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Webster 1913 Edition


Rathe

{

Rath

,

Rathe

}
(răth)
,
Adj.
[AS.
hræð
,
hræd
, quick, akin to OHG.
hrad
, Icel.
hraðr
.]
Coming before others, or before the usual time; early.
[Obs. or Poetic]
Bring the
rathe
primrose that forsaken dies.
Milton.
{

Rath

,

Rathe

, }
adv.
Early; soon; betimes.
[Obs. or Poetic]
Why rise ye up so
rathe
?
Chaucer.
Too
rathe
cut off by practice criminal.
Spenser.

Definition 2024


rathe

rathe

See also: raþe

English

Adjective

rathe (comparative more rathe, superlative most rathe)

  1. (poetic) ripening or blooming early.
    • Milton
      Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies.

Etymology 2

From Middle English, from Old English hraþe (quickly), from Proto-Germanic *hraþô (quickly, rapidly), from *hraþaz (quick, rapid). See above.

Adverb

rathe (comparative more rathe, superlative most rathe)

  1. (obsolete) Quickly.
  2. (poetic) Early in the morning.
Derived terms

Anagrams