Obs. Forms: 3 sothade, 3–4 -hede, 4 -hed, 7 -head; 4 sotthede, -hed(d, soithede (soþede, 5 soþhede). [f. SOT a. + -HEAD. Cf. LG. sottheit, Du. zotheid.] Folly, foolishness, stupidity; a foolish act.
a. 1200. Vices & Virtues, 67. Ðe wise woreld-mann, he halt michel sothade ðat mann forlate … hus and ham.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1375. Þah heo beo god, me hine may mysfonge, & drawe hine to sothede.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 18235. Bot nu þi sothed wel es kydd. Ibid., 19194. And sua yee sceu all yur sotthedis.
14[?]. Lat.-Eng. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 567. Baburra, Sothede.
1690. Andros Tracts, II. 35. A charge which their most Violent accusers had never yet sothead enough to alledge against them.
