v. Also 6 enbolden, -bowlden, 6–7 emboulden, -bowlden. [f. EN-, IN- + BOLD + -EN.] trans. To render bold or more bold; to hearten, encourage.
α. 1571. Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1633), 2. Ep. Ded. I am embouldned to present them to your Lordships patronage.
1583. T. Stocker, Tragicall Hist., I. 199 b. We … are enboldened to exhibite a certeine supplication.
1597. J. Payne, Royal Exch., 46. He enbowldeneth the erringe hart to suffer for error.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 434. Thus I embold’nd spake.
1709. Addison, Tatler, No. 100, ¶ 4. Their Aspects were so … emboldened with Resolution.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. iii. 403. The Bombay Presidency were more emboldened in their importunity.
1860. Macaulay, Biog. (1867), 88. The affronts which his poverty emboldened … low-minded men to offer to him.
β. 1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1589), 218. Ambition … imboldeneth [the son] to seeke his destruction of whom he holdeth his life.
1621. G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., X. (1626), 201.
| Their lookes imboldned, modestie now gone, | |
| Conuert at length to little-differing Stone. |
1741. Richardson, Pamela, III. 231. Whether … my Look, my Dress, my Appearance … imbolden such an affrontive Insolence.
1854. J. Abbott, Napoleon (1855), I. xxv. 406. The … inconvenience of imboldening … the foes of the consular government.
Hence Emboldener, one who or that which emboldens. Emboldening vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1847. Craig, Emboldener.
1883. Stevenson, Treasure Isl., I. iv. 30. Argument is … a great emboldener.
1503. Act 19 Hen. VII., c. 10. Small fines have been … set to the … great emboldening of the said Offenders.
1575. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 364. Another imboldeninge of evill persons.
1628. Wither, Brit. Rememb., III. 248/78. But, rather, lesse imboldning then before.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (ed. 3), I. v. 297. There was nothing … but … emboldening of their foes.
