Middle English Dictionary Entry
wringing(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | wringing(e ger. Also wringging, (error) wrynyng. |
| Etymology | From wringen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The act of wringing out the water from wet laundry by twisting and pressing it with the hands;
(b) the act or process of pressing to force out fluid or moisture; extraction of liquid from fruit by pressing.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)181/8 : Þerfor was hir labowr meche þe mor in waschyng & wryngyng & hir costage in fyryng.
b
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1004/25 : Oyle…renneþ þe better…out of þe draffe in þe wryngyng and pressynge if þe beryes ben toforehond wel ypowned oþer ygrounde wiþ a myllestone.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1083/23 : Þe lengere þe wyn after wryngynge and pressynge out of þe presse, þe more clere it is and pure.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1271/35 : Moyste matiere is more redy and prest to fonge clerenesse þan druye matiere, þouȝ it be by wryngyng and pressyng.
2.
(a) Anguished twisting and turning of the whole body (for sorrow), writhing;
(b) the act of forcefully twisting an external bodily member; ~ of eien, ?the act of rubbing the eyes vigorously; ?the act of squinting; ~ of honde(s, honde(s ~, the act of pressing and twisting the hands together in dismay, sorrow, etc.; ~ of nekke, twisting or wringing of the neck;
(c) painful contraction, cramping, or twisting of an internal bodily organ or part.
Associated quotations
a
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)5452 : Þer was siking and sorwe on boþe sides sadde, wepinge & wringinge for wo at here hertes.
b
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)235 : Þer was sobbing, siking, and sor, Handes wringing, and drawing bi hor.
- c1330 7 Sages(1) (Auch)1050 : Þer he fond his emperice, Wiȝ lourand chere, and…Hond wringging.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)p.344 : The signes þerof beþ continuale feueres, vryne discoloured & þicke oppressinge & wringinge of yȝen.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7970 : Noman…Ne seiȝ neuere so mychel reuþe Of weep, of cry, of honde wryngyng.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)32.520 : Thanne gan he to wepen wondirly sore, With wryngeng of hondis.
- a1400 Siege Jerus.(1) (LdMisc 656)247 : Þan was wepyng & wo & wryngyng of hondis.
- ?c1460 *Medulla (Add 33534)19b/b : Bacheum: Wringing [Pep: Wrynyng; Stnh: wringe; Hrl 1738: wrying] of nekke.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9611 : For Seppidon…[was] Myche weping & waile, wringyng of hond.
c
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)216/25 : By wrynginge and compressinge of ysophagus þe weye of mete and drinke is forbode.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)399/10 : Þe bowels beþ ibounde and glewid…Þerfore nedis folewiþ fretinge and gnawinge of þe inner parties, pressinge and wringinge of þe neþir.
- ?a1500 Henslow Recipes (Henslow)69/14 : Who-so hat wryngyng in hys wombe: Nyme rewe…wiþ stale ale…and drynke hit.
3.
Painful piercing of a bodily part (by a nail).
Associated quotations
- c1450(c1400) Rev.Jul.Norwich (Add 37790)54/8 : The blyssyd bodye dryede alle ane lange tyme with wryngynge of the nayles and paysynge of the hede and weyght of the bodye.
4.
In comb.: ~ wort, prob. either comfrey (Symphytum officinale) or the common daisy (Bellis perennis) [cp. consoude n. & elf-ring-wort (s.v. wort n. 3.(b))].
Associated quotations
- a1500 MS Cmb.Dd.11.45(1) in Hunt Plant Names (Cmb Dd.11.45)87 : [Consolida Media:] wryngyngwort, medyl consoude.
- a1500(?a1400) MS Sln.282 in Hunt Plant Names (Sln 282)87 : [Consolida:] comferie, wringinwort, daiziee…[Consolida Media:] wryngynwort, middel consoude.
- a1500 MS StJ-C E.6 in Hunt Plant Names (StJ-C E.6)87 : [Consolida Maior:] conferre, wrengingworth, daiesyeu.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. wringing.