Obs. Also 5 fete, feete. [f. the adj. Cf. OF. faitier, FAIT v.2]
1. trans. To equip, furnish, make fit.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 4632. We ere fetid full faire, & hes oure fyue wittis.
1613. P. Forbes, Comm. Revelat., xv. 151. The preachers are feated by swallowing of the little booke. Ibid., 152. These Ministers of the last wrath are feated and prepared to this great execution.
b. To feat oneself forth: to display oneself.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 3989. He feetis him forth in his force · & in his faire hiþte.
2. Falconry. = FEAK v.2 (of which it may be a corruption).
1508. Fisher, Wks. (1876), I. 154. There she [the sparowe] wypeth and feteth her byl.
1575. Turberv., Faulconrie, 120. You must also feate hir beake & cope hir reasonably.
3. ? To constrain to propriety.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., I. i. 49.
| [He] Liu’d in Court | |
| (Which rare it is to do) most prais’d, most lou’d, | |
| A sample to the yongest: to th’more Mature, | |
| A glasse that feated them. |
Hence Feated ppl. a., suited. Feating vbl. sb.
1606. Birnie, Kirk-Buriall, vii. We mumchance and mourgean in such dilicate duilles, better feated for wowing nor woing.
1682. N. O., Boileau’s Lutrin, III. Argt.
| To spight his Foes, yet for all’s Feating, | |
| The proof of th’ Pudding’s seen i’ th’ eating. |
