English

Alternative forms

• wydraught

Noun

withdraught ‎(plural withdraughts)

1. (obsolete) Withdrawal [14^th-17^thc.], particularly:
   1. (law, obsolete) Retraxit: a dismissal with prejudice based on a plaintiff's withdrawal of the suit.
   2. (law, obsolete) A fine imposed on plaintiffs for such a dismissal.
2. (obsolete) A place to withdraw to: a private chamber or retreat. [15^th-16^thc.]
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XIX:

     ...the Quene wolde nat suffir her wounded knyghtes to be fro her, but that they were layde in wythdraughtes by hur chambir, uppon beddis and paylattes, that she myght herselff se unto them that they wanted nothynge.

   • 1903, A. W. Pollard (ed.), Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory (1485) , volume II, Bk. XIX, chapter VI:

     Then when season was, they went unto their chambers, but in no wise the queen would not suffer the wounded knights to be from her, but that they were laid within draughts by her chamber, upon beds and pillows, that she herself might see to them, that they wanted nothing.

3. (obsolete) An outhouse: an outbuilding used as a lavatory. [15^th-17^thc.]
4. (obsolete) A sewer or watercourse used for sewerage. [15^th-19^thc.]

Synonyms

• (outhouse): See Wikisaurus:bathroom

References

1. ↑ "withdraught, n." in the Oxford English Dictionary (1928), Oxford: Oxford University Press.