Middle English Dictionary Entry
weif adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | weif adj. Also waif. |
| Etymology | AF waif, weif, vars. of OF guaif adj.; cp. AL waivus adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Having the status of weif n., being without known or proven owner and so seized and forfeited; abandoned, stray.
Associated quotations
- (1371) Doc.York in Sur.Soc.35123 : De 6 s. pro stota wayf apud Herswyk; De 18 d. pro j ove cum j agno wayf apud Strenssall.
- (1397) Inquis.Miscel.(PRO)6.205 : [The duke had a] wayf [horse worth 2 s. at Barowe].
- (1405) Doc.Beverley in Seld.Soc.1416 : Si animal Weyf vel Stray inveniatur ibidem, liberetur ballivo Archiepiscopi Eboraci ad quem pertinet hujusmodi Weyf et Stray.
- (1447-8) Shillingford84 : The seide goodes and cattall wayff y-left yn the seid Bysshopp ys tenement…was kept…by…John Toylerd.