PLIGHT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does plight mean? 

• PLIGHT (noun)
  The noun PLIGHT has 2 senses:

1. a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

2. a solemn pledge of fidelity

  Familiarity information: PLIGHT used as a noun is rare.

• PLIGHT (verb)
  The verb PLIGHT has 2 senses:

1. give to in marriage

2. promise solemnly and formally

  Familiarity information: PLIGHT used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLIGHT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

plight; predicament; quandary

Context example:

the woeful plight of homeless people

Hypernyms ("plight" is a kind of...):

difficulty (a condition or state of affairs almost beyond one's ability to deal with and requiring great effort to bear or overcome)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "plight"):

care (a cause for feeling concern)

box; corner (a predicament from which a skillful or graceful escape is impossible)

hot water (a dangerous or distressing predicament)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A solemn pledge of fidelity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

plight; troth

Hypernyms ("plight" is a kind of...):

assurance; pledge (a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something)

Derivation:

plight (promise solemnly and formally)

• PLIGHT (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give to in marriage

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

affiance; betroth; engage; plight

Hypernyms (to "plight" is one way to...):

vow (make a vow; promise)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Promise solemnly and formally

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

pledge; plight

Context example:

I pledge that I will honor my wife

Hypernyms (to "plight" is one way to...):

assure; promise (make a promise or commitment)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "plight"):

vow (make a vow; promise)

guarantee; vouch (give surety or assume responsibility)

covenant (enter into a covenant or formal agreement)

covenant (enter into a covenant)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

plight (a solemn pledge of fidelity)

 Context examples 

Though unpursued, they were in a sorry plight.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

His plight was desperate for him to do this, for it cut him off from Ruth.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

In this plight, and with a strong consciousness of it, I waited to introduce myself to, and make my first impression on, my formidable aunt.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Then I bethought me of my dear Madam Mina, and I was in terrible plight.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Poor devil, how could I be angry when I saw him lying in such a plight before me?

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She was in very good spirits, however, and made quite merry in accepting our plight as a grave one.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

This was the man-animal's justice; and even then, in his own pitiable plight, White Fang experienced a little grateful thrill.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Meanwhile the miser crept out of the bush half-naked and in a piteous plight, and began to ponder how he should take his revenge, and serve his late companion some trick.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

I thank heaven that my compunction at leaving poor Staunton all alone in this plight caused me to turn my carriage back and so to make your acquaintance.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Your plight was better than mine, Sir Cuthbert,” said a voice from behind us, and a large man in the full uniform of a post-captain took a step forward to include himself in our circle.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)