Obs. Forms: α. 3 fulþhede, 4–5 filth-, filt-, fylthede, -heed, (5 filthet). β. 6 filthood. [f. FILTH sb. + -HEAD, -HOOD.] Filthiness, uncleanness. lit. and fig. Also concr. filth. To do one’s filthhood: to void excrement.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 290. Þe chyld … dude hys kunde fulþ shede.
1382. Wyclif, Lev. xviii. 7. The filth-heed [Vulg. turpitudinem] of thi fader, and the filth-heed of thi moder thow shalt not discover. Ibid., Rom. i. 27. Mawlis in to mawlis worchinge filthhede.
c. 1440. trans. Girald. Hist. Irel. (E.E.T.S.), 31. The fylthede of the lond-folk yn whych thay ladde har lyf.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 52. With dust al powdred, with filthood dustye bedagled.
