Thewed

ppl. a. Also 2 þeaud, 3–4 þeu(e)d, 3 i-þæwed, i-þeuwed. [Orig. pa. pple. of THEW v., but app. often treated as f. THEW sb.¹ + -ED².]

  † 1.  Trained, instructed in morals or manners; having qualities or manners (of a specified kind). Chiefly in compounds, as ill-thewed, WELL-THEWED, etc., -mannered, -conditioned, -natured.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 41. Þe wise man and þat wel þeaud child habbeð boðe on laȝe.

c. 1205.  Lay., 6536. He wes swiðe soðfest and swiðc wel iðæwed [c. 1275 i-þeuwed].

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Compl. Mars, 180. My lady is … so wel fortuned and thewed That thorow the worlde her goodnesse is yshewed.

c. 1440.  Pallad. on Husb., IV. 856. [Foals] So thewed that from high quyete & reste Anoon they may be stered forto prike.

1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 150. Men … full of vicis, ryotous and evil thewit.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. vi. 26. Yet would not seeme so rude, and thewed ill As to despise so curteous seeming part. Ibid. (1596), Hymne in Hon. Beautie, 138. A beauteous soule, with faire conditions thewed.

  † b.  spec. Having good qualities or manners.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8425. Þe child is theud [v.rr. theued, þewed] and mild o mode, Lok þat he haf maister god. Ibid. (13[?].), 27632 (Fairf.). If þou be þewed al-so curtaise, Þen atte first I wille þe praise.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 733. A.a.! blessed be þow,… so boner & þewed.

[a. 1602.  ? Marston, Pasquil & Kath., III. 16. Nay, good Thewte hart: good kind Iacke, stay.]

  2.  Having thews or muscles (of a specified kind).

1864.  Webster, s.v., A well-thewed limb.

1865.  Swinburne, Chastelard, I. ii. 34. Do you know that lord With sharp-set eyes? and him with huge thewed throat? Ibid., IV. i. 116. You have a heart thewed harder than my heart.

1881.  C. de Kay, Vis. Nimrod, iv. 71. A fearful beast … Amazing thewed, with fourfold plate-like horns.