‘property’ as a verb in Shakespeare

I got grumpy the other day when I heard the word “transitioning” and another verbed noun within the span of two sentences. But Shakespeare probably wouldn’t have been so grumpy. From the OED:

property, v
Obs. or rare. 

[f. prec. n.]

  1. trans. To make a ‘property’ or tool of, to use for one’s own ends, to exploit. Obs.

1595 SHAKES. John V. ii. 79, I am too high-borne to be propertied To be a..seruing-man, and Instrument To any Soueraigne State throughout the world. 1758 Herald I. Ded. 5 There must..be a vast fund of stupidity amongst mankind, to make them..be continually property’d away for the interests of a few crafty leaders.

  2. To make one’s own property, to appropriate, to take or hold possession of.

1607 SHAKES Timon I. i. 57 His large Fortune..Subdues and properties to his loue and tendance All sorts of hearts. 1833 T. HOOK Parson’s Dau. I. x, A being like Emmawhose sentiments, whose character, are propertied by the one, one engrossing passion.

  3. To imbue with a property or quality: see PROPERTIED 1.

Posted by Nathan Bierma on 03/17 at 11:30 AM
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