Obs. Also 6 feditee, 7 fœdity. [ad. L. fœditāt-em, f. fœdus foul: see -ITY.]
1. Foulness, impurity, loathsomeness, whether moral or physical.
1542. Udall, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 6. Xenocrates … began sumwhat to declare of the feditee of riot and drunkeness.
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., I. xi. § 4 (1622), 116. All these delicacies, that are sought so carefully, and sawc’t so daintily, when they come into the belly, they are wrapt vp together, in one and the same fœdity.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., IV. x. (1654), 375. The fœdity and unnaturalness of the match; when the parties incestuously marry within the first collaterall degree, of Brothers and sisters.
a. 1656. Ussher, Ann. (1658), 342. Being conscious to himself, of the feditie of his own desire, neither attempted any thing upon her.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 186. For the morphew or fedity of the skin, after the emendation of the prave humours, and diminution of blood by purge and phlebotomy, let the body be immerged in the aforesaid Bath.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
2. pl. Foul or disgusting practices.
1539. Latimer, Let., 15 April, in Serm. & Rem. (1845), 417. When comperites doth shew what fedities doth grow.
1640. Bp. Hall, Episc., I. ii. 9. it is fit such an one first renounce his Popish power of sacrificing, and professe to abstaine from all the superstitions and fœdities of the Romish Religion.
1675. J. Smith, Chr. Relig. Appeal, II. 23. Not only charging them with Thefts and Adulteries, but with the devouring of their own Children, gelding their Parents, Incest with their Mothers, and many other fedities.
1755. Bp. Lavington, Moravians compared, 65. Some Fedities common amongst the Gnostics, not fit to be named.
