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plight1 definition

plight (plīt)

noun

a condition or state of affairs; esp., now, an awkward, sad, or dangerous situation

Etymology: ME plit, state, condition < Anglo-Fr for OFr pleit, a fold, way of folding, condition (see plait): sense infl. by ME plight < OE pliht: see plight

plight2 definition

plight (plīt)

transitive verb

to pledge or promise, or bind by a pledge

Etymology: ME plihten < OE plihtan, to pledge, expose to danger < pliht, a pledge, danger, akin to pleon, to risk, Ger pflicht, duty

noun

Archaic a pledge
plight Idioms

plight one's troth

  1. Obsolete to pledge one's truth, or one's word
  2. to make a promise of marriage

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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