lithen
English edit
Pronunciation edit
Etymology 1 edit
From Middle English *lithnien, equivalent to lithe + -en.
Verb edit
lithen (third-person singular simple present lithens, present participle lithening, simple past and past participle lithened)
- (archaic) To make lithe, soften; to ease, mitigate
- 1874, Emma Robinson, Cæsar Borgia:
- “Nay, daughter, when thou art as old as Notte it will be time enough to reckon years!” returned the dark-skinned sybil, lithening the stiff folds of a viper in a blue oil, which cast out a noisome perfume as she stirred it.
- 1914, Mary Johnston, Sir Mortimer, page 278:
- " […] I only know that for well-nigh all the stricken he hath lithened the fever, and that he hath recalled to life many an one whom the chirurgeon had given over to the chaplain."
Etymology 2 edit
From lithe (“a mixture of oatmeal and water”) + -en.
Verb edit
lithen (third-person singular simple present lithens, present participle lithening, simple past and past participle lithened)