Middle English Dictionary Entry
wannen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | wannen v. Also wanne, (early SWM) wonnen, wonnin. |
| Etymology | OE wannian |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
To grow or appear dark, become dim [last quot. could also be construed as wan adj.]; also, become discolored or livid [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
- c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34)32/516 : Þine ehnen schule doskin & underneoðe wonnin [Tit: wonnen], & of þi breines turnunge þin heaued aken sare.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)53 : Þe wolcom [read: wolcon] wanned anon…Cloudes clateren gon as þey cleue wolde.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4142 : Þe werd wannes at a wap & þe wedire gloumes.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4627 : Quen it [day] is briȝt all a-bowte, it blithis oure hertis…And quen it walows & wannes, all oure [witt] thestres [L tenebrosa dies…reddit sensum hominis et obscurum].
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1239/26 : I sy nothynge but watirs wap and wawys wanne.