Forms, see the vb. [f. next: cf. Fr. estime (perh. the source), Sp., Pg. estima, It. stima.]
† 1. a. Estimate, valuation, in phr. To make an esteem. b. Estimated value, valuation. c. To put, set (an) esteem, a high, low esteem upon: to set a value upon, cause to be esteemed (highly, etc.).
a. 1528. Skelton, Vox Populi, 672. Of the substance of your realme … I wyll make an esteame.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, V. iii. 1. We lost a Iewell of her, and our esteeme Was made much poorer by it.
1660. Webster & Rowley, Cure for Cuckold, II. ii. I will deliver you in ready Coin the full and dearest esteem of what you crave.
1662. J. Bargrave, Pope Alex. VII. (1867), 123. But they put an esteem upon them, and I [was] made pay dear for them.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low-C. Warrs, 677. Here may be a Reason why valiant men should set a light esteem thereon.
a. 1672. Wilkins, Nat. Relig. (1676), 362–3. And every one who will act rationally, not miscalling good evil, and evil good, must proportion his esteem of things, according to the real value of them.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 21.
| The World, that never sets Esteem | |
| On what Things are, but what they seem. |
2. Estimation, opinion, judgment. Somewhat arch.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., II. i. 4. Yourself, held precious in the worlds esteeme.
1640. Fuller, Joseph’s Coat, viii. (1867), 185. The good esteem which foreigners have conceived of the piety and learning of the Geneva ministers.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 328. Our Foe … affronts us with his foul esteem Of our integritie.
1675. Traherne, Chr. Ethicks, ii. 19. Perfect Righteousness is a full and adequate Esteem of all the value that is in Things.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., vi. (1852), 162. In the Divine esteem, the law was not more excellent after than before atonement.
3. Favorable opinion; regard; respect. In (much) esteem: in favor. (obs. or arch.)
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 1. [It] deserueth certainly much respect and esteeme.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., Pref. Verse, A 2 b. A Camoyse Saddle-nose is in esteem.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, VI. 396/1161 (J.). Who can see, Without esteem for virtuous Poverty, Severe Fabritius. Ibid. (1700), Fables, Pref. Both those poets lived in much esteem with good and holy men in orders.
1738–9. W. Richardson, in Swift’s Lett. (1768), IV. 219. I am ever, dear Sir, with the highest esteem and respect [etc.].
1800. T. Cogan, Philos. Treat. Passions, II. iii. 151. Esteem is the commencement of affection.
1823. Lamb, Elia (1867), 43. Whist had engaged her maturer esteem.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess. Self-Reliance, Wks. (Bohn), I. 37. They measure their esteem of each other by what each has, and not by what each is.
1861. Geo. Eliot, Silas M., 59. He was banished for ever from the sight and esteem of Nancy Lammeter.
† 4. Account, worth; reputation; also, Man, etc., of (great, etc.) esteem. Obs.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, 179. I hold them of none extyme.
1483. Caxton, Esope (E.E.T.S.), 144. Of the which wordes the labourer made lytyl extyme.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., III. iv. 8. Fiue hundred Prisoners of esteeme. Ibid., V. v. 27. Your Highnesse is betroath’d Vnto another Lady of esteeme.
1604. Rowlands, Looke to It, 42. Earth’s delightes shall be of no esteeme.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 106. A dreaming Oracle, long time of diuine Æsteam among them.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. iii. 158. Others (who would sooner creep into a scabbard then draw a sword) boast of their robberies, to usurp the esteem of valour.
1673. Temple, Observ. United Prov., ii. 108. Men … who have passed through most of the Employments of State with the esteem of Prudence and Integrity.
1712. Hearne, Collect. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.), III. 311. Whatsoever is of any Esteem with Men.
1762. J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., iv. (1763), 44. The Profession of Bard or Musician would be held … of high Esteem.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., II. 90. All these were of precious esteem, being family reliques.
