Obs. Also 3 fruðie, 4 south. vreþie, 5 frethe. [OE. friðian, freoðian, f. FRITH sb.1; cf. OFris. frethia, ferdia, OS. frithôn, OHG. (ga-)fridôn, ON. friða (Sw. freda, Da. frede). Cf. FREITH v.]

1

  1.  trans. To keep in peace, make peace with; to secure from disturbance, defend, help, preserve, protect.

2

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., IV. i. § 9. Angunnan þa herȝean & hienan þa þe hie friþian sceoldon.

3

O. E. Chron., an. 921. Þæt hie … eall þæt friþian woldon þæt se cyng friþian wolde.

4

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 15. Eower lond ic wulle friþian.

5

c. 1205.  Lay., 16804. Ȝif … þu me wult fruðien we þe wulleð to teon.

6

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 24133. Þou frith me noght als freind.

7

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 8733. Þeyr buryels he þoughte for to honure Wyþ som þyng þat ay myght dure, & ffryþe þe stede þer þey lay.

8

1340.  Ayenb., 7. Me ssel hine loky and ureþie zo holyliche.

9

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 656. Fannde my fforestez be ffrythede … That nane werreye my wylde.

10

  2.  To free, liberate. Cf. FREITH v.

11

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3094. Bi-sek ȝet god, ðis one siðe, ðat he vs of ðis pine friðe.

12

1470.  Hardyng, Chron., CLXIX. v. Then was Vmfrey erle of Herford frethed clene, And enterchaungid for Kyng Robertes wife.

13