Middle English Dictionary Entry
thwert adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | thwert adj. Also thwerte, thwart, thurt(e, twart(e, twort, (?error) twhert. |
| Etymology | ON: cp. OI þvert, neuter of þverr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. overthwert adj.
1.
(a) Crosswise, transverse; oblique ~, aslant, to one side [could also be construed as thwert adv.]; (b) ~ barres, horizontal window bars that run from jamb to jamb, stay-bars; ~ path, a cross path; ~ saue, a crosscut saw; ~ tol, a customary toll on goods conveyed between certain points; weies ~, ?byways, bypaths;—used fig.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)127b/b : Strabosite is tortuose seyng & oblique thwert [Ch.(2): a croked or aside lokynge of þe sighte]: Humour cristalline is obliquate & transposed..bi sewyng al þe eie ouþer to þe sidez ouþer to þe vpper partiez or to þe nyþer.
- (1447-8) Shillingford87 : Atte two endys of whiche gardynes..ys a walle thurte and buttyng a yenst the Towne Walle and a posterne yeate therynne.
b
- (1377) Inquis.PM Edw.III14.333 : [The extent includes..tolls called] thorowtoll [and] thwerttoll.
- (1377) in Salzman Building in Engl.292 : Thurtbarres [made for windows].
- (1398-9) Doc.Manor in MP 3441 : Thwertpath.
- (1404) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.100396 : Item, in custodia Carpentarii..3 twhertsawes, 2 handsawes.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)217/6450 : Hye not to fast, parde, ye gon amys; Leue wayes twart and take þe pathis playne.
- (1465) Doc.Finchale in Sur.Soc.6p.ccxcix : Le storhovs..j namydsaw, j twortsaw, j twybyll, j hak.
2.
(a) Counter, opposing; ~ wiles, counterdevices; (b) contrary, stubborn, obstinate.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)5770 : Dayres..in to the pres gan pryke, And wyth hym many a well good knyght; The frenshe folke, wyth mekyll myghte, In thwerte wyles they were wyke.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3099 : Ðo pharaun sag is lond al fre, His herte ðo wurð ðwert and hard, And al he brac hem forward.
- a1450 12 PTrib.(3) (Bod 423)48/11 : If thow wilt not make good chere to tribulacions, at þe leest renne not on hem by chidyng and by thwart wille.
- a1450 12 PTrib.(3) (Bod 423)91/4 : Such tyme is the massage forsake as þe herte by impacience and twarte wille ayensaieth to tribulacion.