Obs. rare. In 5 cristenhede, -hode. [f. CHRISTEN a.; see -HOOD, -HEAD. OE. *cristenhád has not been found, but cf. OS. cristinhêd, OHG. christinheit, MHG. kristenheit: app. the derivative in -dóm was more favored in England, and that in -haid on the continent.]
a. Christianity; b. Christening; c. A Christian domain or estate.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. xii. Convertid fro Jewry into Cristenhode.
c. 1470. Harding, Chron. xcj. 3 (Selden MS.). Edwyns doughtor … At Yorke was borne; to whom men did complexe Maidons twelue to take þe cristenhede.
1762. trans. Busching’s Syst. Geog., IV. 543. Twenty decanates, or provincial deanries, which from old have been styled Christenhoods (Ger. Christenheiten).
