v. Obs. Also caldese. [Presumed to be f. Chaldee or Chaldees, with the notion of ‘cheat as an astrologer’; but evidence is lacking.] trans. To cheat, trick, ‘take in.’
1664. Butler, Hud., II. III. 203/1010. He stole your Cloke, and pick’d your pocket, Chews’d, and Caldes’d ye like a Block-head. Ibid. (a. 1680), Rem. (1759), I. 24. Asham’d, that Men so grave and wise Should be chaldes’d by Gnats and Flies.
1697. J. Dennis, Plot & no Plot, I. 2. I caldes’d a Judge while he was taking my Depositions, and I banter’d a Bishop while I was asking him blessing.
