Cheap"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cheapened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cheapening.] [OE. cheapien, chepen, to trade, buy, sell, AS. ce�xa0;pian; akin to D. koopen to buy, G. kaufen, Icel. kaupa, Goth. kaupon to trade. Cf. Chap to bargain.]

1.

To ask the price of; to bid, bargain, or chaffer for.

[Obsoles.]

Pretend to cheapen goods, but nothing buy. Swift.

2. [Cf. Cheap, a.]

To beat down the price of; to lessen the value of; to depreciate.

Pope.

My proffered love has cheapened me. Dryden.

 

© Webster 1913.