Middle English Dictionary Entry
wist(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wist(e n. Also (in place names) wisp, wichȝ, quist; pl. (early dat.) wistum. |
| Etymology | OE wist; for sense (b), cp. OE hūs-wist. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. biwist n., iwist n.
1.
(a) Provisions, esp. food;—also pl.;
(b) in place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.270].
Associated quotations
a
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)7/9 : Forlæt þonne eall, þæt þu age, bute wiste & gewæden & tolen to swylce weorca, swylce þu cunne.
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.VA (Vsp D.14)16/32 : Seo deð þæt mann ett ærtime & drincð, oððe he eft to mycel nymð on æte oððe on wiste, seo fordeð æigðer gea sawle gea lichame.
- a1200(?OE) Cmb.Hom.(Cmb Ii.1.33)101/64 : He…axode þa weardmen humeta hi dorston hi swa wel fedan mid wistum and drencum.
b
- (c1238) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()194 : Foxwist.
- (1266) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.) ()452 : Downe Wyste.
- (1285) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.)194 : Foxwisp.
- (1287) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()194 : Foxquist.
- (1337) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.) ()194 : Foxwychȝ.
- (1419) EPNSoc.45 (Ches.) ()14 : Foxwyste iuxta Baguley parke.