v. Obs. Forms: 3 afeite, afyght(e, 3–4 afaite, afayte, 4–5 affayte, affaite. [a. OFr. afaitie-r, afaite-r, afeite-r, to prepare, dispose, train, fashion:—L. affectā-re, freq. of afficĕre to move, touch, incline, f. af- = ad- to + facĕre to do, make. Afaite is thus an early doublet of AFFECT. In 14th c. the pref. a- was refashioned as af- in Fr. and Eng.]
1. To affect, influence, incline, dispose, in any way.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 284. Ȝif eni is þet naueð nout þe heorte þus afeited.
1340. Ayenb., 75. Þe wel louiynde of gentil herte and affayted.
2. To bring into any shape, to fashion, mold; to adapt or prepare to or for a purpose.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 284. Þuruh so monie duntes … so swuðe ueire afeited.
1340. Ayenb., 212. Wordes afaited and y-sliked ueleuold.
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 113. He had affaited his lusty tales. Ibid., III. 22. His cokes ben for him affaited. Ibid., III. 234. He hath gere at home inough Affaited at his owne heste.
3. To fit out, array, dress.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, b i. They affayted and arayed the doughter the best wyse they myȝt.
4. To train (hawks, hounds, etc., to obedience); hence, to tame.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 6583. Delfyns they nymeth, and cokedrill, And afyghteth, to heore wille.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. VI. 32. And go affaite þe faucones · wild foules to kille.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 84. The yonge whelpe, which is affaited.
5. To reduce, subject, subdue.
1297. R. Glouc., 179. To Yrlond he gan wende, Vor to afayty þat lond, & to wynne ech ende.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 111. The man the hym wole afayty Of prede that hys so heȝ.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIV. 296. It affaiteth þe flesshe · fram folyes ful manye.
6. To affect with disease.
1475. Caxton, Jason, 17. Arte thou he that arte affayted with the blanche feures for cause of my right redoubted lady.
