Middle English Dictionary Entry
whin n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | whin n.(1) Also whin(n)e, wine, quin(ne, qwen, (in names) win(ne-, qwhin-, quine-, eun- & (errors) quire, qwyce; pl. whinnes, winnis, qwinnis, qwennis. |
| Etymology | Prob. ON: cp. older Dan. hvine, Dan., Norw. hvene, Norw. dial. kvein, Swed. hven. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Common furze, gorse (Ulex europaeus); a gorse plant or clump; also, any of several similarly spiky plants; pl. a clump or quantity of gorse;
(b) ~ bush (tre), a gorse plant or clump; ~ ground, a field covered with gorse;
(c) in surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem.2.257].
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.23v : The grene [read: grete] junipere is as heyh as firze þat þey callen whyn.
- a1425(?c1350) Ywain (Glb E.9)159 : In a frith I fand a strete Ful thik and hard…With thornes, breres, and moni a quyn.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)57a/b : Saliumca [read: Saliunca]: a quynne [Cnt: a qwen; Pep: a quire].
- a1425 Roy.17.C.17 Nominale (Roy 17.C.17)643/32 : Saliunca: wyne.
- (1429) J.Boys in Nrf.Archaeol.15148 : On ye wedenysday…after none, qwynnys to ye ospital.
- (1429) J.Boys in Nrf.Archaeol.15150 : On ye fryday at after none ocupyid wt ledyng of qwennys to ye ospital, ye saterday also al day wynnys to ye same place.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)524 : Whynne [Win: Whyne]: Saliunca, saliuris, ruscus, est herba spinosa.
- (?a1460) Paston2.97 : Sundry smale parcelles…arn ny almost ouer growe with whynnes at þis daye.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)138b : A Whynne: Saliunca, Saliuncula, palurus.
- a1500 Agnus Castus (LdMisc 553)201/26 : Reta bouis is an herbe þat me clepuþ cammok, whynne, or calketrap.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)162 : Firre, whynne [Hrl 221: Fyyre, sharpe brusche: Saliunca].
b
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)162 : Fyrrys, or qwyce [read: qwyne] tre, or gorstys tre: Ruscus.
- (?a1460) Paston2.97 : Liketh it yow to wete þat þer hath be purchased of many sundry men…a certeyn pasture and whynground.
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)416 : A Whyn buske: salivnca, saliuncula, paliurus.
c
- (1198) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.) ()282 : Qwhinholm.
- (1204) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.) ()132 : Wynefeld.
- (c1245) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.) ()251 : Quinnefel.
- (1260) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)288 : Wynnebergh.
- (1278) EPNSoc.20 (Cum.)156 : E Winnow, Eunow.
- (1292) EPNSoc.21 (Cum.)376 : Quinebank.
- (1323) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.) ()132 : Wynnefell.
- (1332) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames378 : John de Whinhow.
- (1361) in Fägersten PNDor.()125 : Wynfell.
- (1425) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.)132 : Oldparke de Qwynfell.
- (1464) RParl.5.511b : John a Whynfell, late of Naward in the Counte of Cumberlond, Yoman…hath adhered unto the seid Henry.