[f. prec. Cf. It. sonettare.]
1. intr. To compose sonnets; to sonnetize.
1589. G. Harvey, Pierce’s Super., I. (1593), 48. When Elderton began to ballat, Gascoine to sonnet, Turberuile to madrigal.
1597. Bp. Hall, Sat., I. i. (1602), 1. Nor list I Sonnet of my Mistresse face.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 467. Loue was such a Lord ouer me, as I … sonnetted when hee inspired mee with it.
1658. J. Slator, in R. Franck, North. Mem. (1821), p. xlviii. And in delightful tones sit sonneting.
1875. Tennyson, Q. Mary, II. i. Come, now, you’re sonnetting again.
2. trans. † a. To fill with sonnets. Obs. rare.
1592. Nashe, P. Penilesse, Wks. (Grosart), II. 27. Hee will … sonnet a whole quire of paper in praise of Lady Swin-snout.
b. To celebrate in a sonnet or sonnets.
1598. F. Meres, Palladis Tamia, II. 280 b. Daniel hath diuinely sonetted the matchlesse beauty of his Delia.
1887. St. James’s Gaz., 14 Feb. (Cassell). They sonneted her.
1904. ‘S. G. Tallentyre,’ Voltaire, I. vi. 83. He sonneted his hostess now.
c. With out: To utter in sonnets. rare–1.
1610. G. Fletcher, Christ’s Vict., II. lxii. The birds sweet notes, to sonnet out their joyes.
Sonnet: see SENNET1.
