A Survey of the Inſolent and Infamous Libel, Entituled, Naphtali, &c., Edinburgh, page 8:
   • […] ſo as M. Collins who hath deifyed him, calling him the diuine man, might rather haue noddified him, and himſelf for company, when he meant to noddify me. 1621, Thomas Fitzherbert, chapter VI, in The Obmvtesce of F. T. to the Epphata of D. Collins, page 145:
   • And now laboureth to noddify all into a conſent & congratulatory acquieſcence in his advancement and dignity. 1669, James Stewart, “Some Animadverſions upon the Surveyer's Virulent preface and Title-page” (chapter XXI), in Jus populi vindicatum, London, page 446:

Forms

Synonyms

noddy