Middle English Dictionary Entry
wrēth(e n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | wrēth(e n.(2) Also ? wrẹ̄th(e & (early) wreoðe; pl. wrethes, (?error) werthes. |
| Etymology | OE wrǣd, wrǣð & wriþa, the latter prob. accounting for the form in -eo- by back umlaut and any forms in -ẹ̄- in open syllables. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. writhe n.
1.
(a) A rounded or coiled shape;
(b) ?some kind of woven object of circular shape; also, a twisted bundle of wood [1st quot.];
(c) a fold of flesh, a wrinkle; a coil (of muscle).
Associated quotations
a
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)75 : I shal teche yow to knowe to deme þe fumes of an hert, for sum tyme þei croteye in wrethis [F en torche] and sumtyme flatt, and somtyme ifourmed and sumtyme sharpe at boþ þe eendis.
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)75 : If he fynde þe fumes iwrethede…of greet fourme and in grete wrethis…it is tokenyng þat it is an hert chaseable.
b
- a1450 Castle Persev.(Folg V.a.354)1962 : Lo…whov I fare to þe felde, Wyth a faget on myn hond for to settyn on a fyre; Wyth a wrethe of þe wode wel I can me welde.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)132/158 : These thinges [will, reason, and love], as a ring in circuit of wrethe, ben knit in thy soule without departing.
c
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1093 : All falterde þe flesche in his foule lippys, Ilke wrethe as a wolfe-heuede, it wraythe owtt at ones.
- a1450 Treat.Horses (Sln 2584)85/22 : Þat he be þicke…al þe bodi knette with wreþes of brawn.
2.
(a) A circular ornamentation of some kind on an object, prob. a decorative garland or wreath;
(b) a circular object or ornament worn around the head; a chaplet; a crown; ?also, a fabric band wrapped around the head [quot. a1425];
(c) a metal ring worn around the arm or neck, a torque;
(d) a ring in the nose used as part of a kind of bridle;—in fig. context;
(e) ?a twisted band (of silver); also, her. the twisted band by which the crest is joined to the helmet.
Associated quotations
a
- (1431) Will York in Sur.Soc.3015 : Lego Willelmo Alne unum ciphum planum de argento cum uno wreth in cooperculo.
- (1442) Invent.Gild in PSAL ser.2.5121 : Item, xij quisshenes of cowchid werke with wrethes, and a Reson in the wrethe.
- (1443) MSS Middleton in HMC111 : Item, a salt seller, the wrethis gilt.
- (1452-3) Invent.Norwich in Nrf.Archaeol.12216 : Item, j magnum tapetum rubium de Tapesery cum v wrethys et literis in medio M et P.
- (1463) Will York in Sur.Soc.30259 : Lego…j parvam peciam argenti pounced cum le werthes.
- (1472) Acc.St.Edm.Sarum6 : Item, a nother crosse staffe of silver with a wrethe gilt about the same with ij bosis gilt.
b
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.2145 : His longe heer was kembed bihynde his bak…A wrethe of gold…Vpon his heed set ful of stones brighte.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)3527 : He…kam with Palamoun…Vpon his hed a wreth of gold.
- a1425(?a1350) Nicod.(1) (Glb E.9)65 : A wonden wrethe þat his heuid hid spred he all furth on brede.
- a1450 Of alle þe ioyus (Cmb Dd.11.89)63 : Ȝif I byholde on Hys blyssed heued…Wyth a wrethe of thornes I see it be weued.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)113/15 : I for þe on my hed suffyr a wreþe of stynkyng þornes.
c
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Prov.1.9 : Ne lefe þou þe lawe of þy moder, þat þer be added grace to þyn heued and a wreþe [alt. to: beeȝe; L torques] to þi necke.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.41.42 : Farao…clothide Joseph with a stoole of bijs, and puttide a goldun wrethe aboute the necke.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)323/23 : A mervalos wrethe of golde & precious stonys was sene aboute his armys, þat coverd his armys vnto his elbow.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)794 : A wreth o golde is signe of grete estate; That wered it, was called a Torquate.
d
- a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.(Vsp D.14)107/2 : Ic geslea ænne wreoðe [OE wriðan; Vulg. 4 Kings 19.28: circulam] on his nose & ænne bridel on his weleren, & ic hine gelæde ongean to his leoden.
e
- 1451 Tundale (Roy 17.B.43)1994 : Wrethes [Adv: yardys; L virgulis; Clg: All wer ioyned & fastened…In wondes of syluer ryche & bryȝte; They hongede wyth cheynes in þe ayre].
- (1478) in Fletcher Shropsh.Grants (1909) [OD col.]12 : To his tymbre a gauntelet sillver sette in a wrethe gold and azure.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. wreath.