Middle English Dictionary Entry
wā̆stē̆n(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wā̆stē̆n(e n. Also wastein(e, wastaine, wastin(e. |
| Etymology | OF wastine, AF wastaine, vars. of OF gastine. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. westen n.(2).
1.
A wild or desolate region, a wasteland, wilderness, desert.
Associated quotations
- a1225(?OE) Lamb.Hom.(Lamb 487)141 : Sunnedei siriat [read: smat] Moyses þene stan ine þe wastine þa þet folc wes welnech for-faren drinkeles.
- a1200 Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52)161 : Ðis woreldes biwest is efned to wastene, for þat þe hit is ferren atleien holie tilðe.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)1764 : An ermyte…Dwelled besyde þat wasteyn.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)6112 : An ermyte woned fer ouer a doune…Yn a wasteyne, fer fro þe toune.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6347 : Þai faand in þat wastin [Frf: wastine] Water bitter sum ani brin.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)12815 : A voice criand…ic hatt, In wastin biddand grait þe gate.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7088 : Vnicornes hij founden in þat wastayne [LinI: wasten]…and ek wilde swyne.
- ?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Göt Hist 740)27194 : Britons…duelde als in gannokes and vales Within wastins and wudes of wales.