Obs. exc. arch. See also FAMOSE v. [f. prec. adj.]
1. trans. To make famous. † a. To render celebrated, earn celebrity for (obs.). b. Of a writer, etc.: To celebrate (arch.).
1590. Lodge, Euphues’ Gold. Leg., in Halliwell, Shaks., VI. 11. To famous that house that never hath bin found without men approoved in chivalrie, shewe thy resolution to be peremptorie.
1622. Peacham, Compl. Gentl., 74. The wooden dove of Archytas, so famoused … by Agellius.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 508. This Empire was famoused, and enlarged by an eminent King, which was Alexander the Great, who is set forth by that notable horne, which arose betweene the eyes of this Grecian goate.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 465. He [William Thorne] was reputed eminent, not only for his incomparable skill in Oriental Sacred Tongues by men unmatchable in them (worthily famoused on this side, and beyond the Sea) but also for other learning.
1873. Lowell, Among my Bks., Ser. II. 306. The stories he [Keats] told them of the heroic uncle, whose deeds, we may be sure, were properly famoused by the boy Homer.
† 2. To cause to be generally reputed for. Obs.
1614–15. W. Browne, Inner Temple Masque, 26.
| From whose continuall store such pooles are fed, | |
| As in the land for seas are famoused. |
1615. T. Adams, Two Sonnes, 75. Our eldest, whom we have famoused for our sole and entire heirs.
Hence Famoused ppl. a.; Famousing vbl. sb.
1606. Ford, Honor Tri. (1843), 15. This is that famoused trophy which Philip would have his son Alexander in the games of Olympus to wrestle for.
1607. Rowlands, The Famous History of Guy Earle of Warwicke, 5.
| We toyl so much in other Nations praise, | |
| That we neglect the famousing of our own. |
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 50. Part of their Religion consists in invocating holy Men famoused for vertue.
