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worthyadj.n.adv. Origin: Apparently formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: wurthe adj.; worth n.1, -y suffix1. Etymology: Originally apparently < wurthe adj., with alteration of the ending (see -y suffix1). In later use also < worth n.1 + -y suffix1. Compare earlier worth adj., worthly adj.The word is rare in Old English. Compare also the following attestation as the second element in the compound gemyndwyrðig (compare Old English gemyndewyrþe worth mentioning, worth remembering; < i-mind n. + wurthe adj.); the passage is corrupt and the precise sense is unclear:OE Homily (Corpus Cambr. 41) in K. G. Schaefer Five Old Eng. Homilies (Ph.D. diss., Columbia Univ.) (1972) 50 Þær þis godspell bið inne ræd geond ealle [perhaps read eallne] middangeard, bið hire gemind [altered to gemindwurþig] hwæt heo dide on me [perhaps read min] gemind. Notes on forms. The β. forms show northern and Scots interchange between the voiced dental plosive and the voiced dental fricative; compare e.g. β. forms at smithy n. Middle English forms in final -e (rather than -y , -ie , etc.) are difficult to distinguish from those of worth adj. and wurthe adj. and have been assigned to those entries (compare forms and discussion there), with the exception of the form worthe in quot. c1450 at sense A. 1b, which occurs as a rhyme for fre, fee, and degre, and is therefore considered to show the present word. A. adj. I. That deserves something; of sufficient worth or merit; suitable, appropriate. 1. a. With various constructions. Deserving of something positive; of sufficient merit or excellence to deserve. Cf. worth adj. 8a. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > deserving (good or ill) > deserving by merit OE (Corpus Cambr. 41) 11 Gehæle me ælmihti gi [read ælmihtig] and sunu [and] frofre gast, ealles wuldres wyrdig [read wyrðig] dryhten. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 10350 Berns..oft er for þair dughtihede Selcuth worþi mikel of mede. ?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre (1894) II. lf. 245v Your labours shall neuer be dygne ne worthy of preysyng. 1534 W. Tyndale in To Rdr. sig. **iiv Ye se..of what auctoryte his wrytynge is, and how worthie of credence. 1556 tr. J. de Flores sig. C8 The whiche..maketh you of so great prayse worthye. 1565 T. Stapleton tr. Bede v. xx. f. 177v He was founde..best worthy of that bishopprick. 1605 W. Camden i. 186 No mortall man doubtlesse is woorthy of such an high name. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. iv. 74 He is as worthy for an Empresse loue, As meet to be an Emperors Councellor. 1650 in E. Nicholas (1886) I. 181 I thinke him worthy of much greater trust and favor. 1724 A. Ramsay (new ed.) I. 126 For now she's Mistress of my Heart, And wordy of my Hand. 1737 7 596/1 The only Service..worthy of Preferment in the Army. 1814 M. Leadbeater & E. Shackleton 223 I pray that the young couple may be worthy of your goodnesses. 1860 J. Tyndall i. xxvi. 192 I thought such services worthy of some recognition. 1904 7 May 7/2 The only soldier worthy of admiration is the citizen soldier, who fights in defence of the liberties, or the independence of his country. 1959 R. A. Heinlein in B. Davenport et al. 52 I think that science fiction, to be worthy of critical literary praise, should approximate the standards of these four novels. 1976 2 Oct. 10/1 In Avignon..a truly Lucullan dinner at Hiély-Lucullus..the food worthy of its two rosettes in Michelin. 2009 12 Mar. (Life section) 6/2 The protagonists in the Myerson imbroglio are much more worthy of sympathy than the Goodwins. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > deserving (good or ill) > of sufficient merit > to be, do, or have c1175 (Burchfield transcript) Ded. l. 249 He shall..Vss gifenn heffness blisse Ȝiff þatt we shulenn wurrþi ben To findenn godess are. a1300 (c1275) (1991) 128 Ne deme ðe noȝ[t] wurdi [emended in ed. to wurði] ðat tu dure loken Up to ðe heuene ward. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3753 He seiden he weren wurði bet To ðat seruise to ben set. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iv. l. 1335 As hire thoghte..Sche was noght worthi axen there, Fro when they come. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 1148 It es nogtht worþi for-giuen be. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 4056 Ioseph he sagh a night in sueuen, þe quilk es worþie for to neuen. a1450 (Vesp.) (1902) l. 228 Þat we may fle fro paines of hell And be worthi in blis to dwell. c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson (1842) 39 Ȝe mone haue maysturs euyrqware, As wele wurthi ȝe ar soe. 1510 R. Copland tr. ii. sig. Av I shall do smyte of his heed as nought worthy for to haue a kynges doughter. 1526 W. Bonde Pref. sig. Aiiv I requyre you all, in the moste worthy to be loued woundes & passion of christ. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1895) II. 11 He will, perchance, be fund worthie to be counted amang the maist wirthie vndir the sone in his tyme. 1642 D. Rogers 139 Not worthy to be named the same day..with God. 1651 T. Hobbes i. x. 46 He is Worthiest to be a Commander..that is best fitted with the qualities required to the well discharging of it. 1708 F. Atterbury 24 That we may be found worthy to be admitted into the Blessed Vision of him in the next [life]. 1782 W. Cowper Retirement in 293 All such as manly and great souls produce, Worthy to live, and of eternal use. a1807 W. Wordsworth (1959) iv. 114 Those walks, well worthy to be priz'd and lov'd. 1816 J. Wilson ii. iv. 53 One hand alone on all the earth was worthy To place these flowers. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato (ed. 2) III. 307 The only knowledge worthy to be called knowledge. 1901 A. Besant i. 26 They grow up country-loving, patriotic, proud of their land, and so worthy to be citizens of their country. 1982 4 Sept. 9/6 Dare one hope that..this 20p piece..will be replaced by one worthy to join the rest of our coinage? 1998 (U.K. ed.) Aug. 92/2 Find out whether your man is worthy to worship at your temple. 2014 1 Oct. (Sport section) 6/2 Teams deem him worthy to be man-marked. It shows you the influence of his game. a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1965) Wisd. ix. 12 I shal disposen þi puple riȝtwisly: & I shal ben worþi þe setis of my fader. a1400 (a1325) (Coll. Phys.) l. 19362 Þa wente ioifuler þan are,..þat tai for him war worthi grame. a1450 (?1400) in J. Kail (1904) 7 The trewe seruant is worthy hys mede. c1450 (1904) I. 90 Þan þe grete devull..sayde þat he was wurthi lovyng. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. lxxxiii. f. xxxiiv Departe from this Paleys, and resygne it and the Rule of thy lande to hym yt is more worthy this Rome than thou art. 1563 Matrimony 540 This man is worthye much commendation. 1648 T. Winyard 3 Good ingenious soules..are thought worthy heaven because they boast no merit. 1676 J. Dryden i. 14 Be worthy me, as I am worthy you. 1743 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace II. iv. ix. 30 Greece had with Heroes fill'd th' embattled Plain, Worthy the Muse in her sublimest Strain. 1785 II. xv. 275 They stood part of the Celestial Hierarchy, and thro' the excellency of their superior quality were worthy the immortal thrones they were seated on. 1813 J. C. Hobhouse xxxi. 509 Whatever was worthy imitation, was imitated by the Turks. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in 88 Him too you loved, for he was worthy love. 1889 A. C. Swinburne 83 Dame Polish is a figure well worthy the cordial and lavish commendation of Gifford. 1935 Apr. 15 The advocates of rational bodily betterment, have been called upon to face charges that our special work included frills and fads and was therefore not worthy the position which it holds. 2015 J. Justiss vi. 62 No lady worthy the name would ever meet a single gentleman at his abode, day or night. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > deserving (good or ill) > of sufficient merit c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1973) l. 160 (MED) He schuld hem help as he hem bouȝt And hem bring out of her care After þat þai worþi ware. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. vii. l. 78 (MED) Wite ȝe neuere who is worthi, ac god wote who hath nede. c1450 C. d'Orleans (1941) 8 (MED) Of gyft y dar not axe so gret a thing Of yow bicause y knowe me not worthe [rhyme fre, fee, degre]. 1529 J. Frith sig. Lv Is he not therfore a worthy successor of Peter. 1552 (STC 16280.5) Administr. Lordes Supper (Declar. on Kneeling) sig. O.iv The humble..acknowlegyng of the benifites of Christe, giuen vnto the worthy receiuor. 1660 Bp. J. Taylor 454 Thou abstainest from the B. Sacrament because..thou canst not think thy self worthy of it. Well, suppose that. But I pray who is worthy? is an Angel worthy enough? 1702 N. Rowe i. 5 Welcome! thou worthy Partner of my lawrels. 1788 E. Picken 86 A wordy frien' is e'en right rare, An' virtue ill to hit on. 1818 Ld. Byron clv. 80 Thou Shalt one day, if found worthy,..See thy God face to face. 1874 Apr. 342 Suppose I had known the poor man to be a most worthy recipient of alms. 1915 J. Turner Let. 19 Apr. in C. Warren (2019) 7 There isn’t one of them who is worthy to do much more than clean her boots. 1939 A. Toynbee IV. 595 Patriarch Germanus found a worthy successor in the reigning Patriarch Nicephorus. 1989 4 Nov. 73/1 To publish them as a joke would be cruel, and unfair to more worthy authors crowded out by lack of space. 1998 Sept. 14/2 The way O'Meara constructed his victory, his quiet application throughout the four days,..make him a worthy champion. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being satisfactory > [adjective] society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > deserving (good or ill) the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] 1340 (1866) 194 (MED) Offre to god worþi offringe þerhuyls þet þou leuest. c1400 (?a1300) (Laud) (1952) l. 793 (MED) Fele..seiden it was worþi þing He were þe nexte crouned kyng. c1425 (1923) 23 God, that is mervelous in his seyntes, he..with worthy preysyngis magnyfied. a1500 (?a1450) (Gloucester) (1971) 725 (MED) The Emperour..helped hym & promote hym to worthi dignyte. 1563 Sacram. i. 214 A right & a worthy estimation, and vnderstanding of this mistery. 1563 444 (heading) An Homely of the worthy receauing..of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ. 1594 in S. E. Brydges (1815) III. 298 You that..sought for matter in a forraine soyle, As worthie subjects of your silver pen. 1609 T. Dekker Phoenix 1 in What giftes can we bestow worthy enough vpon thee, that didst not spare thine owne and only deerest Sonnes blood, to saue vs? 1675 T. Comber (title) A companion to the altar. Or, an help to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper. 1698 W. Philips v. 39 If I may advise, take Longinus, A worthier choice, and which secures your Crown. 1736 T. Gray Let. 8 May in (1853) 3 Ye Argive flower..Receive a worthier load; yon puny ball Let youngsters toss. 1774 J. Strutt I. 31 John of Beverley..not having any thing worthy enough with him to present to the Saint, he left his knife on the tomb. 1808 W. Scott i. xii. 34 We saw the victor win the crest, He wears with worthy pride. 1870 F. R. Wilson 64 It was improved by the insertion of worthy windows. 1909 L. M. Montgomery xvi. 178 I know they would have to be sacrificed sometime, and surely there couldn't be a worthier occasion than this. 1973 S. Morison & P. M. Handover in S. Morison (new ed.) 31 His last specimen book in two quarto volumes..did not appear until five years after his death, his widow having laboured to produce a worthy memorial. 2005 D. Stark & A. Adler 138 Each stage of the plant is beautiful, so look at every one of them, not just the flowers, to find worthy material for a bouquet. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > that is due > deserved > by demerit eOE tr. Orosius (BL Add.) (1980) vi. ii. 134 Wyrþigre wrace hie forwurdon ða, cwæð Orosius. a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1965) Judith vi. 6 Whan worþi peynes of my swerd þey han taken: þiself shalt vnderlyn to lijc veniaunce. c1425 (1923) 21 (MED) It be the respecte of the ire of God from aboue that sendith to vs worthy paynys for oure demerites. 1551 R. Crowley sig. Biiii No hell can be a worthy payne For your offence it is so greate. 1574 ii. Wilful Rebell. iv. 586 A woorthy end of al false rebelles, who..become hangmen vnto them selues. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme cvi. 105 in (1998) II. 169 Often he freed them..But..Left them at length in worthy plagues to pine. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 6 He has much worthy blame laid vpon him. View more context for this quotation 1622 J. Taylor sig. A8 They..did as much as lay in them to doe..to giue them worthy punishment. 1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius 182 The whole Plot laid by the Inhabitant strangers of Leyden was discovered, many of whom, suffered death as a worthy punishment. 3. Deserving of blame, punishment, or misfortune. Cf. worth adj. 8b. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] > deserving (good or ill) > deserving by demerit a1300 (c1275) (1991) 304 Ðe deuel is tus ðe [read ðe fox] ilik, Mið iuele breides & wið swik, & man [emended in ed. to men], also ðe foxes name, Arn wurði to hauen same. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 1417 Pilatus he sende..Vorto holde hom harde inou, as hii wel wrþi were. 1387–8 Petition London Mercers in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 35 The same Nichol sayd bifor Mair, Aldermen, & owre craft bifor hem gadred in place of recorde, that..xxx. of vs were worthy to be drawen & hanged. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. v. l. 236 Þow haddest [be] better worthy be hanged þerfore. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 347 (MED) The fadir were worthi be blamed, if he wolde ordeyne these schoon to be no wijdir than euen meete to hise sones feet in the day of her firste wering. c1450 (1904) I. 155 He said his head war wurthi to be smetyn off. ?a1556 Grey Friars Chron. anno 1537 in R. Howlett (1882) II. 201 To be hongyd and heddyd..and there sufferde as they ware wordy. 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin i. ix. f. 20 Then suche carelesnesse is woorthye to bee laughed at. 1584 R. Scot iii. xix. 71 Whereby it is inferred, that they are worthie to die. 1632 in S. R. Gardiner (1886) 171 I think, therefore, he is worthie to paie 500li dammage. 1656 T. Blount Mastigophorer, a fellow worthy to be whipped. 1734 R. Erskine 43 If a Thief cut a Purse when the Judge is upon the Bench, and the Sentence ready to pass against him, he is worthy to be hanged. 1770 Marquis de Vere xv. 156 If there were any harm in it, she alone was worthy to be punished, since the Christian was nowise culpable. 1877 13 June 1/3 The man whom Lincoln acknowledged at the time as worthy to be shot. 1901 J. Batchelor xxxvi. 408 They considered it a crime worthy to be punished with death to kill him. 2010 125 970 The figure of the thief—untrustworthy, stealthy and fraudulent, worthy to be hanged. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 4788 Þat we ar worþi to þe deth, wel we be a-knowe. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 1153 (MED) To helle pyne he was wurþy. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) 746 As ȝe ben worþei of wo whan þe word failus. ?1505 in J. Raine (1890) 31 Yowr wyff hays had hyll wordes for me, qwylk yt I was never worde off. 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Calvin's Pref. Worthy of a thousand fires and gallowes. 1583 P. Stubbes sig. M1 There are manie woorthie of great blame in this respect. 1603 R. Knolles 709 Saying with seuere countenance, that they were worthie of such death. 1677 W. Hughes ii. vii. 115 Such Penance, were it voluntary, deserveth greatly to be admired at; but when 'tis necessary, and upon a Prince, is worthy of utmost detestation. 1712 W. Pittis 32 David not only rebuked him severely, but also adjudged Abner to be worthy of Death. 1766 J. Richie I. iii. 292 Nothing could have been more unjust and unreasonable than to inflict punishment where nothing worthy of punishment was done. 1834 W. C. Rives 11 In confining myself to these instances, I do not wish to be understood as thinking there is nothing else in the conduct of the Bank worthy of blame. 1859 L. Oliphant II. ix. 194 Criminals who have committed crimes worthy of death, forestall the public executioner. 1908 J. Curtin xv. 304 Immediately afterward he proclaimed them as worthy of death for their failure in duty. 1998 D. D. Volo & J. M. Volo iii. 38 This behavior was perfectly acceptable in their homeland, but it was perceived as a blasphemous public exhibition of drunkenness and immorality worthy of censure by the more sober-minded Americans. 2011 37 574/1 Passive euthanasia is also prohibited..although it is perceived by public opinion to be less worthy of punishment. a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1969) Jer. li. 18 Veyne ben þe werkis and worþi scornyng. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 2140 (MED) Þo þat haue here handys as lyme..myght..wyte redly what shame þat þey were wurþy! a1450 (1885) 152 (MED) And he escapid, it wer skathe And we welle worthy blame. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville (Caxton) iii. ix. f. lvj In this fyre haue they theyr sepulture, none other be they worthy. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) vi. §1. 21 Sett noght swilk skilles agayns me that i be conuycte and worthi dampnacioun. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus f. 10v Idlenes euermore [is] worthie blame. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer ii. 28 Oh hatefull case, worthy reproche. 1615 R. Brathwait 193 O I were worthy death, Not to loue them. 1660 W. Lower tr. P. Quinault v. 83 And if my passion be worthy death, Carlos is free, and I alone am guilty. 1792 R. Cumberland v. 181 Nothing is done unto him worthy death: I will chastise him therefore and release. 1888 12 Sept. 602/1 Prof. Wiley's article..was not science. It was worthy censure, for it taught glaring mischievous error, and dressed this in science's garb. 1889 J. R. Larus 104 Not every soul is worthy Hell. a1903 B. H. Barmby (1904) vi. vi. 354 They were far more worthy hanging than this young fellow that was to be executed for speaking the truth. 4. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > fitting or proper c1350 (1866) App. 270 (MED) Þe angel is worþy to þe heuene, þe werm to þe erþe. c1487 J. Skelton tr. Diodorus Siculus iii. 191 It ne had be sittyng for his honoure to have his doughtere oblyviously abiected wtout promotion digne and worthy for her estate. 1539 J. Hilsey Ep. Ded. I thought it to be so exquisite and of so exacte a iudgement..& worthy of so wyse & learned a patrone. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Virgil in 219 Mine Aeneas, which if it were worthy of your person, I wold most willingly present it to your highnesse. 1591 E. Spenser Ruines of Time in 287 Treasure passing all this worldes worth, Worthie of heauen it selfe, which brought it forth. 1637 S. Rutherford Let. in (1671) xci. 186 That our little inch of time-suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome-home to heaven. 1667 J. Milton iv. 241 Nectar, visiting each plant,..fed Flours worthy of Paradise. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil 557 Let that vile Soul in that vile Body rest; The Lodging is well worthy of the Guest. 1795 65 542/2 His charities..were truly splendid, worthy of the son of the celebrated Bishop of Cloyne. 1810 W. Scott v. 204 The stern joy which warriors feel In foeman [sic] worthy of their steel. 1829 W. Scott III. xii. 346 Your sentiments and conduct are worthy of the noble house you descend from. 1864 J. Bryce vi. 105 There had been pontiffs whose fearlessness and justice were worthy of their exalted office. 1917 A. S. Pringle-Pattison x. 192 This is what an American Realist, in a phrase worthy of Kant..has dubbed ‘the ego-centric predicament’. 1928 E. Phillpotts xvi. 132 I'd a lot rather put my thoughts into work, so as you should have a wedding worthy of you. 2008 17 Oct. 3/3 One of the UK's most successful character comedians giving a performance that smacked of a hungover improv not worthy of back street Edinboro' fringe. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suitable or appropriate [phrase] the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > be suitable, appropriate, or suit [verb (intransitive)] > be fitting or proper a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xv. clii. 813 It is worthi to trowe sawes and writynges of poetes and of writers ȝif here religioun and fey is nouȝt aȝens gode þewes and maners. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 7311 It es wel worthye þat qua Mai bere no wel ne thole na wa. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville (Caxton) (1859) v. xiv. 79 Now for this feste shalle we seyen the graces, As worthy is, with all oure dylygence. a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Fox, Wolf, & Cadger l. 2099 in (1981) 80 ‘It is weill worthie,’ quod he, ‘I want ȝone tyke, [etc.].’ 1530 (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 288 Yt is worthy that man shulde calle..all the workes of god to prayse hym. 1532 Romaunt Rose in f. clxviii/1 It were worthy To putte the out of this bayly. 1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger lxxvi. 525 It was worthy, that the punnishment thereof should extende and indure many yeres. 1638 R. Whittle Ep. Ded. sig. 4v I dare not say to your Honor of this my booke..Dignus est, it is worthy that your Honour should accept it. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > fitting or proper c1450 (1900) 267 Þe glose..seyth þat it is noȝt worthy god to be mercyfull to hym þat is cruel & vnmercyfull. a1535 T. More Richard III in (1557) sig. c.ii/1 Katheryne..is..in verye prosperous estate, and woorthye her birth and vertue. 1595 R. Parry iii. sig. C3 It is not because she will not loue, but for that she seeth none worthie her loue. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus 40 Her lookes..did but seeke to find a Rocke worthy her shipwracke. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil 397 These are Imperial Arts, and worthy thee. 1720 A. Pope tr. Homer V. xviii. 166 The Host to succour, and thy Friends to save, Is worthy thee. 1774 O. Goldsmith II. iii. 130 To teach him all such arts and sciences as are worthy the heir to a great Kingdom. 1832 Ld. Tennyson Dream Fair Women xlviii, in (new ed.) 134 A name for ever!.. Worthy a Roman spouse. 1852 J. H. Newman ix. 298 It is the drawing the mind off..to subjects which are worthy a rational being. 1916 Mar. 61/1 The graduates of this college are to be found in all walks of life..—each trying to fill her own niche in a manner worthy the ideals of her alma mater. 5. a. Sufficiently valuable or important to be treated or regarded in the way specified; deserving of the time or effort spent. Cf. worth adj. 9. a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1965) Ecclus. vi. 15 To a feiþful frend is no comparisoun, þer is not worþi peisyng of gold & of seluer: aȝeen þe goodnesse of þe feiþ of hym. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus I. Matt. iii. 1 Nowe is it worthy the hearyng to knowe how our Lorde Iesus Christ began & entred with the matter, that he came for. 1581 G. Pettie in tr. S. Guazzo To Rdr. sig. ij Either to doo thinges woorth the writing, or to write thynges woorthy the readyng. 1613 S. Purchas 152 The wordes of Beniamin are worthy the inserting. 1685 in W. Mure (1854) I. 145 I took boat from Middleburgh to Dort; nothing occurred worthie noticeing. 1718 No. 27. 179 He is not worthy regarding who has not some Spice of this Ambition. 1827 17 Nov. 275/1 Some years ago, I witnessed a sight..worthy mentioning—namely, one of our boats struck a porpoise, of no uncommon size. 1842 W. Wordsworth Borderers iii, in 325 'Twere matter Worthy the hearing. 1879 J. Morley iii. 40 A time..when England would not be worthy living in. c1475 tr. A. Chartier (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 141 (MED) Yf anythinge hereynne be worthy of lecture, lat it auaile for to yiue som space of tyme to visite and rede the surpluse. ?1548 D. Lindsay sig. Eiiiiv My lordes (sayed he) there are two thynges worthy of note. The one is certeyne, the other vncerteyne. 1556 tr. A. Mainardi iv. iii. 106 It is worthy of noting, that the defenders of the masse sai, that the masse is gods institution. 1613 W. Welwood xvii. 72 No fish can be found worthy of any paines and trauels. 1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis 21 in And continually we mett with many things, right worthy of Obseruation, and Relation. 1703 W. Dampier Pref. sig. A4v Things..worthy of our Diligentest Search and Inquiry. 1798 J. Ferriar iv. 137 It contains nothing worthy of attention. 1848 L. Hunt Pref. 16 French has lately been thought worthy of cultivation. 1867 20 July 42/3 Another point worthy of remark is that pin fire seems to be dying out. 1907 22 232 There are border-line cases which are well worthy of consideration by those who are interested in this form of arthritis. 1933 30 515 Especially worthy of mark are the sections on knowledge and reality. 1955 (News of World) 131/2 Another group of cold-water fish worthy of mention are the sunfish of America. 2011 8 Aug. 51/1 His list itself is worthy of multiple trips, if only to sample rare by-the-glass selections of ‘yellow’ wines. 1533 T. Paynell tr. U. von Hutten xxvi. f. 74 So wolde I nowe haue made an ende of feadynge, if there had not chanced to come to my mynde certayn thynges worthy to be noted. 1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara (rev. ed.) iii. xxii. f. 39v It is a meruelous thing to see, and woorthy to note that al the corporal members of man waxeth old, but the inward hart, and the outward tonge. 1658 Earl of Monmouth tr. P. Paruta ii. i. 65 Doria refused to fall upon any petty businesse, as not worthy for his Kings Fleet, to run any hazard in. 1715 E. Elstob 25 It is worthy to observe how the Francick agrees with this. 1846 W. J. Law 23 Strabo says of the Ligurians of the Apennine that they lived in villages, and that their country possessed nothing worthy for him to relate. 1918 May 64 It is worthy to mention that..he maintained without compromise the dress and speech and demeanor which distinguished the consistent Friends of his generation. 2014 R. Rogers in C. Hart & P. Cap ii. xx. 495 There are several points worthy to note about these sanctions. society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > [adjective] > capable of justifying expenditure 1556 M. Huggarde (new ed.) f. 124v Cranmers & the others religion not good: but Goddes religion was best. With suche other vayne woordes not worthy the tyme in rehersal. 1609 W. Shakespeare xxxvii. sig. C4v Oh giue thy selfe the thankes if ought in me, Worthy perusal stand against thy sight. 1615 H. Crooke viii. 688 But this reason is so absurd, that it seemeth not worthy the time and labour of confutation. 1639 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney (1904) I. 94 There is no newes worth your acceptance or worthy my labour. 1727 S. Switzer i. v. 38 It is worthy remark, that the waters that are found in the plains are most commonly brackish. 1777 W. Dalrymple xiii. 132 I was informed, it was worthy notice, but I was too tired to visit it. 1785 J. Phillips 44 It would be found worthy the expence to carry the navigation..to Braintree. 1840 July 432 Fruit Piece... Beautifully painted: the subject not worthy the effort. 1899 Oct. 341/1 Housekeepers..subscribed to scholarships, in the experimental year of the Syracuse school, and appointed women to fill them, sometimes a faithful servant worthy the outlay. 1943 21 July 5/4 There lurks in it a danger worthy the attention of those who warn us so earnestly and pictorially against the ‘squanderbug’. 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin iv. f. 72v But verily it is a woorthy cause, for whiche the Pope should hyre such patrones for money. 1622 R. Hawkins xxxv. 87 It were large to recount the Voyages, and worthy Enterprises, overthrowne by this pollicie [sc. of laying up ships]. 1689 J. Turner 20 There was a very worthy project under consideration of Rebuilding this decayed and ruinated house. 1746 W. Wilkes p. vii I reckon it a worthy Undertaking to instruct the Young and Ignorant. 1828 10 May We think this a most worthy charity [sc. an asylum for indigent boys] and therefore take pleasure in calling the attention of our readers to it. 1877 11 May 6/5 The Liberal party is not dead yet, and only needed a worthy enterprise in order to stir it into fresh activity. 1937 Spring 575/1 The work of these seven students..makes a worthy contribution to neurological knowledge. 1964 Jan. 52/2 People will..give unstintingly of themselves when they are shown a worthy project. 2015 K. Meader 375 She would be running their new non-profit division, pairing up worthy causes with corporate sponsors. society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > [adjective] > bound or under obligation 1469 M. Paston in (2004) I. 337 Whech wele considered she were wurthy to recompense you. II. Good, esteemed, valuable. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective] > specifically of things or actions c1300 (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 412 Clerkes that beoth yordeyned, thu wost hi bereth a signe, That hi beoth lymes of holi churche that so worthi is and digne. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1927 I wol minge of a mater..of þe worþi wedding..bi-twene þi meyde meliors & þe prince of grece. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. l. 24 Is cryst more of myȝte & more worthy name Þan ihesu or ihesus? ?c1450 (?a1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 98 (MED) Þis stat is most wortþi in þe chirche. 1557 Matt. xxiii. 6 They..loue to syt in the worthiest place at feastes. 1590 C. Marlowe sig. A6 We knew..The Lord would not be too exasperate, To iniure or suppresse your woorthy tytle. 1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau f. 5v/2 The worthyest partes of the bodye, as the Braynes, Harte, Liver, or throte. 1623 J. Taylor Ded. sig. A2v All which..I humbly Dedicate to your Noble, Worshipfull and worthy Acceptances. a1721 M. Prior (1723) ix. 4 He is a Lawyer of worthy Renown. †8. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > worth > [adjective] a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1501 Firme birðe was wurði wune. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1932 Þe real emperours a-risen, & richeli hem greiþed, wiþ alle worþi wedes þat wiȝhes were scold. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xiv. l. 28 Thauh ich preise pouerte þus and preoue hit by ensamples Worthiour. c1450 (1900) 190 Prayere is more worthy to god þan almes or fastyng. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 86 Þus ȝe may se by veray reson þat Godys grace ys more worþy þen any fayre. 1557 F. Seager Schoole of Vertue in (2002) i. 345 Aristotle the Philosopher this worthy sayinge writ. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach ii. f. 108 The Date (a woorthy tree) bendeth vp agaynst his burden. 1593 sig. B1v The pots feet finely roasted In a worthie fire. 1628 R. Hayman in (1918) Jan. 31 Vnlesse your maiestie suddainely assist, this worthie busines is like to vanish Lamentablely. 1664 J. Playford (ed. 4) i. 75 All the best passionate Graces used in this most worthy manner of singing. 1669 J. Worlidge ix. 150 These worthy sort of Beasts are in great request with the Husbandman, the Ox being useful at his Cart and Plough, the Cow yielding great store of Provision. 1774 T. Pennant 303 According to the worthy custom of these islands. 1852 Mar. 354 But it is necessary to stop, or we shall transfer the whole of this worthy sermon to our pages. the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [adjective] the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [adjective] > efficacious a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xl. 933 Þe piþþe is best in medicyne, and þe seed is secoundary, and þe rynde is litel oþer nouȝt worþy in vertue. ?a1425 (?1373) (1938) f. 26 That is a worþi plaster for hounde bytinge. 1576 G. Baker tr. C. Gesner iii. f. 133v This is the worthyest medicine of procuring memory. 1602 W. Clowes 63 By the applycation of these two noble compositions.., with other worthy Agglutinatiues and drying medicaments.., she was perfectly cured. 1621 R. Burton ii. iv. ii. i. 452 Antimony is..a worthy medicine if it be rightly applyed to a strong man, otherwise poyson. 1837 A. Tenant 203 If costive, take..four teaspoons full a day: a worthy medicine in this complaint. the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > specifically of people a1333 in C. Brown (1924) 16 (MED) Of wourþy stok y-kore þou were. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2077 (MED) I haue him..fostered fro a fundeling to þe worþiest of mi lond. 1384 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 25 For whiche wordes..the dissension ys arrise betwene the worthy persones & the smale people of the town. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 217 Famylier was hee With Frankeleyns..And eek with worthy wommen of the town. c1450 Urbanitatis (Calig. A.ii) in (2002) i. 14 If þou sytte be a worthyor man Then þy self thow art on, Suffre hym fyrste to towche þe mete. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 117 There was Ecuba þe honerable..With women of worship the worthiest of Troy. 10. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [adjective] a1350 (?c1225) (Harl.) (1901) l. 1222 For þer bueþ myne knyhte worþi men & lyhte. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) ii. 4023 Isaac..of his men most worþi at þam conseile gan take. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiii. l. 33 (MED) Þis maister was made sitte as for þe moste worthy. 1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan i. xx. sig. Eij The good..admonestyng of the worthy duc euereaceth in an oost hardynes..and vertue. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. (Rawl.) (1898) 197 Iosue the Wourthy and wyse weryor. 1549 (STC 16267) Buriall f. xxiiii* Thou moste worthy iudge eternal. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer ii. 20 He callde the auntients of the host, they that most worthy were. 1608 W. Crashaw tr. N. Balbani xxx. 81 But especially his worthy wife did then shew her selfe most louing and loyall. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. vii. 230 Long liue King Richard, Englands worthie [1597 royall] King. 1663 J. Taylor 20 He was bred in Cambridge,..under Mr. Hulet, a grave and a worthy Man. 1711 J. Addison No. 106. ¶4 My worthy Friend has put me under the particular Care of his Butler. 1758 S. Hayward Introd. p. iii A small collection of your late dear and worthy Pastor's sermons. 1806 H. Siddons III. 211 That worthy man could read hearts with great perspicuity. 1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton I. iii. ii. 149 Slowly then rose Alred, Bishop of Winchester, the worthiest prelate in all the land. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ vii. 110 She would like her to be..married to some worthy person. 1921 G. L. Shumway III. 98/1 The parents were most worthy people in every relation of life. 1962 16 Aug. 359/2 They had adopted the vocation of bone-setting as a means of benefiting mankind and the poor. These worthy men soon converted the whole Pascal family. 1994 K. J. Gergen (1997) viii. 202 An individual without a sense of core identity is without direction,..lacking the fundamental assurance that he or she is a worthy person. society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > [adjective] > high-minded or magnanimous a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. l. 1656 (MED) Hou that a king himself schal reule Of his moral condicion With worthi disposicion Of good livinge in his persone. ?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena (Harl.) (1966) 251 Whanne sich a worþi soule resceyueþ þat blessid sacrament, he dwelliþ in me and I in hym. 1567 W. Painter II. xxvii. f. 271 He was not able elsewhere to enioy the presence of his Sainct, but in places and temples of deuotion: whiche no doubt was a very holie and woorthie disposition. 1617 J. Taylor sig. A3v It doth each worthy heart with courage strike, To Imitate the actions that are good. 1685 C. Cotton tr. M. de Montaigne III. x. 375 Both of them men of worthy Character, For able Ministers in Peace and War. 1753 S. Richardson IV. ii. 12 But all three are men of worthy minds, and deserve better fortune. 1788 J. Wesley VII. 14 Such as are stiled in the cant-term of the day, men of worthy characters: (one of the most silly, insignificant words, that ever came in fashion). 1843 E. Miall in 3 1 An act of homage done to great and worthy principles. 1904 Oct. 122 With a worthy selflessness he throws himself into the life of the people. 1968 19 Sept. 357/1 A skilful person is ‘dextrous’: in its way as insulting to left-handers..as ‘white man’, for someone of worthy character, is offensive to Negroes. 1993 May 19/2 The Lord Jesus was perfect and when he was angry it was righteous anger. Where we are concerned there is a very great risk that our anger will be in part motivated by less worthy motives. society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > [adjective] > high-minded or magnanimous > specifically of actions, etc. c1430 N. Love (Brasenose e.9) (1908) 88 In this worthy werk [sc. bapteme] all the holy trinite was opounely schewed in a singuler manere. 1563 Bp. J. Pilkington sig. G.viv Here was one company of yonge menne, and there another which did singe the prayses and worthy dedes of the woman. 1609 T. Dekker sig. D3 Your next worthy worke is, to repaire to my Lord Chancellors Tomb. 1619 J. Taylor sig. C3 I know there's many worthy proiects done, The which more credit..hath won. 1732 H. Mills 209 Worthy Deeds are always an Ornament to human Nature; but they are lovely, and most beautiful in Youth. 1851 E. B. Browning i. vii. 16 Before the eyes of men, who wake at last, And..turn to wakeful prayer and worthy act. 1986 27 265 The Natchitoches Lesche Club still continues its worthy works. 2010 13 404 Kant cannot consistently maintain both that morally worthy actions are right acts done from the best possible motive and that some impermissible acts could have moral worth. 1930 29 Mar. 809/2 One feels a little of that particular weariness that comes from too much worthiness... One feels that it [sc. a book] itself is so worthy; the author is so worthy; that one is so worthy oneself to have [read it]. 1959 4 Dec. 6/4 Dresses, as I have said, are terribly ladylike and could be terribly worthy unless you were careful. 1970 12 Oct. 11 That rather unfortunate category among television documentaries—worthy but not terribly watchable. 1998 21 Mar. (Mag. section) 29/1 We're probably a bit square... We always were, a bit lefty, a bit worthy. 2010 T. Huddleston in J. Pym 957/2 The film draws on timely issues of class struggle and criminal violence... It's all rather worthy. the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adjective] > characterized by unusual violence or force c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) xii. 4 (MED) Ich was more worþy oȝains hym. a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) xlix. 4 in C. Horstmann (1896) II. 181 Fire in his sight sal brenne sothli And in his vmgange storme worthi [L. valida]. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 482 Alla, kyng of al Northumberlond..was ful wys and worthy of his hond Agayn the Scottes. a1500 (?a1400) (1903) l. 2559 (MED) Lordyngis, yet I rede we byde And oure worthy walles holde. c1400 (a1387) J. Trevisa Epist. to Ld. Berkeley in (1988) 294 Welthe and worschip to my worþy and worschypfol lord. 1425 W. Paston in (2004) I. 4 Right worthy and worshepefull ser, I recomaunde [me] to yow. 1587 A. Fleming et al. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1583/2 An honorable person, and a right worthie member of the lower house. 1636 J. Taylor A v b All the worthy Company of Vintoners. 1639 J. Taylor 20 The right worthy worshipfull Knight Sir Paul Neale. 1762 S. Foote iii. 64 Silence, gentlemen,..A worthy member is up. 1783 H. C. Jennings 51 Nine tenths of our present worthy House of Commons. 1856 1 Feb. 11/3 Most worthy Sir,—I have a piece of information to communicate which must, I fear, deeply excite your disgust. 1897 25 Dec. 8/7 Canon Moore proposed a vote of thanks to the worthy and worshipful Mayor. 1920 26 May 10/3 Mrs. L. J. Disbrow..has been elected C. S. G. T. of the right worthy grand lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars. 2016 20 May 6 a [He] was also a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Patron twice..for Thelma Chapter No. 24. 13. Law. In the comparative or superlative, or modified by an adverb of degree, as more, most, equally, etc. society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > [phrase] > by lineage c1523 J. Rastell sig. D5 Yf ther be many bretherne & yf any of them purchase landys in fee and dye whithout issu the land shall descend alway to the eldyst brother for yt yt ys he most worthy of blod. 1528–30 tr. T. Littleton (new ed.) f. iv Thelder brother shal haue the lande by descent..for that that thelder brother is more worthy of blode. 1548 N. Bodrugan sig. a.vii The two better partes to be holden of the firste, as of the worthiest of the bloud, accordyng to the Troyan lawe, from whence thei were discended. a1676 M. Hale (1713) 230 In the Case of Purchasers,..it resorted to the Line of the Mother, and the nearer and more worthy of Blood were preferred. 1726 G. Jacob 168 In discents, the next and most worthy of Blood, shall inherit. 1766 W. Blackstone II. 213 The worthiest of blood shall be preferred. 1841 H. J. Stephen I. 382 All the female ancestors..were equally worthy of blood. 1891 3 239 If a stranger made a grant to the eldest of four brothers and he died without issue, all the brothers were equally near to him in degree, but the land descended to the second brother as the most worthy of blood. a1625 H. Finch (1627) ii. iii. 116 The bloud of the fathers side is worthier than the mothers: the elder brother worthier than the rest. Therefore these shal inherite first. 1661 H. B. tr. E. Plowden 86 The Eldest is of the most worthy blood, yet he is not neerest, and so it is uncertain who should take, according to the letter of the Will. 1674 J. Godolphin ii. xxxiii. 170 The Third is in the Line Transversal or Collateral, as Uncles, Aunts, Great-Uncles, and so side-wards; alwayes remembring that the whole blood is more worthy than the half blood; and the nigher Degree more worthy than that which is more remote. a1754 J. Strange (1755) 1 491 A devise to the heir is void,..because he has a better and more worthy title by descent. 1793 C. Watkins iii. 124 John leaving a daughter by one wife, and a son and daughter by another, the remainder descends..to Henry his son by Francis Wilson, as of the worthiest sex. 1793 C. Watkins v. 147 It [sc. an estate] shall descend to his heirs on the part of his father, as of the worthiest blood. 2014 L. Wilson v. 82 In legal practice did step and half siblings respond as Adams and others would predict? Did people think in terms of the worthiest blood? †III. Having a specified value. society > trade and finance > monetary value > [adjective] > of specified value 1387 Will in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 210 (MED) Y will þat John Edmund [haue]..þe bordes & þe gaudron in þe kechyn..he to paie þer-for as it ys worthy, for-be ony otherman. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) 6323 Hys vessel was ten mark wurþy [a1425 Bodl. wrþy]. c1450 in (1955) 17 232 (MED) If þe wedde were worthy mare Þan þe dette amounte mighte, Hym behouyd ȝylde agayn þrogh ryghte. a1500 (?a1400) (Harl. 3909) (1926) l. 330 (MED) Of siluer shuld þat peny be, ten comune penys hit was worthy. 1569 J. Sanford tr. H. C. Agrippa 160 The thinge is so muche worthy as it maye be solde for. 1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. f. 36v If thou saie they are no gifts, but trifles worthie nought. 1579 in D. Masson (1880) 1st Ser. III. 203 Togidder with thair hattis, plaidis, swirdis, quhinȝearis, and uther geir that they had, worthie the sowme of £100. 1591 (?a1425) Annunciation & Nativity (Huntington) in R. M. Lumiansky & D. Mill (1974) I. 119 Thryd parte the worlde, as read wee, that temple was worthye. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iii. xx. 185 The traffike they make of it, is worthy much mony. 1721 A. Ramsay 124 We thought that dealer's stock an ill ane, That was not wordy haff a million. ?1824 (1912) II. 48 A teaspoon o' silver is wordy some brass. B. n. 1. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [noun] a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 755 A sete, þat was..vnder a windowe of þat worþeis chaumber. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 1508 ‘I woled wyt at yow, wyȝe,’ þat worþy þer sayde,..‘what were [etc.].’ c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 4103 Vp-on þe whiche..many worþi loste þer his lif. ?c1450 (Trin. Cambr.) (1908) 459 These were the iiij estates with alle the ix worthies. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 849 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 121 The pape..Wosche with yir worthyis and went to counsall. 1535 1 Macc. ix. 21 Alas, that this worthy shulde be slayne. 1550 J. Coke sig. Bij Charlemayne..for his valyauntnesse is of the nombre of the nyne Worthyes. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil ii. 24 Too serue this woorthy,..My father vnwelthy mee sent. 1589 W. Warner (new ed.) vi. xxix. 128 For well this Subiect might increase the Worthies vnto ten. 1605 sig. E3v This fierce, couragious Prince, a noble, worthy. 1619 J. Taylor sig. C1v Forgot had bin the thrice three worthies names, If thrice three Muses had not writ their fames. 1628 A. Leighton 126 Sundry worthies of the Scottish nation. 1654 R. Whitlock 322 Rule to trye the reall worth of Feminine worthies by. 1664 S. Butler ii. ii. 78 Did not our Worthies of the House, Before they broke the Peace, break Vows? 1707 in E. Ward Ded. sig. A5v To excite some renown'd Worthy to do you Justice. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in 647 With commendation due, To set some living worthy in his view. View more context for this quotation 1805 R. Southey i. xviii. 183 The Bard of years to come..Shall with the Worthies of his country rank Llewelyn's name. 1866 J. Martineau 1st Ser. 1 Before he can be..registered among the worthies of humanity. 1868 E. A. Freeman II. vii. 81 In the course of the next year England lost one of her truest worthies. 1917 July 34/2 To wheedle the quidnuncs, i.e., the newspaper men, into giving him a place amongst the local worthies. 1953 F. O'Connor 14 June (1980) 59 We have a fine new literature commission in this state, composed of a preacher, a picture-show manager, and some other worthy. 2014 25 Apr. 22/2 Is your grandfather one of the local worthies greeting the Duke of Kent on his 1935 visit to Elstree fire station? the mind > emotion > courage > heroism > [noun] > hero the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [noun] > in antiquity 1552–3 in A. Feuillerat (1914) 133 A maske of greate personages representinge the woorthyes of the greekes. a1626 W. Rowley (1662) sig. G1v He to the world shall add another Worthy. 1638 F. Junius 51 Hercules among all the other Worthies was most frequently made in a Lions skinne. 1762 R. Hurd iv. 32 Do not you remember that the Grecian worthies were..as famous for encountering Dragons..as for suppressing Giants? 1839 J. Maveston 77 He achieves, too, more mirac'lous deeds, Than all the feats of mighty Harlequin, Of any hero of the Golden Fleece, Of all the worthies of old Rome and Greece. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > learned person, scholar > [noun] society > faith > aspects of faith > theology > theologian > [noun] > learned 1567 J. Jewel ii. 297 Catharinus, one of the woorthies of your Late Chapter of Tridente. 1605 sig. Aiijv Popish grounds, which our owne worthyes, long since haue razed and overthrowne. 1607 S. Hieron Pref. sig. *3v Is not this,..to make voyd all the writings of our worthyes written in condemnation of those corrupt translations? 1611 M. Smith in Transl. to Rdr. sig. Bv So many of their Worthies disclaiming the now receiued conceit. 1742 A. Garden 65 You must set at one again the Two eminent Worthies (Wesley and Whitefield) now at such Enmity between themselves. the world > people > person > [noun] 1649 No. 1. 2 Up therefore and be doing, because your Worthies have gotten bloody Noses, and their Arreares paid them in cracked Crownes. 1751 W. Warburton in III. 109 Thus it fared with our two Worthies. 1791 G. Huddesford 111 The worthies at Rag Fair old caxons who barter. 1821 W. Scott I. iii. 69 Tressilian acquiesced, and the two worthies left the apartment together. 1836 C. Dickens 2nd Ser. 22 Stirring the tap-room fire, and..taking part in the conversation of the worthies assembled round it. 1850 ‘Sylvanus’ i. 13 Another worthy of York appertaining to the turf about this period. 1880 R. Browning Pietro in 351 Ho, my knaves without there! Lead this worthy downstairs! 1949 Nov. 5/2 The referee..ordered the nonplussed players to scrum opposite the linesman while that worthy continued to flag ‘ball-back’. 2009 (Nexis) 11 July 2 During Murray's valiant efforts, one worthy at the bar said: ‘Ach, it's like William Wallace.’ c1380 (1879) l. 5722 (MED) Of þyne ne schalt þow lese noȝt þe worthy of a pere. a1400 in K. W. Engeroff (1914) 50 (MED) Non of þe Citee ne shal don werche qwyltes ne chalouns hy-þoute þe walles of þe Citee, vp-on peyne to lese þat good, oþer þat worþy. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > good repute > reputability or honourableness > [noun] > person or people a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. l. 2058 That he be [= by] worthi and be wise..was conseiled. a1439 J. Lydgate (Bodl. 263) v. l. 2552 In departyng of chaumpayne heritages Atwen the worthi & poore of the cite Bi egal porciouns. c1460 (Royal 18 D.ii) 573 Howe Kynge Pryamus, with al the worthy of Troyans partye, kame to the felde. 1604 (Ecclus. x.) 94 The worthy are displaced, and the vnworthy advanced. 1733 A. Pope Epitaph Gay in June 319 The worthy and the good shall say, Striking their aching bosoms, Here lies Gay. 1791 R. Polwhele (ed. 2) II. xix. 95 To strip..the worthy of their apparent excellence, and thus bring them nearer to the standard of her own morality, is her general incentive to detraction. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth iv, in 2nd Ser. III. 95 It is no light thing to be shunned by the worthy as an infected patient. 1845 J. C. Mangan I. 76 The Worthy possess not the earth. 1952 17 Nov. 107/1 Those whom the minister deemed unfit to receive the Lord's Supper were forbidden to come to the table, and thus were ‘fenced off’ from the worthy. 1992 10 Aug. 24/1 The more efficiently the meritocratic principle sorts out the worthy from the unworthy, the more stratified society will become. 2014 M. J. Guillory (2015) i. 4 The rising waters had made pickups a perilous task reserved for the worthy and the fearless. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > worth > [noun] > thing of worth 1598 W. Shakespeare iv. iii. 234 In her faire cheeke, Where seuerall worthies make one dignitie. View more context for this quotation C. adv.society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adverb] > deservedly > in a manner worthy of a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 11618 (MED) Þe lauerd au ȝe worthi [a1400 Vesp. worthli] to loue. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 1477 Sir Wawen her welcumed worþy on fyrst. 1526 Eph. iv. 1 I..exhorte you thatt ye walke worthy [Gk. ἀξίως] off the vocation wher with ye are called. 1572 (a1500) (1882) 362 Thay callit it the best ȝule than, And maist worthie began, Sen euer King Charlis was man. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach iii. f. 114 Among all other creatures..the Horse may worthiest challenge the chiefest place. 1641 in G. Seton (1896) II. 663 Act of exoneration..[declares that he] heath in all integritie..walked woorthie of so great trust. 1658 J. Gauden & E. Gauden Let. 24 May in H. Cromwell (2007) 372 Wee are ambitious to live worthy of that favour your noblenesses were pleased to express to, Your lordship's very humble servants. 1782 R. Alves 151 For in these days, ere guilt had stain'd the earth, While men walk'd worthy of their heavenly birth, Heaven smil'd on man. 1806 H. Siddons II. 67 It is a prouder triumph to found a race by living worthy, than to receive the greatest honours from the records of the dead. 1815 M. Pilkington III. 47 Satisfaction which arises from a conviction of having acted worthy of ourselves. 1882 29 June 21/2 You are not walking worthy of your vocation. Indeed, if you are walking gloomily and sadly the world cannot know that you have got the secret spring of gladness. 1920 3 July 22/1 We appreciate the promise of our classmates to readmit us into good standing in the class again as though nothing had happened, as long as we behave worthy of their friendship. 1987 A. R. Ammons 73 How can I live worthy of you, in the freedom of your limber engagements. 2011 C. B. Cooney 244 Kelvin liked to think of himself as one who walked worthy. Phrasesc1450 tr. G. Boccaccio (1924) l. 207 (MED) Bochace thought it labour veyne Thies nobyll virgyns to put in his storye Amonge the Gentyls, for it were..But superfluous and no prayse worthy. 1530 G. Joye tr. M. Bucer sig. f Great is ye lord and great prayse worthy, in the cytie of our god whiche is his holy hyll. 1569 N. Haward tr. Seneca xx. f. 67 Although he were in all other thynges a verye notable man and great praise worthie, yet in this point he ouershotte himselfe. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) I. ii. 178/2 Smal prayse worthy was it in them to kepe it. 1587 J. Hooker tr. Giraldus Cambrensis Vaticinall Hist. Conquest Ireland ii. xxxv. 52/1 in (new ed.) II Great praise-worthie was he that gaue the first aduenture. 1600 J. Golburne tr. C. de Valera i. 117 Great praise worthy are the Bohemians, that with great constancy, haue continewed in the good Doctrine. Compounds1581 A. Munday Ep. Ded. sig. A.ii To the Courteous, and woorthie minded Gentleman, Maister George Gifford, as also to the vertuous Gentlewoman his wife. 1590 J. Smythe f. 50v (margin) No honorable nor worthie minded men. 1769 H. Brooke IV. xvii. 14 He is a worthy-hearted child. 1777 J. Adams 2 May in (1917) I. 321 A worthy spirited sensible Man, a Native of Connecticutt. 1826 18 Aug. The worthy spirited philanthropist had filled three bladders with Hodge's genuine extract. 1846 J. Gostick tr. J. W. von Goethe in 42/1 They observed a worthy-looking old man approaching the scene of disturbance. 1856 26 227 A worthy-minded parson of the old school. 1875 14 In the same saloon, I gave it [sc. a Bible] to a worthy seeming young, colored man. 1926 2 Aug. 4/2 No worthy spirited community can forget its origin. 1934 22 Nov. 14/5 If every mistake is to be the first-and-final, a matter for the death penalty, only those can remain who either have never made a mistake..or who are less worthy-minded. 2005 84 171/2 How should they allocate their charitable giving among the numerous worthy-sounding groups that aim to reduce poverty? C2. 1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas (new ed.) ii. iv. 2 Let me his Harp-strings..haue; His Lute, and not his Launce, to worthie-sing Thy glorie. 1844 E. B. Barrett I. 227 The leafy sounds of woodlands..Brought interposition worthy-sweet. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † worthyv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: worthy adj. Etymology: < worthy adj. Compare earlier aworthy v. Obsolete. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > respect > [verb (transitive)] > show respect for a1500 (Rawl.) (1896) 93 The Pepil of the londe, manshiply hym sholde vp-take, and worthy as lorde. 1879 27 Nov. 82/2 Without showing the slightest emotion at the sight of his own reflection, or worthying it with a song. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > honour > give honour to [verb (transitive)] society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > deserve (well or ill) > by merit > make or hold worthy of 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in i. f. cccxxviiv Who hath worthyed kynges in the felde? 1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus II. Jas. i. f. xxviiv This is the honoure that the heauenly father worthyed vs withal. 1565 J. Calfhill f. 128v To make hir wel apayde, that she should be worthied to haue a God to talk to hir. 1565 J. Calfhill f. 170v Sith the Scripture is worthyed of these titles. 1601 W. Watson in T. Bluet sig. *2v By how much I might be worthied with a fauourable conceit had of you all. 1608 W. Shakespeare vii. 116 When he..put vpon him such a deale of man, that, That worthied him, got prayses of the King. 1624 F. Quarles sig. N1 So wisedome be the message; Embassadours are worthyed in th' Embassage. 1917 J. M. Wright Let. 20 July in (1918) 39 I had at last worthied myself to gain self-reliance and independence. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online December 2021). > see alsoalso refers to : -worthycomb. form <  adj.n.adv.eOE v.a1500see also |
