Middle English Dictionary Entry
wīr n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | wīr n.(2) Also (in names) wire(s)-, wirr(e)-, wili-, wirn-, wier-, wer(e)-, war-, wor(r)-, whir-. |
| Etymology | OE wīr, LOE (in place names) wi-, were- myrtle. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) In combs.: ~ tre [OE wīr-trēow], myrtle; ~ treen [OE wīr-trēowen], derived from the myrtle tree;
(b) in surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.270].
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B)161/9 : Cnuca [it] mid rose wose oððer wyrtreowes oððer ecede.
- ?a1200(OE) Hrl.HApul.(Hrl 6258B)163/13 : Beða ærest þæt sar mid watere, hreaw sedðan mid wermamum wyrtreowenum wose.
b
- (1170) in Ekwall Dict.EPN516 : Wirlega.
- (1199) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Werul.
- (1218) EPNSoc.30 (West Riding Yks.) ()230 : Wyrhale.
- (1219) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames393 : Roger de Wyrhal.
- (1244) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Wylihal.
- (1246-77) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Warall.
- (1254) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Wirnhal.
- (c1290) EPNSoc.47 (Ches.) ()2 : Wyrlone.
- (1293) in Ekwall Dict.EPN ()516 : Little Wyrle.
- (1298) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Wyreshale.
- a1350 Ichot a burde in a (Hrl 2253)27 : From Weye he is wisist into Wyrhale.
- (1328) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Wirrehale.
- (1334) EPNSoc.45 (Ches.) ()71 : Le Coppede Wiralehull.
- (1347) EPNSoc.46 (Ches.) ()245 : Le Wiremor.
- (1351) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Whirhall.
- (1363) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()187 : Wyrecotesfeld.
- (1367) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames (3rd ed.) ()497 : John atte Wyre.
- (1374) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Wyerhall.
- (1388) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames ()393 : Alan de Worrell.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)701 : He…farez…Ouer at þe Holy Hede, til he hade eft bonk In þe wyldrenesse of Wyrale.
- (1404) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Wirral.
- (1407) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()7 : Werehale.
- (1461) EPNSoc.30 (West Riding Yks.) ()230 : Worhall.
- c1450(a1400) Libeaus (Clg A.2)1014 : He flawe for greet peryle West yn-to Wyrhale.