Middle English Dictionary Entry
whirren v.
Entry Info
| Forms | whirren v. Also whir, wirre; pl. whirres, quir(r)is. |
| Etymology | Prob. ON: cp. Dan. hvirre; also perh. imitative. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To move noisily, rush, hurry; ~ forth;
(b) to send forth (arrows) in a flurry, let fly; ~ oute;
(c) impv. whir as interj.: hurry!, move it!
Associated quotations
a
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1556 : All þe cite in sorte felowis him eftir, Quirris [Dub: Whirrez] furth all in quite, of qualite as aungels.
b
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2226 : Halis vp hemp cordis hurled out arowis; Othire athils of armes Albastis bendis, Quirys [Dub: Whirres] out quarrels.
- a1500 Wars Alex.(Dub 213)1414 : Som braden to þair bowes & bremely shotyn, Whirres [Ashm: Quethirs] owt quarels whikly betwene.
c
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)552 : Wyppe, wyrre, care awey! Farwell perfeccyon!
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)104/117 : ijus pastor.: I say, ‘tyr!’…‘skyp ouer the plane!’…‘Tup,’ I say, ‘whyr!’