[pa. pple. of BUY, which see for forms.]
a. Purchased; freq. in comb. dear-bought (cf. dere abought under ABYE). Bought-book: (Comm.) a book for keeping an account of bought goods. b. fig. (see senses of BUY) Ransomed, gained by a sacrifice; also bribed, etc. † Bought plea: a groundless accusation.
1599. Porter, Angry Wom. Abingt. (1841), 104. Tis an olde prouerbe … bought wit is the best.
1636. Rutherford, Lett., lxxv. (1862), I. 193. This was but a bought plea and I was a fool.
1646. Crashaw, Delights of Muses (1652), 134. More than … a bought blush, or a set smile.
1700. Dryden, Palamon & Arc., 1687. Bought senates and deserting troops are mine.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, ii. Wks. VIII. 230. Dear-bought advantages.
1849. Freese, Comm. Class-bk., 101. The Bought, or, Bills of Parcels Book, into which are entered the particulars of all goods bought.
