Obs. For forms cf. CAITIFF. [a. OF. caitivetet (mod.F. chétiveté):—L. captīvitāt-em captivity, f. captīvus captive.]

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  1.  Captivity.

2

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 23626. Þe gode … sal liue in fredom fre, þe wicked … euer in caitiuete.

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1382.  Wyclif, Ephes. iv. 8. He styȝinge into hiȝ, ledde caitifte caytif. Ibid., Isa., Prol. The ten lynages led in to caitiftie.

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  2.  Wretchedness, misery.

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a. 1300.  Cursor M., 7353. Wit caitiuete and care He sal vte o þis werld fare.

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c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 455. My moder has consayved me In syn and in caytefte.

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1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. X. 255. The cause of al þys caitifte · comeþ of meny bisshopes.

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  3.  Vileness, wicked baseness.

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a. 1300.  Cursor M., 22382. Quen þat ilk warlau bridd [antecrist] his caitiute has tua yeir kidd.

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