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plight

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Plight is a bad or unfortunate situation.

(noun)

An example of plight is living in poverty.

See plight in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

Origin: 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

transitive verb

to pledge or promise, or bind by a pledge

Origin: 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

See plight in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one. See Synonyms at predicament.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , alteration (influenced by plight, risky promise or pledge)

Origin: of plit, fold, wrinkle, situation

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman

Origin: , from Latin plicitum

Origin: , neuter past participle of plicāre, to fold; see plek- in Indo-European roots

transitive verb plight·ed, plight·ing, plights

To promise or bind by a solemn pledge, especially to betroth.
To give or pledge (one's word or oath, for example).

noun

A solemn pledge, as of faith.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English plighten

Origin: , from Old English plihtan, to endanger, put at risk

Origin: , from pliht, danger, risk; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

plightˈer noun

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