arch. [f. as prec. + PLIGHT v.1] trans. To plight one’s troth to; to engage, or engage oneself to, in order to marriage; to betroth, affiance: = TROTH v. + In quot. 1470–85, to plight one’s troth, engage (to do something).
[1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 8363. Ȝyf þou a womman trouþe plyght.]
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 504/1. Trutheplytyn (K., S. truplytyn, P. trouthplityn), affido, C. F.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VII. xxii. 247. And thenne they trouth-plyte eche other to loue, and neuer to faylle whyles their lyfe lasteth.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 676. Fraunceys,… whose doughter … Maximylian had before trouth plyted for his lawfull wyfe.
1601. Munday, Downfall Robt. Earl of Huntington, I. ii. A iv b. Marian, daughter to Lord Lacy, Is troth-plighted to wastfull Huntington.
1825. Scott, Betrothed, xxix. Not married, perhaps, but engaged—troth-plighted.
1878. Susan Phillips, On Seaboard, 75. Hand in hand, Troth-plighted, we two heard the midnight chime.
So † Troth-plighting, the action of plighting troth, engagement, betrothal: = TROTH-PLIGHT sb.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 52. Þowȝ non othe be made, ne trewthe plyȝtyng, ne no fleschly knowyng, ne no wytnes be þere.
c. 1477. Caxton, Jason, 127. The fyansialles and trouthplighting of Iason and Creusa.
1530. Palsgr., 283/1. Trouth plyghtyng, fianceailles.
