Obs. [f. CRAFT sb.]
1. trans.? To attain, win. rare.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 2. Onnethe creft eny that stat, Ac some crefteth that halve. Ibid., 157. God made mannes schefte, That ylke loȝ al for to crafte.
2. ? To make or devise skilfully. rare.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., I. 428. Have a cisterne … Let crafte it up pleasaunt as it may suffice.
3. intr. To use crafty devices, act craftily.
1526–55. [see CRAFTING].
1530. Palsgr., 500/2. I se by that thou doest but crafte with me.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 257. Whill that the Quein begane to craft.
1587. Gascoigne, Hearbes, etc. Wks. 82. And canst thou craft to flatter such a frende?
4. nonce-use. To exercise one’s craft, make a job of it.
1607. Shaks., Cor., IV. vi. 118. You haue made faire hands, You and your Crafts, you have crafted faire.
Craft, -er, Sc. dial. f. CROFT, -ER.
