v. Obs. exc. dial. Also 6–7 boulden. [f. BOLD a. + -EN2.]
1. trans. To make bold, embolden, encourage. refl. To take courage, ‘make bold’ (to do a thing).
1526. Tindale, 1 Cor. viii. 10. Shall not the conscience of hym that is weake be boldened to eate those thynges.
1530. Palsgr., 459/2. It is good to bolden a boye in his youth.
1535. Coverdale, 1 Sam. xiii. 12. I boldened my selfe, & offred a burntofferynge.
1709. Kennet, trans. Erasm. Praise Folly, 46. These … bolden us likewise and spur us on.
2. intr. To take courage, be bold. dial.
1864. Atkinson, Whitby Gloss., ‘Bowden tiv her man! faint heart never won fair lady.’
Hence Boldened ppl. a., Boldening vbl. sb.
1575. Turberv., Bk. Venerie, 182. For the better boldnyng and encouraging of them.
1595. Spenser, Sonn., v. Boldned innocence.
1621. Bolton, Stat. Irel., 333 [Act 11 Eliz.]. The boldening and incouraging of many offendours.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, I. lviii. Wks. (1677), 90. Vice braves it with a boldned face.
