lithen

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈlaɪðən/

Etymology 1

From Middle English *lithnien, equivalent to lithe + -en.

Verb

lithen (third-person singular simple present lithens, present participle lithening, simple past and past participle lithened)

  1. (archaic) To make lithe, soften; to ease, mitigate
    • 1874, Emma Robinson, Cæsar Borgia:
      “Nay, daughter, when thou art as old as Notte it will be time enough to reckon years!” returned the dark-skinned sybil, lithening the stiff folds of a viper in a blue oil, which cast out a noisome perfume as she stirred it.
    • 1914, Mary Johnston, Sir Mortimer, page 278:
      " [] I only know that for well-nigh all the stricken he hath lithened the fever, and that he hath recalled to life many an one whom the chirurgeon had given over to the chaplain."

Etymology 2

From lithe (a mixture of oatmeal and water) + -en.

Verb

lithen (third-person singular simple present lithens, present participle lithening, simple past and past participle lithened)

  1. (dialectal) To thicken a broth or gravy with a thickening agent (e.g. flour, oatmeal, etc.)
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