Middle English Dictionary Entry
winche n.
Entry Info
| Forms | winche n. Also winisch, winke, wenche. |
| Etymology | LOE wince |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Some kind of roller or pulley;
(b) a deep shaft or pit dug in order to extract water; some type of well; ~ pit, water ~; ~ water; helle ~, hell;
(c) ?in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- (1295) *Acc.Exch.K.R.5/7 [OD col.] : In Wenches emptis ad idem, iiij s. vj d.
- (1384) *For.Acc.(PRO) 20 C dorso [OD col.] : j wynche ferri pro vna petra vertibili…j gross[a] wynche ferri pro factura cordarum.
- (1446) Acc.Bk.Carpenter Co.13 : For makyng of ye Wynysch, iiij d.
b
- ?a1300 Sayings St.Bede (Dgb 86)143 : Depe in helle winke His soule he may bringe.
- (1388) *Acc.Bridgewater (PRO)968/29 : Prosternentis j quercum pro le Wynkeput in exteriore balliva Castri.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)tab.459,463 : Watir, to fynde for makynge of wynchis or of wellis…Watir wynchis, makynge with good craft.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.426 : In stede of welle or wenche haue a sisterne.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)1.768 : Eek yf thee lakke a welle, a wynche [L puteus] enmyne.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)9.126 : A lyght into the wynche may doun be sende; If hit ne quenche, of peril is ther noon.
- a1450(1408) Vegetius(1) (Dc 291)166/8,12 : How þou most kepe welles & wynches…ȝif þei [sources of water] mowe not ben igete of kynde springe rennynge, ȝit maist þou digge by craft depe draght water in wenches.
- ?c1450 Stockh.PRecipes (Stockh 10.90)88/1 : Take þe rotys of fenell, of percelly, and of smalache…and wasche hem well in wynche-watir.
c
- (1275) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames386 : William de la Winche.
- (1327) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames386 : Stephen atte Wynke.
- (1332) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames386 : Thomas atte Wynche.