Middle English Dictionary Entry
thwī̆rnisse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | thwī̆rnisse n. Pl. (infl.) þwī̆rnissen. |
| Etymology | LOE (WS) þwȳrnis, var. of OE þwēorness. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An instance of perversity; (b) pl. trials, burdens, afflictions.
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)32/3-4 : Þæt þwyre mod, þone hit geheapð yfel ofer yfele, & þwyrnysse ofer þwyrnysse, hwæt deð hit bute swylce hit lecge stan ofer stane?
b
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)70/26 : Us is to wyscenne þæt we..þurh þone scyrtre weig becumen to þan ecen life, for þan þe þes middeneard is mid manigfealden unrotnyssen geðread, & mid þwyrnyssen geangsumod.
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)128/35 : Gyf ure ænigen sum ungelimp becume, þonne scule we..geðyldige beon on þan þwyrnyssen þe us se Ælmihtige on besænt.