a. Also 5–6 -iouse, -yous(e, 6 -ius. [ad. F. commodieux, -euse (15th c. in Godef.), med.L. commodiōs-us (Du Cange), an irregular formation on L. commodum convenient, a convenience, as if there had been a L. *commodia, like perfidia, etc. Cf. L. perfidus, perfidiosus, F. perfide, Eng. perfidious.]
† 1. Advantageous, beneficial, profitable, of use.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., II. 149. Lande argillose … Ys commodiouse.
1523. Act 14 & 15 Hen. VIII., c. 3. Worstedes, saies, and stamins … bene right acceptable and commodious marchaundises.
1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl., 139. There [in Shetland] is nothing the whyche is commodious nor pleasaunt, except fyshe.
1591. W. Clowes, Treat. Lues Venerea (1637), 206. A very commodious plaister devised by Master John Hall.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 155, ¶ 3. When a position teems … with commodious consequences.
† b. Const. to (unto), for.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., XII. 177. The pyne unto all thing under sowe Is commodious.
1532–3. Act 24 Hen. VIII., c. 9. A good … ordinance … right commodious for the publike weale of this realme.
c. 1534. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden Soc.), I. 20. Drincke bothe commodius and pleasaunt to them which are accustomed thereunto.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb. (1586), I. 33. A Pulse … that is most commodious for man and beast.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. ii. (1660), 101. Very necessary and commodious to be inserted in this place.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. iv. 14. No way commodious unto us.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, I. iv. § 455. Virtues which are most commodious to ourselves and others.
2. Convenient, serviceable, handy. arch.
1549. (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Pref. An ordre for praier … more profitable and commodious, then that whiche of late was vsed … more commodious … for that the rules be fewe & easy.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., 5. For spede and more commodious calculation.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., II. 137. His commodious Solution of Difficulties.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 2, ¶ 1. This practice is a commodious subject of raillery to the gay. Ibid. (1781), L. P., Pope, Wks. IV. 23. An edition equally cheap and more commodious.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., p. i. A work … commodious in form.
b. Const. for (to, obs.).
c. 1560. Ingelend, Disob. Child, in Hazl., Dodsley, II. 271. I cannot invent A way more commodious to my judgment.
1684. R. Waller, Nat. Exper. Quick-silver … is much more commodious for the Experiment.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 208. This Tool is most commodious to serve you.
1725. Pope, Odyss., IV. 549. That recess, commodious for surprize.
1814. Scott, Wav., xlvi. By this way the … general had chosen to approach … as most commodious for his cavalry.
† 3. Occurring conveniently; opportune. Obs.
1609. Bible (Douay), 2 Macc. xiv. 5. Having gotten a commodious time for his madnes.
1750. trans. Leonardus’ Mirr. Stones, 130. Thieves seize on goods by the commodious flight of their owners.
† 4. Of persons: Accommodating. Obs.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. ii. 197. The Parrot will not doe more for an Almond, then he for a commodious drab.
5. Serviceable or convenient for accommodation, shelter, or the like: a. with for, to. arch.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 9. Places which were very commodius for the enemies.
1611. Bible, Acts xxvii. 12. The hauen was not commodious to winter in.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 36. England lying so commodious for Navigation.
1759. De Foe’s Tour Gt. Brit., II. 367. The Isle of Caldey … safe and commodious for Men of War.
b. absol. Furnishing good and ample accommodation; conveniently roomy, spacious. Now the usual sense.
[1494. Fabyan, VII. 414. The orcharde … whiche was passyng commodious and pleasaunt, they defacyd.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, i. 233. To alter olde buyldyng in-to commodyous and pleasaunt buyldynge.]
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 21. This Malaccha hath a goodly and commodious hauen.
1786. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 3. One of the safest and most commodious ports in the world.
1797. Bewick, Brit. Birds (1847), I. p. xix. These commodious dwellings.
1846. McCulloch, Acc. Brit. Empire (1854), I. 559. A farm … furnished with commodious buildings.
† 6. Said of life, living: Endowed with conveniences, comfortable. Obs.
1550. in Strype, Eccl. Mem., II. I. xxvii. 222. Things needful, for the commodious living of his natural subjects.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xiii. 63. Desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living.
1663. Cowley, Verses & Ess. (1669), 84. My life … is a great deal more easie and commodious than thine.
