Middle English Dictionary Entry
wrest(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wrest(e n. Also wreiste, wrast(e, wraist(e, (in names) reste. |
| Etymology | From wresten v.; ?also cp. OE *wrǣst. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A wrenching or twisting motion, a twisting; also, a violent tug;—used fig.;
(b) a bending of the knee [2nd quot. may belong to (a)];
(c) an ill turn, a trick.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3462 : Þair strut it was vn-stern stith, Wit wrathli wrestes [Göt: wraystes] aiþer writh.
- c1450(?a1422) Lydg.LOL (Dur-U Cosin V.2.16)4.280 : It causeth hertes no langer to debate, That partyde werne thorwe the wrest of hate.
b
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)29a/a : Fragus: a wrast [Hrl 1738: bowyng of kne].
- a1475 Bk.Courtesy (Sln 1986)26 : First to the ryȝht honde þou shalle go, Sitthen to þo left honde þy neghe þou cast; To hom þou boghe withouten wrast.
c
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)133/187 : Than shall we wayte þam with a wrest [rime: a-bast, frast, trast], And make all wast þat þei haue wroght.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)213/283 : Thou says right wele, sen he wate the with sich a wrast.
- a1450 Bevis (Cai 175/96)96/1930 : Ony wrest [Auch: A dede hire ete al þer ferst þat ȝhe ne dede him no berst].
2.
(a) A tool for tuning a stringed instrument; also, a plectrum;
(b) surg. a screw with a hole in the shaft which could be twisted to tighten a ligature;
(c) ?a piece of jousting gear; ?a lance rest (as error for rest(e n.(2) (e));
(d) ~ of the tonge, the tip of the tongue;
(e) ?a stick [?from association of L plectrum with plectere to beat, punish].
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)206/10 : As a wrest [L plectrum] tempreþ þe strenges, so þe tonge smytiþ þe teeþ.
- (1433) ?Phillip Serm.GF (BodLTh d.1)255 : Þis woo and sorowe [passion of Christ] potest assimilari to a harpe of melodye makyng…Corde fuerunt vene…claui fuerunt ferrei pedes et manus perforantes; þe wraiste fuit capud lancee.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)533 : Wreste, of an harpe or other lyke: Plectrum.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Eliz.Spalb.(Dc 114)109/31 : Þis newe tymbrer settiþ her flesche for an harpe…and hir handys and fyngers for a wrast, þat is an instrument of organ-songe.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)142b : A Wrayst [Monson: Wraste]: hic pecten, plectrum.
- a1500 Mayer Nominale (Mayer)738/16 : Plectrum: a wrast.
b
- c1370 *Arderne Practica [OD col.] (Ashm 1434)fol.4 : In quo foramine vnum vertile, anglice wrayst, imponatur.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)9/16-17 : Þe þrid instrument is called ‘tendiculum’…And it ow to haue an hole þurgh in þe side…In whiche hole be þer putte in a wrayst, by middez of whiche wraiste in þe ouer ende shal be a litel hole þurgh whiche shal be putte þe two endez of grete þrede four folde, goyng atte firste by þe towel and þe hole of þe fistule; whiche þrede is called ffrenum cesaris.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)24/4,9 : Take þe wraiste wiþ freno cesaris, and put it in þe hole of þe tendicule…And…be þe wraist turned aboute þat frenum cesaris hold fast þe tendicule þat it go noȝt out.
c
- (1415) Invent.Agincourt in Archaeol.7089 : Item, vn paire Wrestes pur Justis, et iij altre paire de copre enorrez, pris iij s. iiij d.
d
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)201/19 : Þe roof of þe mouþ is holough þat þe wrast of þe tonge [L plectrum lingue] may meue þe esiloker to schape þe voys.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1387/27 : A voice is most þinne ayre ysmyte with þe wreyste of þe tunge.
e
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)50b/a : Plecto: to bete, torment wyþ wreste.
3.
In surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.277].
Associated quotations
- (1185) EPNSoc.3 (Bedf.& Hnt.) ()162 : Wrest.
- (1276) EPNSoc.3 (Bedf.& Hnt.)162 : Wrast.
- (1308) EPNSoc.3 (Bedf.& Hnt.) ()162 : Wrast, Wraste.
- (1327) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.)494 : Robert de Reste.
- (c1375) EPNSoc.7 (Sus.) ()494 : Reste.
- (1430) EPNSoc.3 (Bedf.& Hnt.) ()162 : Wrest.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. wrest.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 2.(d)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. wrest of the tongue.