Middle English Dictionary Entry

wrīen v.(2)
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) To turn; also, writhe, wriggle; ~ awei-ward, twist in all directions, be askew; ppl. wriinge, moving in a twisting or contorted way, staggering; (b) to avert one’s body or face, turn away; go away, depart; also, move out of the way; ~ awei (awei-ward); (c) of the sun: to incline (downward), turn its course.
2.
(a) To deviate from a straight line or course; be crooked, twisted, or bent in shape; also in fig. context; ~ abouten; (b) to be turned (in a certain direction), face; ~ upon, be facing toward (the south).
3.
(a) To turn (the neck), twist; turn (one’s head or face) away, avert; also in fig. context; ~ awei; (b) ppl. wriede, bent, crooked; bowed, curved; of the neck or foot: twisted, sprained.
4.
(a) ?To turn (a foe) aside forcefully, force back; (b) of a shoe: to bind, pinch, cause discomfort;—used in fig. context; ?error for wringen v.
5.
(a) To have recourse (to Christ), turn; resort (to sth.), be given; (b) to be or become unresponsive, turn aside; ~ awei; ~ (awei) from, reject (sb. or sth.), turn away from; also in fig. context;—also refl.; (c) ~ from, to escape from (sth.), avoid; (d) to stray from the rightful course of action, err; also, go amiss; ~ wronge; (e) ?to be ascendant (over sth.), be dominant; (f) to turn out; work out (to a certain end); of an utterance: to have as its upshot; the male wrieth, the case turns out (in a certain way).