Middle English Dictionary Entry
waght n.
Entry Info
| Forms | waght n. Also (N) vaught; pl. waȝtes. |
| Etymology | Chiefly N & NEM. ON: cp. OI vætt (earlier *wæht) weight. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. weght n.
1.
(a) Pl. A set of counterpoises for use in weighing [cp. weght n. 6.(c)];
(b) in comb.: hal-peni ~, the weight of a halfpenny;
(c) in ~, fig. in a state of uncertainty, in doubt, at risk.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450(1410) This holy tyme make (Dgb 102)51 : That clippen money, þey haue þe curs…Here waȝtes, þat þey waye þe wors, Ȝerde or elne…Hit semeþ in skornyng þat it were, Wiþ god of pes.
b
- (a1451) Will York in Sur.Soc.4597 : Item, iij flat peciae arg. pond. xv unc., xxxvij s. vj d…pond. ij unc. et j halpeny waght, iiij s.
c
- a1425 Hayle bote (Wht)277 : My lyf and hele is al in waght But of þat water I haue a draght.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.in Studia Neoph.14 (Göt Hist 740)p.228 : Mykyll of þe day samen þai faught, And yit þe victory in vaught.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.in Studia Neoph.14 (Göt Hist 740)p.228 : Ofte on þe paighiens he faght, Þe victorie in dout euer and waght.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.in Studia Neoph.14 (Göt Hist 740)p.229 : Baȝ þe ostes durede fightande lang quile, Aiþer partie in waght and perile.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)286/218 : Thoug ye be prynce peerles withoutt any pere, were not my wyse wysdom youre wyttys were in waght.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)290/329 : It bees in waght, in fayth, and thou wyn.