Middle English Dictionary Entry
wēting(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | wēting(e ger. Also (early SW) wetingue. |
| Etymology | From wēten v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The act of moistening or wetting by drenching with or immersing in water or another fluid; the fact of becoming wet by exposure to the elements; also fig.; also, an instance of becoming wet; withouten ~ fet, without getting (one’s) feet wet; haven ~, to endure a dousing.
Associated quotations
- c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108)268/252 : Þo Marie hadde i-blessed þat watur with hire honde, With-oute wetingue þare-ouer heo ȝeode, ase it were on druyȝe londe.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.1109 : A cat wolde ete fisshes Withoute wetinge of his cles.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)662/14 : A lake hatte riuus and hath þat name of rigando, wetynge and moystynge, as Ysidir seith.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)10352 : Schal he neuere take scathe, Ne haue wetynge ne waþe.
- a1450 Treat.Horses (Sln 2584)109/319 : Loke þat þe hors be wel kept from al-manere wetynges of water & fro gnappynge & rubbynge.
- c1400 Interpol.Rolle Cant.(1) (Bod 288)27 : Þese streemys ben holy loore fadris…þat men þoru hem moun take weetynge of hevenly deew to her drie hertis.
- a1500(c1340) Rolle Psalter (UC 64)1.3 : He sall be as a tre that…has ay wetynge of the watirs of grace.
- a1500 Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)125/22 : Moyses…through his prayers made the see to be devided in tweyne suche wise þat all the people of Israell passed through withowt weting their feete.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)1579 : By the sydes…Was archet full Abilly for aylyng of shoures, Pight vp with pilers…Weghis into walke for wetyng of rayn.
2.
(a) An act or instance of the saturating of cloth or fabric with water during the fulling process;
(b) an act or instance of the soaking of grain in water as part of the malting process.
Associated quotations
a
- (1463-4) RParl.5.501b : To ordeyn and stablissh that every Cloth of Kersey…be parfitely wette, and after that wetyng redy to the sale.
b
- (1467) Will Bury in Camd.4946 : I will…that the ocupier of myn seid place shall haue his wetyng of his barly in the fate of the seid Denyse duryng maltyng tyme, that is for to sey, the seid Denys on wetyng and the seid occupier an other wetyng.
3.
The act of taking a drink (of water).
Associated quotations
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)1033 : Drink may hem helpe; A litel wetinge of watur his wo wol amende.