Forms: 4–6 enem-, enmyte(e, ennemite, -yte, 4 enmit(y)e, 5 enymyte, 6 enem-, enimitie, ennimitie, enim-, inimity, 6– enmity. [ad. OF. enemistié, ennemistié (Fr. inimitié), = Pr. enemistat, Sp. enemistad:—late L. *inimīcitāt-em, f. inimīcus: see ENEMY.]
1. The disposition or the feelings characteristic of an enemy; ill-will, hatred.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4078 (Gött.). Ne wald þai neuer apon him se, Fra þat day bot wid enmite [Trin. enemyte].
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 301. For enemyte þat þei han to a man.
1483. Caxton, Cato, I viii b. For enymyte and hate are contrary to frendship and concorde.
1535. Coverdale, Isa. xi. 13. The hatred of Ephraim, and ye enmyte of Iuda shalbe clene rooted out.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot. (1885), 92. The … inimity borne toward thair parents to instil in the hartes of thair barnes.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 431. Can … works of love or enmity fulfill.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ., Riddle (1778), II. 115. A man who values a good night’s rest will not lie down with enmity in his heart, if he can help it.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 353. He hated me, and his enmity was shared by several who were present.
2. The condition of being an enemy; a state of mutual hostility; esp. in phrase at or in enmity.
a. 1400[?]. Chester Pl. (1843–7), 31. And enmitye betwene you towe … I shall make.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 379/3. By cause there shold noo debate ne enemyte falle betwene the brethren.
1580. North, Plutarch (1612), 504. So ciuill and temperate were mens enmities at that time.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. ii. 68. I will dispaire, and be at enmitie With couzening hope.
1602. Segar, Hon. Mil. & Civ., I. iii. 4. When the Romanes were divided, one faction labouring to oppresse another … such enimitie was called Sedition.
1611. Bible, James iv. 4. Ye adulterers, and adulteresses, know yee not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
1667. Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 479. It will prevent much trouble by having of him out of their enmity.
1693. Locke, Educ., 178 (J.). In an Age at enmity with all such restraint.
1837. Ht. Martineau, Soc. Amer., III. 188. The growing enmity of opinion to the punishment of death.
1845. Stephen, Laws Eng. (1874), II. 407. Provided their parents were not at the time in enmity with our sovereign.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 581. The adventures, the attachments, the enmities of the lords and ladies who [etc.].
b. transf.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. IV. ix. 300. That system of patronage … is at irreconcilable enmity with the very principle of good government.
† c. To be of (a person’s) enmity: to be at enmity with (him). Obs.
1641. W. Hakewil, Lib. of Subject, 123. All Merchants Denizens and Forreins (except those which be of our enmitie) may [etc.].
† 3. Something that is prejudicial; a baneful influence. Obs.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), IV. 99. It is grete enemyte [inimicissimum] to werriours forto norsche sleuþe and leccherie.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 4. A fortunat assendent clepen they whan … no wikkid planete haue non aspecte of enemyte up-on the assendent.
c. 1470. Harding, Chron., liii. i. The water myght not the enemytee Kepe of [warre] from his trewe Britayn lande.
1605. Shaks., Lear, II. iv. 212. I abiure all roofes, and chuse To wage against the enmity oth’ayre.
