Middle English Dictionary Entry
wā̆f n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wā̆f n. Also waif(e. |
| Etymology | N only. Origin uncertain: perh. from N vars. of wāven v. or weiven v.(2); ?= N var. of wēf n.(1); cp. MnE dial. (Northern) waff a whiff, an odor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. wafte n.
1.
A scent or an odor; ivel ~, an unpleasant smell.
Associated quotations
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)80/665 : Smell þareto with þi nose, if it stynk or if it have ony evyll wayfe þan oþer uryn suld have.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)348/5230 : Þe evyl wayf is of corrupcion of þe blude.
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)475/2258 : Uryn…sumdel blakkyssh or ellys sumdel toward þe color of blud, & with…evyl waf, gret drede.