Obs. Forms: α. 4 ȝungþe, ȝonkþe, youngþe, -the, 4–5 ȝongþe, -the, yongthe, 4–6 yongth, 5 ȝungth(e, yongith, ȝonþ, 6–7 youngth. β. 4 ȝingþe, ȝyngheth, ȝinkthe. [f. YOUNG a. + -TH.]
1. The state of being young, or period of life when one is young: = YOUTH 1, 2.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 2807. Yn ȝungþe or elde.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 6269. Þe leuedis … hadde wonder of his ȝingþe [rhyme strengþe].
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., xiv. 47 (Harl. MS.). [He] servid god in all the tyme of his yongith.
1531. Elyot, Gov., III. xxii. (1883), II. 343. I haue knowen men of worshippe … whiche durynge their yongth haue dronken for the more parte water.
1590. Spenser, Muiop., 34. The fresh yong flie, in whom the kindly fire Of lustfull youngth began to kindle fast.
1602. Davison, Rhapsody, C 12. Ah Thenot, be not all thy teeth on edge, To see youngths folke to sport in pastimes gay? [After Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 9. Yougthes folke: see YOUTH 4.]
2. Young people collectively: = YOUTH 5.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, cxxi. The goddesse Venus, whiche hath grete power vpon yongthe.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., Pref. **vij. The vnbroken youngth not yet full rype for the serious preceptes of philosophie.
Hence † Youngthed pa. pple., made young; † Youngthly a., pertaining to youth, youthful.
c. 1440. Capgrave, Life St. Kath., III. 126. Hys body is *ȝonthyd [v.r. yongthed], he þinketh hym-self ful lygth.
1602. Davison, Rhapsody, C 11 b. All for he feeles the heate of youngthly dayes.
