plight

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: predicamentquandarytrothbetrothengageaffiancepledge

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one“finds himself in a most awkward predicament”“the woeful plight of homeless people”Synonyms: predicamentquandary
  2. a solemn pledge of fidelitySynonyms: troth

Verb (2)

  1. give to in marriageSynonyms: betrothengageaffiance
  2. promise solemnly and formally“I pledge that I will honor my wife”Synonyms: pledge
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Plight \Plight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Plighting.] [AS. plihtan to expose to danger, pliht danger;cf. D. verplichten to oblige, engage, impose a duty, G. verpflichten, Sw. f["o]rplikta, Dan. forpligte. See Plight, n.]

1.To pledge; to give as a pledge for the performance of some act; as, to plight faith, honor, word; -- never applied to property or goods. " To do them plighte their troth." --Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]

He plighted his right hand Unto another love, and to another land.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]
Here my inviolable faith I plight.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.To promise; to engage; to betroth. [1913 Webster]

Before its setting hour, divide The bridegroom from the plighted bride.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]
Plight \Plight\, obs. imp. & p. p. of Plight, to pledge. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Plight \Plight\, obs. imp. & p. p. of Pluck. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Plight \Plight\, v. t. [OE. pliten; probably through Old French, fr. LL. plectare, L. plectere. See Plait, Ply.] To weave; to braid; to fold; to plait.[Obs.] "To sew and plight." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

A plighted garment of divers colors. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Plight \Plight\, n. A network; a plait; a fold; rarely a garment. [Obs.] "Many a folded plight." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Plight \Plight\, n. [OE. pliht danger, engagement, AS. pliht danger, fr. ple['o]n to risk; akin to D. plicht duty, G. pflicht, Dan. pligt. [root]28. Cf. Play.]

1.That which is exposed to risk; that which is plighted or pledged; security; a gage; a pledge. "That lord whose hand must take my plight." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2.[Perh. the same word as plight a pledge, but at least influenced by OF. plite, pliste, ploit, ploi, a condition, state; cf. E. plight to fold, and F. pli a fold, habit, plier to fold, E. ply.] Condition; state; -- risk, or exposure to danger, often being implied; as, a luckless plight. "Your plight is pitied." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

To bring our craft all in another plight— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
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