plight
UK: plaɪt | US: plaɪt
n. a difficult or dangerous situation
n. (archaic) a solemn pledge or promise
plight = pli<fold> + ight<noun suffix>
- pli (from Old English plihtan, meaning "to fold" or "to risk") evolved to imply entanglement or commitment.
- ight (a noun-forming suffix in Old English, often indicating state or condition).
Etymology Origin:
The word "plight" originally meant "pledge" (via Old English plihtan, related to folding one’s hands in oath). Over time, it shifted to signify a "perilous situation," likely from the idea of being "folded into" or trapped by circumstances. The dual meanings reflect a semantic split: one tied to promises (now archaic), the other to adversity.
The refugees faced a dire plight after the natural disaster.
In medieval times, knights took a plight of loyalty to their lords.
She described the plight of endangered species in her speech.
(Archaic) "I plight thee my troth" was a traditional wedding vow.
The documentary highlights the plight of homeless veterans.