Middle English Dictionary Entry
wrīthing(e ger.
Entry Info
| Forms | wrīthing(e ger. |
| Etymology | From wrīthen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The action of twisting something, torsion; also, a turning or rotary motion; ~ abouten;
(b) convulsive or writhing motion;
(c) anat. & physiol. partial dislocation; wrenching, a sprain; ?also, distortion or misalignment of a bodily member [last quot.];
(d) anat. a convoluted or twisting bodily passage;
(e) ?a turning away from someone, defection; ?fig. a deviation from the right course;
(f) ?some sort of fur cloak or outer garment; ?error for wriing ger.(1) [for sense cp. wrien v.(1) 3.].
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sq.(Manly-Rickert)F.127 : This same steede shal bere yow…With outen harm…Though that ye slepen on his bak…And turne agayn with writhyng of a pyn.
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)188/34 : If þe þing þat is smyten may nouȝt be drawen oute…in writhynge aboute and in movynge hyder and þider it schal be drawen out.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)534 : Wrythynge: Torsura, tortura.
b
- a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009)904 : The lady thaught…Here herte wold braste…sche…Tomblyd downe vp on her bede And [?read Wyth] wrythyng and wyth woo.
c
- ?c1425 Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)350/36 : Some dislocacioun is incomplete, i. nouȝt fulfilled…þe whiche is cleped bowynge and wriþinge of Auycen.
- a1500 *Lanfranc CP (Wel 397)31b/26 : I shall tele þe a medecyne good in brekyng of bonys and wryþyng.
- c1500(1446) Morstede Surgery (Hrl 1736)117 : The sewynges in the face be made evyne & ryght for yt myght elles cause wrythynge and crokednes to the mowth, and specially when the pacyent schuld speke.
d
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)135a/b : Som in þe particulez lying to which ar þe hole, þe amfracte, i. wriþing [Ch.(2): þe croked way], & substaunce of þe ere.
e
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Ballade ROL (Sln 1212)96 : Thu louyst hem unchaungid þat serue the, Or ȝif ony offence or writhyng in hem be, Þu art ay redy up-on her woo for to rewe.
f
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)55b/b : Reno: a wryþyng of shylder [Cnt: velamen humerorum et pectoris de pillibus villosis].
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. writhing.