Middle English Dictionary Entry
tọ̄̆witheren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | tọ̄̆witheren v. Pl. (early) tọ̄̆hwiðerin, -hwiderin; p.ppl. tọ̄̆withered, (early) -hwiðered, -hwiðeret. |
| Etymology | Prob. from ON (cp. Norw. kvidra); cp. MScot. quhidder v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To whirl around with sufficient force to break apart; also, cause (a body) to break apart under the stress of centrifugal force, whirl to bits.
Associated quotations
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Bod 34)102/707 : Ha schal beo tohwiðeret wið þe hweoles swa..þet alle þe hit bihaldeð schule grure habben.
- c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Bod 34)104/726 : Hise halden ham mate smit so smeortliche herto þet al þeos fower hweoles tohwiðerin [Roy: tohwiderin] to stucches.
- c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402)185/11 : Nes seinte peter & seinte andrew þeruore istraht o rode? Sein lorenz o þe gridil & laðlese meidnes þe tittes itoren of, tohwiðeret [Nero: to hwiðered; Pep: towiþered] o hweoles, heafdes bicoruen?