Middle English Dictionary Entry
waften v.
Entry Info
| Forms | waften v. |
| Etymology | Prob. from a MDu. source (perh. ult. wachten to guard, provide for, etc.), but also cp. the vars. in wā̆f- in ME wāven v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
?To move gently through the air (near to the sun), float on a breeze; also [main text], ?propel (sth.), put to flight; ?error for wasten v. 7.(a).
Associated quotations
- a1475 Sidrak & B.in Centaurus 12 (Lnsd 793)218/5307 : Whan þe water is doun clenly, Þe clowde bileueþ white and faire, Þat is þorgh [vr. of] colde of þe aire, And þat is waftid þorgh þe sunne clere [vr. þat wafteþ þe sonne þer nere], And so bycomeþ þe sky al clere.