† waryn.
Obsolete.
A felon, outlaw, villain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > villain > [noun]
waryOE
geringc1290
thief1297
villain1303
gerardc1350
villainc1400
villainist1596
viliaco1600
evil genius1688
villagio1820
badman1855
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [noun] > crime > a criminal or law-breaker
waryOE
wandelard1338
breakerc1384
malefactora1438
law-breakerc1440
misgovernora1449
malfetoura1450
wrongdoer1501
contravener1567
criminal1610
contravenary1614
mug1865
crook1879
outlaw1880
punter1891
kink1914
heavy man1926
crim1927
antisocial1945
villain1960
banduluc1977
OE Dream of Rood 31 Genaman me ðær strange feondas geworhton him þær to wæfersyne, heton me heora wergas hebban.
a1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 245/40 Furcifer, wearh.
a1200 St. Marher. 4 Þe wari of þeos wordes warð utnumen wrað.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 260 Mi lauerd. þurch hwam þe world is me unwurð & ich am unwurð hire. as wari [a1250 Nero weri] þe is anhonged.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14082 Mi-seolf ich wulle hine an-hon haxst alre warien.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
waryadj.
/ˈwɛːri/, U.S. /ˈwɛri/ 1. in combination.1832 H. Martineau Hill & Valley (1843) 123 A cool, wary-looking man stood by.
a. Given to caution, habitually on one's guard against danger, deception, or mistake; circumspect.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [adjective] > habitually
wary1552
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Wary or wily, oculeus, solers, uigilans. Warye or wyse, uigilans.
1563 W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (new ed.) Rivers x Warne thou the wary, least they hap to stumble.
1575 G. Gascoigne Posies Ep. to yong Gentleman sig. ¶¶.iiij If you take example by the harmes of others who haue eaten it [Hemlocke] before you, then may you chaunce to become so warie, that you will looke aduisedly on all the Perceley that you gather, least amongst the same one braunch of Hemlock might anoy you.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie Pref. 43 Vpon which question..the warier sort of you taking the one part, and the forwarder in zeale the other.
1614 J. Sylvester Micro-cosm. in Parl. Vertues Roy. 270 The wisest errs:..The holiest sins: the wariest slips: God is fault-lesse: neuer, Man.
1677 J. Dryden Authors Apol. Heroique Poetry in State Innocence Pref. sig. b2 This kind of Genius writes indeed correctly. A wary man he is in Grammar; very nice as to Solæcism or Barbarism.
1718 L. Echard Hist. Eng. (new ed.) III. 588 He being a Person of great Vertue and Piety..; besides this, of a very rich, and of a wary, or rather timorous Nature.
1805 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1835) III. 590 If he had recollected the cautious and wary character of that chief.
1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) ii. i. 41 The wariest of republics Has lavish'd all its chief employs upon him.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 153 ‘I say nothing about consequences,’ answered the wary diplomatist.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. vii. 32 Godwine was essentially a wary statesman.
1884 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 25 319 Mr. Bramley was far too wary to admit of even the suspicion of such a thing.
b. said of animals.
Π
1614 W. Alexander Doomes-day iii. lvi. sig. Kv The warie Hare whose Feare oft Sport hath made.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 213 The Goats are wary and haue their centinels.
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. i. i. 2 Whose wary Ginnet, shunning still the harm, Seem'd to attend the shock; and then leap'd wide.
1858 C. Kingsley Mad World my Masters in Misc. (1860) I. 135 How many have you delivered from..wary old alligators?
1865 D. Livingstone & C. Livingstone Narr. Exped. Zambesi xxiii. 465 The animals are wary, from the dread they have of the poisoned arrows.
1884 Pall Mall Budget 22 Aug. 27/1 Of all birds the wariest is the curlew.
1912 J. L. Myres Dawn of Hist. ix. 193 The horse, which is as wary as a watch-dog, is defended against strangers by his heels.
c. with agent-noun or its equivalent.
Π
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. biiij The third man..erreth..to the discredit of the Wary, and modest Astrologien.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 110 A warie obseruer of his delights..and faithfull partaker of his secrets.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xiv. x. 22 A warie advertiser and adviser of profitable wayes.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. viii. 181 All know his Holinesse to be too wary an archer to shoot away his arrows at nothing.
1701 G. Stanhope tr. St. Bernard in tr. St. Augustine Pious Breathings 363 Even the most wary liver cannot be clear of guilt.
1855 C. Kingsley Theseus in Heroes ii. 214 Theseus was a wary wrestler.
2.
a. On one's guard, cautious, careful.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [adjective]
warelyOE
warec1000
adviseda1325
averty1330
aware1340
ferdfula1382
well-advisedc1405
circumspect1430
hooly1513
fearful1526
curiousa1533
chary1542
wareful1548
cautelous1574
cauty1579
careful1580
wary1580
retentive1599
wary1599
ginger1600
circumstant1603
cautel1606
shya1616
cautionate1616
warisome1628
cautiousa1640
circumspectious1649
circumspectivea1674
gingerish1764
safe1874
pussy-footed1893
pussyfooting1926
risk-averse1961
risk-adverse1969
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 40 The day is broke, be wary, looke about. View more context for this quotation
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 43 Be wary then, best safety lies in feare. View more context for this quotation
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 272 I hope the gentlemen will be clear, and that they will be warier hereafter.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) 315 Men must be wary and considerate before they conclude against the Frame and Order of things as they appear in Nature.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. vii. 184 If you can, descend with me in silence, and I warn you to be wary.
1822 Ld. Byron Werner i. i I must be wary; An error would spoil all.
1883 D. C. Murray Hearts (1885) x. 77 Mark was disposed to be wary after what had happened.
b. const. of.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [adjective]
warelyOE
warec1000
adviseda1325
averty1330
aware1340
ferdfula1382
well-advisedc1405
circumspect1430
hooly1513
fearful1526
curiousa1533
chary1542
wareful1548
cautelous1574
cauty1579
careful1580
wary1580
retentive1599
wary1599
ginger1600
circumstant1603
cautel1606
shya1616
cautionate1616
warisome1628
cautiousa1640
circumspectious1649
circumspectivea1674
gingerish1764
safe1874
pussy-footed1893
pussyfooting1926
risk-averse1961
risk-adverse1969
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 1 If trauailers in this our age were as warie of their conditions, as they be venterous of their bodyes.
1584 R. Greene Gwydonius f. 34v She which in her virginitie is charie of her chastitie, in her marriage wil be as warie of her honestie.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xxii. sig. Cv O therefore loue be of thy selfe so wary, As I not for my selfe, but for thee will. View more context for this quotation
1686 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 424 You Hadd Best Bee very wary of all yr words and Actions.
1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. vi. 73 A tradesman..ought to be very wary of taking too much credit.
1823 W. Scott Peveril II. v. 133 You have already seen enough of the evils of civil war, to be wary of again awakening its terrors in a peaceful and happy country.
1840 R. H. Barham Bagman's Dog in Ingoldsby Legends 1st Ser. 337 If ever you travel, like Anthony Blogg, Be wary of strangers!—don't take too much grog.
c. const. in. In early examples the sense of wary in is that now expressed by wary of: ‘to be wary in (doing something)’ = ‘to be wary of’, ‘to beware of’.
Π
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 55 Aduising his Lordship to be wary in crediting intelligences, which were commonly false.
1640 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 108 I am most wary in giving my father the least distast.
1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 290 Ever remember you be wary in pronouncing judgement touching weather and the alteration of the ayr.
a1674 Earl of Clarendon Brief View Leviathan (1676) 149 Nor was he more wary in any thing, then..that the people might imagine, that he pretended any other title to the Government, then by the Confessor.
c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 53 It cannot but highly concern us all to be very cautious and wary in the choice of our words.
a1682 Sir T. Browne Let. to Friend (1690) 5 A remarkable Coincidence, which tho Astrology hath taken witty pains to salve, yet hath it been very wary in making Predictions of it.
1754 Earl of Corke in J. Duncombe Lett. Several Eminent Persons Deceased (1773) III. 26 I want instructive companions, and in them I shall be very wary.
d. With indirect question. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. ii. v. sig. Eiii For surely as it [sc. time] is the greatest treasure which God hath giuen vnto man, so ought he to be uerie curious and warie how he bestoweth the same.
1602 W. S. True Chron. Hist. Ld. Cromwell sig. F2 Therefore take heed, be warie what you doe.
1622 T. Gataker Spirituall Watch (ed. 2) 83 [They] are wont to bee more wary and chary how they carry themselues in their affaires.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 5 They should be wary, where, and when they wash themselues.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) London 208 Thus men cannot be too wary what they inscribe on Tombs.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela (1824) I. i. 18 You ought to be wary what tales you send out of a family.
1812 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Paradiso xx. 125 O mortal men! be wary how ye judge.
e. With clause or infinitive of purpose. ? Obsolete.
Π
1668 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart Idea Perfection Painting 56 A Painter is here to be wary, that he introduce no other Figures of Men, or any Buildings in the Landskip.
a1674 Earl of Clarendon Brief View Leviathan (1676) 27 Without being in any degree wary to avoid palpable contradictions.
3. Of action, behaviour, observation, etc.: Proceeding from or characterized by caution.
ΘΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > caution > [adjective] > specifically of actions or things
circumspect1422
well-kept1486
wary1557
cautionary1605
cautionating1654
guarded1709
gingerly1755
well-guarded1781
1557 Ld. Shrewsbury in Lodge Illustr. Brit. Hist. (1791) I. 283 The L. Wardeyn who..is..instructyd by good cyrcumspeccion, & waree doing to shewe [blank] to th' enymye, in anoying hym, & defendyng of the countrey.
1579 E. Hake Newes out of Powles Churchyarde newly Renued vii. sig. F8 v Common Innes they [sc. bawds] watch with warie eye If that..they may..espye The country maides that come from far.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. I2v If it be deemed once fit for you to marrye againe, and that vpon the warie and circumspect choice therof dependeth a maner of necessitye.
1587 A. Day Longus's Daphnis & Chloe sig. A1v With so tender & warie touch, as yt with her hoofs going in, she might no wayes hurte the babe.
1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres iii. xxxvi. sig. O3 Sober, milde Blunt..warnes a warier cariage in the thing.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. i. sig. G2 When will the Duke..Keepe warie obseruation in large pay, To dogge a fooles act?
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxv. 270 Yet a warie care must be had, that hee be vsed with respect by the Master.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. viii. 30 If any man..shall carry a wary eye on Paulus Venetus..and many other, I think his circumspection is laudable. View more context for this quotation
1653 T. Gataker Vindic. Annot. Jer. 10.2 55 No Delphik Oracle..could ever have given a wiser and warier answer.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxii. 161 The wary letting in the Air upon them.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. v. 205 When they appear, upon a more wary survey, to be nothing else but an Artifice of the Understanding.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 91. ⁋2 Crastin professes a wary Observation of the Turns of his Mistress's Mind.
a1732 F. Atterbury Serm. Several Occas. (1734) I. 277 To read that Sacred Volume, with a Wise Jealousy, and a Wary Distrust of our own selves.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. vii. 136 I shall keep a wary eye upon all that passes in the chateau.
1821 C. Lamb in London Mag. Sept. 281/1 L. who had a wary foresight of his probable hallucinations.
1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville III. 111 It was necessary, also, to keep a wary eye upon the land, for they were..continually in reach of any ambush that might be lurking on shore.
ΘΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [adjective]
sparingc1386
savingc1440
husbandlya1450
husbandlike1542
spareful1565
chary1570
dainty1576
partial1576
spare1577
parsimonious?1591
spary1601
scant1603
wary1605
frugala1616
spare-handed1626
squeasy1628
canny1725
scrimp1728
scrimping1823
sparesome1864
stinting1867
hard-arsed1893
1605 London Prodigall i. ii. 159 I knewe your father, he was a wary husband.
a1657 W. Mure Hist. Rowallane 244 Wnless he had been both stout, warrie, and provident in the turbulent times quherin he lived, he could hardlie have maintained quhat his father had recovered.
1709 S. Centlivre Busie Body i. i. 9 I knew thy Father, he was a hearty wary Man, and I cannot consent that his Son should squander away what he sav'd, to no purpose.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 91. ⁋1 I have, by leading a very wary Life, laid up a little Money.
1812 H. Smith & J. Smith Rejected Addr. 119 Jews from St. Mary Axe, for jobs so wary, That for old cloaths they'd even axe St. Mary.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† waryv.
Obsolete.
1. absolute.c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 13 Þo ministris of þe kirke..owe boþe to curse and wari, but neuer for iuil wille ne veniaunce, but for luf of ritwisnes.
a. transitive. To invoke a curse upon; to declare accursed; to pour maledictions upon.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > state of being accursed > [verb (transitive)]
waryc725
accurselOE
for-waryc1175
cursec1200
bana1275
beshrewc1325
shrew1338
maledighta1400
destinyc1400
damn1477
detest1533
beshrompa1549
widdle1552
becurse1570
malison1588
execrate1612
imprecate1613
maledict1780
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)]
waryc725
accurselOE
forcurse1154
cursec1175
for-waryc1175
bana1275
ashend1297
to bid (something) misadventurec1330
shrew1338
beshrew1377
maledighta1400
to fare (also go, come) to mischancec1400
defyc1430
destinya1450
condemn1489
detest1533
adjure1539
beshrompa1549
widdle1552
becurse1570
malison1588
consecrate1589
exaugurate1600
execrate1612
imprecate1616
blasta1634
damna1640
vote1644
to swear at ——1680
devote1749
maledict1780
comminate1801
bless1814
peste1824
cuss1863
bedamn1875
mugger1951
society > faith > worship > excommunication > excommunicate [verb (transitive)]
waryc725
cursec1050
amanseOE
accurselOE
forcurse1154
mansec1175
ban1303
sequester1395
maledighta1400
anathematize?1473
excommune1483
excommenge1502
excommunicate1526
precide1529
aban1565
anathemize1585
malison1588
consecrate1589
inknot1611
shammatize1613
anathemate1615
unchurcha1620
innodate1630
discommon1639
to swear at ——1680
devote1749
maledict1780
comminate1801
fulminate1806
imban1807
dischurch1990
c725 Corpus Gloss. D 25 Deuotaturus, wergendi.
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xlix. 376 Se þe his hwæte hyt, hiene wiergð ðæt folc.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) v. 11 Eadige synd ge þonne hig wyriað eow and ehtað eow.
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 131/3 Deuoto, ic wyrge.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 183 Iuele wurmes mote þe chewe.., rotie mote þu to time. þus wareð þe sowle þe licame, for þat hit haueð þar after ierned.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 319 Þe Inglis men were wone, to wery long trayne.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 7422 Þai salle wery þe tyme þat þai war wroght.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 1619 And Poliphete þey gonnen þus to waryen An-honged be swych on were he my broþer.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1378 My Ioye in wo I kan seye yow naught ellis Bot torned is, for which my lif I warie.
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxxviii. 65 Thus is the kynge of his people waryed, and cursid.
c1440 Rel. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. xiv. 195 Than thay wepede and weryede þaire werke and þaire wyll.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 530 It is an adversarie To every seed, now everie birdde hem warie!
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 516/2 Waryyn', or cursyn', imprecor, maledico, execror.
c1470 J. Hardyng Chron. cciii. iv The commens all than of all Englande grounde, Warred his gate [v.r. cursed his viage] to Wales euery yere.
a1500 Ratis Raving 1994 For-thi I bles it [this age] nocht as best, Na yit I wary it nocht as verst.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. xxxiii Consyder this prouerbe of antyquyte And your vnkyndnes weray ban and curse.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. vi. 188 Thus oft the pepill but ansueir gayis thair wayis, And wariis the sait of Sibyll all thair dayis.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 954 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 124 He waryit ye tyde That he was wrocht in yis warld wofull in weire.
?a1525 (?a1475) Play Sacrament l. 559 in N. Davis Non-Cycle Plays & Fragm. (1970) 75 Now alle þe deuyllys of hell hym wari.
?1572 R. Sempill Premonitioun Barnis of Leith (single sheet) Than sall thay warie curse & ban The murtherars yat yir weiris began.
a1600 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xxi. 25 O! waryit be the vhyle That euer we wer acquent!
a1605 A. Montgomerie Sonnets (1887) xxxiii. 1 Vhom suld I warie bot my wicked weard.
1671 S. Skinner & T. Henshaw Etymologicon Linguæ Anglicanæ To Wary, vox agro Lanc. familiaris quæ significat Maledicere.
?1748 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. (ed. 2) 17 Theyr'n warrying, banning, on cawing one onother leawsy Eawls, os thick os leet.
b. To pronounce a formal curse against. (Said of God, the Church, etc.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)] > pronounce formal curse against
cursea1154
warya1352
a1352 L. Minot Poems App. ii. 214 Weried with Goddes mowth mai ȝe warand.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 22103 Oure lorde warieþ þese two townes And thus seiþ..Corozaym euer be þe wo And þe bethsaida eke also.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 14 Þe kirke..mai not iustli wari him, ne pray iuil to him.
c1480 (a1400) St. Barnabas 157 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 253 & þare tempyl waryt he [sc. Barnabas] quhare-in sik men had entre.
1562 Aberd. Kirk Session Rec. (Spalding Club) 7 God commandis fader and moder to be honored..cursing and wareyng all brekaris of this commandment.
2. To speak impiously or profanely against; to blaspheme.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)] > swear or use profanity
waryc1000
spew?c1225
flavour1542
vomit1592
spawl1640
cuss1831
explete1902
adjective1906
society > faith > worship > sacrilege > blasphemy > blaspheme [verb (transitive)]
waryc1000
cursec1050
lastc1225
forswearc1325
blasphemea1382
mansweara1500
c1000 Ælfric Leviticus xxiv. 16 Se man, þe wirigð drihtnes naman, swelte he deaðe.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter lxxxviii. 31 Si iusticias meas prophanauerint..If thai wery my rightwisnesis.
c1480 (a1400) St. James Great 226 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 103 Bot þu wary þe name of criste Ihesu,..þu sal be vnheidyt.
a1500 Ratis Raving 3411 Wary nocht god for thi mischans.
3. To afflict with evils or calamities: = curse v. 5. Chiefly as past participle, also in waried worth (it, them, etc.) = may it, they, be afflicted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > suffer (adversity or affliction) [verb (transitive)] > afflict > affect or visit with adversity
followOE
waryc1200
hita1400
remord?c1400
visit1424
to lead (a person) the measures1594
conflict1609
to lead a person a life1715
overhit1816
put1841
to put (a person) through it1855
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > cause mental pain or suffering to [verb (transitive)] > may it or they be afflicted
waried worthc1200
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 181 For þat þu ete þat ich þe forboden hadde, waried wurðe þe eorðe on þine werke.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 920 Þe werld es werid wit þi sin.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 203 Whan God took wreche of Kaymes synne, Þe erthe was waryed in his werk.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter ix. 24 The wickid that noyes til his neghtbure es blissid,..thof he ware better worthi to be werid.
a1400 Morte Arth. 959 Weryd worthe the wyghte ay, that the thy wytt refede.
c1400 Laud Troy Book 6373 Waried worth hem vs hedir broght!
c1420 Wyntoun Cron. i. iv. 15 Adam worthit to wyn his fud Off þe erd þat warite was.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12212 Thurgh the craft of þat cursed, knighthode may shame And wary all oure workes to the worldes end.
1597 J. S. tr. G. Boccaccio Statelie Tragedie Guistard & Sismond in Cert. Worthye Manvscr. Poems B ij Cursed might he be and waried eternally.
4. absol. or intransitive. To utter a curse or curses.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (intransitive)]
awariec825
wary?c1225
bana1400
condemnc1460
imprecatea1645
execrate1786
peste1824
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 58 Ȝe ne schule for nane warien ne swerien.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 141 Ne wreoke ȝe naut ow seoluen..ne warien hwenne Me gulteð wið ow.
a1300 E.E. Psalter lxi. 5 With þaire mouth þan blissed þai, And with þair hert þai weried ai.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1288 And, ȝe wyuys,..werryþ nat for lytyl trespas.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 234 Þei grucchen aȝen, & cursen & warien nyȝt & day.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxvi. 74 Thanne he began to warye and swere, that he knewe nat the man.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 92 Whanne þou warowyst, chydest, betyst, & faryst as a wood man.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Gii What begger art thou yt thus doth banne and wary.
1534 Prymer in Eng. sig. G.iiij Than began he to banne to wary, and to forswere hym selfe styfly.
?1553 (c1501) G. Douglas Palice of Honour (London) iii. l. 2103 in Shorter Poems (1967) 128 Thus I remanyt..Cursand the feildis with all the fare coullouris, That I awolk oft wariand the quhyle.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 30 The peopill began to warie and curs that evir it chanceit theme to leiwe in sick wicked and dangerous tymes.
?1748 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. (ed. 2) 18 He glooart awvishly ot Mezzil-fease: On Mezzil-fease glendurt os wrythenly ot him ogen; bot noather warrit, nor thrapt.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [noun] > action of saying
cursingc950
waryingc1200
accursinga1382
execration1382
cursement1393
banninga1400
malloka1400
malediction1447
comminationa1464
imprecation1589
the mind > goodness and badness > state of being accursed > curse > [noun] > action of saying
cursingc950
waryingc1200
accursinga1382
execration1382
cursement1393
banninga1400
malediction1447
detestation?a1475
imprecation1589
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 177 Þe oreguil and þe wraððe of kinges..þe..bringen on þe folkes heorte grete stormes..of hatienge, and on here muðe curses, and werȝinges.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 179 Ne wrec þu þe mid wussinge, ne mid warienge, ac heald me þe wrache.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 150 Þe vicorne of wraððe..haueð .vi. hwelpes... þe feorðe is wariunge.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter ix. 29 Cuius malediccione os plenum est,..Whas mouth is ful of weriynge & bitternes & treson.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 516/2 Waryynge, malediccio, imprecacio.
c1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 20 This Balaam thoght to hynder gods folk be werying.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. ii. f. 8 It war to lang to reherse heir all the malesonis waryingis or cursingis.
a1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archæol. Soc.) I. 286 It is verie strange how those abortiue statists,..makes noe scruple of the fearfull sworde of waringe excommunication, too often unsheathed against them.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.OE
adj.1552v.c725