† envirtuev.
Obsolete.
1. reflexive. To exert one's strength; to strive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself [verb (reflexive)]
afforcec1300
enforcec1386
virtuea1393
endeavourc1400
naitc1400
envirtue1477
exploit1490
to put it forthc1500
constrainc1510
efforce1512
lay1535
evirtuate1642
to exert oneself1736
hump1835
spread1843
to put about1983
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 40 He enuertued hym selfe defending.
1480 W. Caxton tr. Ovid Metamorphoses x. viii Ypomenes envirtued & enforced hym So moche in th' end that he passed her.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 200 The kyng of Anssay..envertued hym self strong, and made with his handes grete vasselage.
2. transitive. To endue with virtue.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > [verb (transitive)]
invirtuate1641
envirtue1692
virtuefy1768
virtuize1828
1692 O. Walker Greek & Rom. Hist. 67 A little cake..which they put into the Serpents mouth, to sanctifie and envirtue it for the recovery of the sick.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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