Middle English Dictionary Entry
ā̆-wei interj.
Entry Info
| Forms | ā̆-wei interj. Also awai, owai, awi, awah. |
| Etymology | Cp. the interjections ā & wei (in wei-lā̆-wei). ME wei is from ON and corresp. to OE wā in wā-lā-wā. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Expressing regret or grief: alas!, oh!
Associated quotations
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)25 : Awah, þet he efre wulle þristelechen oðer bi-þenchen mid his fule heorte.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)183 : Awi [L heu], leof ware þu me.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)1538 : A-wæi Corineus! nere þu icoren kempa?
- c1275 Þene latemeste dai (Clg A.9)112 : A wai! þas ilke pine þu hauest me bi-soht.
- a1300 Leuedi sainte (Add 27909)10 : Awai! to late ich was iwar; nuwit me reoweð sore.
- ?a1300 Fiftene toknen (Dgb 86)31 : Awey, þat we sulen ibide Þe serewe þat vs sal bitide.
- ?a1300 Jacob & J.(Bod 652)110 : A wey, þat bitwene breþren ssal be þus muchel onde!
- c1300 Lay.Brut (Otho C.13)7223 : Awei [Clg: wale], þat euere soch man in to helle [solde] gon.
- c1300 SLeg.Marg.(Hrl 2277)36 : Awei, ye euele consilers, wi said ye so.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)815 : A wey [B: O waye], A wey doȝter cordeille, woder ssal ich non fle?
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5046 : Awey, awey [B: wailewai], we sunuol men; Alas vre wrecchede, þat we abbeþ þus god agult.