Middle English Dictionary Entry
wāven v.
Entry Info
| Forms | wāven v. Also wave, (N or NEM) waf(f)e. |
| Etymology | OE wafian to wave; forms with -u- and -v- not in rime position could also be construed as ME wawen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. weiven v.(2), weven v.(2).
1.
(a) To move to and fro, sway; also in fig. context; also, shake; move, stir; of a ship: bob; ~ to and fro;
(b) to wander, stray; also in fig. context; also, follow a weaving course; fig. vacillate, hesitate; ~ to and fro; ppl. wavinge as adj.: straying;
(c) to move (a kerchief) to and fro, wave; fig. cause (mankind) to toss and turn; ppl. waved, of a person’s character: made unsteadfast, bent.
Associated quotations
a
- (?1406) Hoccl.MR (Hnt HM 111)399 : Who so him shapith mercy for to craue His lesson moot recorde…whil my breeth may in my body waue, To recorde it vnnethe I may souffyse.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)379 : I wolde be ryche in gret aray, And fayn I wolde my sowle saue! As wynde in watyr I wave.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)95/54 : Þir wise wordis ware noght wroght in waste, To waffe and wende away als wynde.
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)289/18 : Þis litill bote þat was wauynge betokenes þe churche, þe wiche was vnstabull at þe begynnynge.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)4.1377 : A god muste we haue Aboue alle men…looke on your goddis how þei toumble and waue Right whan men swepe hem—so litil is her myght!
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.A.2522 : His hede beganne to wave, And said, ‘Noon of all thes may me save.’
- a1500 Consideryng effectually (Cmb Hh.4.12)54 : Like vnto a Reede wavyng too and fro…Alas, Quid eligam ignoro.
b
- a1425 LChart.Chr.C (Roy 17.C.17)638/48 : Forthe þou was drywyn away Als wauand best þat gos on stray.
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2662 : Nedys my loue muste on hym lende, Wyth Coueytyse to waltyr and wave [rime: haue].
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)3051 : Fro þe awey I wandyr and waue…Alone now I þe laue Whylyst þou fallyst in fendys folde.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)2.607 : Youre londes, lady…lye fer a-sondre…if ye wil saue Youre owne astat, and thus no lengere waue Bothe too and fro, dooth be oure counsayle.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)3.199 : I wyl the telle pleynly, I wil not waue [rime: haue], I wil not varye.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)3.593 : Ye wolde be with hym euere and neuere fro hym waue.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.390 : Fro this decree shal I neuere-more waue.
- a1500(?a1400) KEdw.& S.(Cmb Ff.5.48)313 : Ȝif þou wilt ete, þou shall non waue, But gif þou will any drynk haue, Þou most con thy play.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)21/430 : Caym: The kyng will that thay be safe…At thare awne will let tham wafe.
c
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)2002 : Beholde what enmys he schal haue…Byttyr balys þei brewyn on brode Mankynd in wo to weltyr and waue.
- c1460 Lydg.Test.(Hrl 2255)p.256 : This was my maneere, Wavid with eche wynd, as doth a reed speere.
- (?1468) Doc.in Bentley Excerpta Hist.239 : The Pryncesse…wt dolorous countenauns wavyng hir kerchef, tooke nott upp the sportt.