deeden?

[Douglas G. Wilson]

>In a 1768 broadside poem on Pope's Day, "he" being the (effigy of the) pope:
>
>If that his deeden Self could see Himself so turn'd to Fun: In Rage
>He'd tear out his Pope's Eyes, and scratch his Rev'rend bum.
>
>Is "deeden" a ppl. adj. of dee (v) = damned?  OED2 sense b.

I don't know, but here's my alternative speculation.

Maybe "deeden" is equivalent to "deedy" = "actual" (sense 2 in my
OED). This would fit the poem, I think. Google Books provides a
single contemptible null-entry which may be pertinent (search
"deeden-name" or "deeden-lady").

-- Doug Wilson


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