[f. LADY sb.]
† 1. trans. To make a lady of; to raise to the rank of a lady; to address as ‘lady.’ Obs.
1607. Marston, What You Will, I. i. Wks. 1887, II. 337. Iaco. Nay, sir, her estimation’s mounted up. She shall be ladied and sweet-madam’d now. Ran. Be ladied? Ha! ha!
1614. W. B., Philosopher’s Banquet (ed. 2), A iij b. Widowes with their heapes of hourded gold, That would be Ladied though a month to hold.
† b. To render lady-like or feminine. Obs.
1656. W. Montague, Accompl. Wom., 121. It is to be feared that Ladies too Chevaliere, are beyond modesty: Men too much Ladyed, are short of Manhood.
2. intr. To lady it: to play the lady or mistress. (Cf. to lord it, queen it.) rare.
1600. Breton, Pasquil’s Mad-cappe, 27. A Iacke will be a Gentleman And mistris Needens Lady it at least.
a. 1638. Mede, Wks., I. (1672), 140. That great seven-hilled City still Ladies it over the Nations of the Earth.
1868. W. Cory, Lett. & Jrnls. (1897), 252. My lawn with a single harebell ladying it over the grass.
