v. Obs. Also 5 ennoblessh, 7 enoblish. [ad. F. ennobliss- lengthened stem of ennoblir: see ENNOBLE.] trans. = ENNOBLE in various senses; also, to distinguish by favors or gifts.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 219/2. He ennoblesshed seynt John to fore al other with the swetnes of his famyliarite.
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, 16 b. Because they … ennoblish their owne Houses, whereof they descended.
1582. Bentley, Mon. Matrones, II. 16. That I so vile a creature, am so ennoblished by thee to so honourable an husband.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 75. These streames and barges do ennoblish very much the City, and make it … seeme another Venice.
1600. Dymmok, Ireland (1843), 37. His other acts haue enoblished him for a most worthy soldior.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, I. ii. (1660), 14. To persons ennoblished by the Soveraign, by precious Stones.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., Irel. II. 94. To augment his honour by more enoblishing him with honourable Armes.
1630. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw., 402. Ennoblished it [Saros Patak] is besides with the greatest College belonging to the reformed religion in all these parts.
Hence † Ennoblishment, Obs. = ENNOBLEMENT.
1591. (title) A Reuocation of all such Letters for Ennoblishment, as haue not been verified in the Chamber of accountes of Normandy.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 175. He that hath obtained such letters of ennoblishment is enabled to be dubbed knight.
