or merry-begotten, subs. (old).—A bastard: cf. quot. 1377.—GROSE (1785). For synonyms, see BLOODY ESCAPE, etc.
c. 1377. LANGTOFT, Chronicle [BRUNNE (1725), p. 50].
| Knoute of his body gate sonnes þre, | |
| Tuo bi tuo wifes, þe þrid in jolifte [in jollity]. |
1890. HALL CAINE, The Bondman, i. ch. 6. Maybe you think it wise to bring up your daughter with the MERRY-BEGOT of any ragabash that comes prowling along from goodness knows where.
