Middle English Dictionary Entry
wīf-thing n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wīf-thing n. Also (early infl.) wifðinge, wifeþinge, (dat.) wifþingun. |
| Etymology | OE wīf-þing |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A wedding, nuptial celebration;
(b) sexual intercourse with a woman.
Associated quotations
a
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)2217 : Belin ihærde…of his broðer wifðinge.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)15538 : He weddede þat mæiden & nom heo to his bedden; þe[r] wes wif-ðing riche and vnimete blisse.
b
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.MQuad.(Hrl 6258B)247/13-14 : To wifþingun [L coitum], foxes tæȝeles se ytemesta dæl on hermen ahangen; þu lifest þæt þis sy to wifþingun on besmer ȝedon.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)12968 : He lai bi þan wife, ah he nuste noht þan tidende þat comen to his wife-þinge.