doughty English · revision 833

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdaʊti/ ''(UK)''; /ˈdaʊti/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|doughti]], earlier ''duhti'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[inh|ang|dohtiġ|t=competent, valiant]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) an alteration, influenced by ''dohte'', past tense of ''dugan'' “to be fit, be worthy”, of earlier ''dyhtiġ'' “strong”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) It goes back to Proto-Germanic ''*duhtiz-'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) and is cognate with Middle Dutch ''duchtich'' and German ''tüchtig'' “capable, efficient”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The ultimate source is a PIE root meaning “to be fit, be of use”, which also gave Greek ''teukhein'' “to make ready” and German ''Tugend'' “virtue”.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of persons, able, worthy, valiant (1030);^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995) of actions and other things, before 1000.^(OED 1989) The form ''dyhtig'' appears about 725, in ''Beowulf''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The early meanings were “capable, worthy, virtuous” as well as “brave”.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) The word grew rare after the 17th century, and since about 1800 it has been used in a deliberately archaic or mock-heroic way, often humorously.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Etymonline notes that if it had stayed in living use its modern form would be ''dighty''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * about 725 – ''dyhtig'', able, strong (Beowulf).^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1030 – ''dohtig'', of persons, valiant.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1420 – as a noun, men of valour (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1800 – archaic and mock-heroic use.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Marked by stouthearted [[courage]] and fearless resolve; [[valiant]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Robust or sturdy.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[doughtily]]

+ * [[doughtiness]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}