Obs. [f. WORTHY a.]
1. trans. To render, or hold, worthy (of something); to raise to honor or distinction.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, I. ii. 109. Who hath worthyed kinges in the felde?
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Jas. i. 13–21. This is the honoure that the heauenly father worthyed vs withal.
1565. Calfhill, Answ. Martiall, 128 b. To make hir wel apayde, that she should be worthied to haue a God to talk to hir. Ibid., 170 b. Sith the Scripture is worthyed of these titles.
1601. W. Watson, Import. Consid. (1831), 4. By how much I might be worthied with a favourable conceit had of you all.
1605. Shaks., Lear, II. ii. 128. When he … put vpon him such a deale of Man, That worthied him, got praises of the King.
1624. Quarles, Job Militant, Med. xvi. N 1. So wisedome be the message; Embassadours are worthyed in th’ Embassage.
2. To hold in honor, pay respect to.
c. 1425. Eng. Conq. Ireland, 93. The Pepil of the londe manshiply hym sholde vp-take, and worthy as lorde.
