n. A situation, especially a bad or unfortunate one. See Synonyms at predicament. [Middle English, alteration (influenced by plight, risky promise or pledge) of plit, fold, wrinkle, situation, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin plicitum, neuter past participle of plicāre, to fold; see plek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
tr.v. plight·ed, plight·ing, plights 1. To promise or bind by a solemn pledge, especially to betroth. 2. To give or pledge (one's word or oath, for example). n. Idiom: A solemn pledge, as of faith. plight (one's) troth 1. To become engaged to marry. 2. To give one's solemn oath. [Middle English plighten, from Old English plihtan, to endanger, put at risk, from pliht, danger, risk; see dlegh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] plighter n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.