wryn.
/rʌɪ/, U.S. /raɪ/ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > obliquely [phrase] > askew
on or upon wry1423
clean cam (kam)1579
out of straight1678
on the jee1893
1423 Kingis Quair lxxiii To the colde stone my hede on wrye I laid.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 705 Thair bemys strekit air, Owthir all evin, or on wry.
a1513 W. Dunbar Flyting in Poems (1998) I. 206 With hingit luik, ay wallowand vpone wry.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) III. 482 Scho..turnis hir face and luikis vpoune wry.
2. A twisting or tortuous movement.
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > [noun] > an act of
wresta1400
wringa1500
throwa1522
writhe1611
wry1616
twistlea1796
squinch1893
1616 G. Markham tr. C. Estienne et al. Maison Rustique (rev. ed.) vii. xxii. 674 The bitch being much lesse than the dogge..may haue some aduantage.., and so in turnes, slips, and wries, may get much ground.
1654 R. Vilvain tr. Enchiridium Epigr. v. xliii The Sea flows and ebbs with crooked wry.
3. Distortion caused by refraction. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > [noun] > distortion caused by refraction
wry1869
1869 R. D. Blackmore Lorna Doone I. vii. 76 You make full sure to prog him [sc. a loach] well, in spite of the wry of the water.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
wryadj.adv.
/rʌɪ/, U.S. /raɪ/ A. adj.
1.
a. Of the features, neck, etc.: Abnormally deflected, bent, or turned to one side; in a contorted state or form; distorted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > deformity > [adjective] > contorted
wry1523
gnarleda1854
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. xi. 4 b/2 Henry Erle of Lancastre with the wrye necke, called Torte colle.
c1530 Court of Love 1162 For they their members lakked, fote and hand, With visage wry and blind.
1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca Miriones, men hauynge wry mouthes.
1614 T. Overbury et al. Characters in Wife now Widdow sig. D3v He will halt or weare a wry neck.
a1637 B. Jonson tr. Horace Art of Poetrie 52 in Wks. (1640) III With faire black eyes, and haire; and a wry nose.
1663 Unfort. Usurper i. iii. 6 In wry-neck'd Nero's Court, a wry-neck was the mode.
1705 London Gaz. No. 4097/4 He likewise cures Hair Lips and Wry Necks.
1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne 138 Some of the disqualifications for priest's orders were..wry-noses [etc.].
1819 A. Rees Cycl. XXXVIII. (at cited word) A remedy for wry-necks.
1860 A. Leighton Curious Storied Trad. Sc. Life 224 The round cheek and wry lip, betokening his love of fun.
1861 ‘G. Eliot’ Silas Marner i. 4 Their dreadful stare could dart cramp, or rickets, or a wry mouth at any boy.
b. Temporarily twisted, contorted, or writhed by reason or in manifestation of disrelish, disgust, or the like. Frequently in the phrase to make (draw, pull) a wry face or mouth (wry faces or mouths).
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > look expressive of displeasure or dislike > [adjective]
wry1598
1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence Eunuch iv. iv, in Terence in Eng. 159 Howe the hangman makes a wrie mouth.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Caravirée, a wry-mouthed, or wry-faced wench; or one that often makes wry mouthes, or ill fauoured wry faces.
1616 B. Jonson Cynthias Revels (rev. ed.) v. ii, in Wks. I. 237 The bitter Bob in wit; the Reuerse in face, or wry-mouth.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 208 Causing..a certain Buffoon..to make wry~faces and shew a thousand postures.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Relapse Pref. sig. A2v Saints..with screw'd Faces and wry Mouths.
1712 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 17 June (1948) II. 539 Flap ee hand, & make wry mouth ee self.
1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy III. x. 35 With a wry face..[he] read aloud, as follows.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. i. 22 He..made a wry face, and returned it.
1783 ‘P. Pindar’ More Lyric Odes to Royal Academicians i. 5 Won with such wry mouths, and wrigling pain.
1802 T. Beddoes Hygëia I. iii. 55 Hardly daring to draw a wry face at any thing offered them.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby viii. 68 Making a variety of wry mouths indicative of any thing but satisfaction.
1876 R. Broughton Joan I. i. i. 3 A physic draugh to be quickly swallowed with wry faces.
1884 R. C. Praed Zéro xiii Each guest drank, made a wry face.
c. Of a smile, etc.: Made with a twisting of the features expressing dislike or distaste; ‘twisted’.
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > look expressive of displeasure or dislike > [adjective] > of a smile
wry1883
1883 D. C. Murray Hearts xxvi He only shook his head with a wry smile and declined a verbal answer.
1899 E. W. Hornung Dead Men xviii He turned to me with a wry smile.
2. in extended use.1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 28 For Age and Winter accord full nie, This chill, that cold; this crooked that wrye.1776 E. M. da Costa Elements Conchol. 211 The gutter or beak..bends or falls on the back, in a wry manner.1895 Pall Mall Gaz. 25 Oct. 5/1 Their chanting in church is so wry that it makes you start.figurative.a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) i. sig. G6v Sometimes to her newes of my selfe to tell I go about, but then is all my best Wry words, and stam'ring, or els doltish dombe.
a. That has undergone twisting, contortion, or deflection; wrung out of shape; twisted, crooked, bent.
ΘΠ
the world > space > shape > misshapenness > [adjective] > of or relating to distortion > distorted
wrongwende?c1225
writhenc1475
thrawnc1494
tort1513
encrampised1523
wry1552
thraw?1553
contort1570
wried1576
writhed1578
turned1585
distort1588
tortured1603
wrested1609
contorted1622
distorted1635
twisted1830
wreathed1844
gnarled1851
squinched1899
contortioned1922
pretzelled1938
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Wrye, or disfourmed, or out of fashion, distortus.
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 6v The membre becommeth lame and wrye.
1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits viii. 113 Such..men..take dislike at any one wry plait of their garment.
1614 T. Overbury et al. Characters in Wife now Widdow sig. Dv Her wry little finger, bewrayes caruing.
1622 R. Preston Godly Mans Inquisit. 47 Peter was shent for walking with a wry foote to the Gospell.
1751 F. Coventry Hist. Pompey the Little ii. xiii. 241 A wry Plait in the Sleeve of his Shirt.
1851 London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. 4th Ser. 1 133 The two pairs of planes, into which the wry quadrilateral was divisible.
1880 G. Meredith Tragic Comedians I. v. 97 The timbers of their huts lean to an upright in wry splinters.
b. Deflected from a straight course; inclined or turned to one side. Also in figurative context. wry look, one expressive of displeasure or dislike. So wry twist (of the features).
ΘΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > [adjective] > deviating from straight course
wrongc1440
swerving1534
wrya1586
wriedc1595
diverted1608
dissilient1656
deviatory1702
out-of-the-waya1732
tangent1787
wide1827
deflected1860
tangential1867
deviative1878
deviating1883
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > look expressive of displeasure or dislike > [noun]
wry looka1586
wry twist1856
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xviii. 330 I take to witnesse the happiest Courtiers that are, whether one wrye looke of their Prince do not sting them more at the heart, than [etc.].
1613 W. Browne Britannia's Pastorals I. ii. 39 As Tavy..mongst the Woods doth wander, Losing himselfe in many a wry Meander.
1615–6 J. Boys Wks. (1630) 183 If he run in wrie-wayes and bye-wayes, the more his labour.
1719 F. Atterbury Serm. (1734) II. 77 Every wry Step, by which he imagines himself to have declined from the Path of Duty.
1748 W. Cowper Verses written at Bath 28 Flatt'ning the stubborn clod, till cruel time,..on a wry step, Sever'd the strict cohesion.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. at Contortion Twist; wry motion; flexure.
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxx. 258 Here he..said to the stranger, with his wryest twist upon him, ‘Your commands’.
1864 J. C. Geikie Life in Woods v. 75 My eldest brother..had cast many wry looks at the thick logs.
1872 C. Gibbon For King xxii His features gave a wry twist.
3. † b. Of persons: Perverse, cross. Obsolete. rare.
a. Of words, thoughts, etc.: Contrary to that which is right, fitting, or just; aberrant, wrong; cross, ill-natured.
ΘΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > moral impropriety > [adjective]
unbecomelyc1200
uncomelyc1230
unseemlya1300
unsetec1325
unseemly1338
unconablea1340
unseeminga1340
uncovenablec1374
unsitting1390
undue1398
ungainanda1400
unseemc1425
unjustc1443
unconvenient1450
unsoundablec1450
unhonestc1503
inconvenienta1513
mis-seeminga1522
unconvenable1542
undecent1546
graceless1562
unsetting1567
indecent1570
misbecoming1589
misbeseeming1589
uncouth1589
unbeseeming1593
seemless1596
unbecoming1598
unbefitting1598
wry1601
disbecominga1639
unbeseemly1648
improper1739
ugly1879
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > [adjective] > characterized by ill nature
crabbed1362
crabbishc1485
wry1601
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. iii. sig. E Hee's one, I would not haue awry thought darted against. View more context for this quotation
1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 40 Thus were [they]..wont to think, without any wry thoughts cast u[po]n divine governance.
1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. viii. v, in Wks. 238 All this together might have Aton'd..for a Wry Word or Two.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy I. iv. 13 Which strange combination of ideas..produced more wry actions than all other sources of prejudice.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. iii. 36 Art thou not a hasty coxcomb, to pick up a wry word so wrathfully?
1856 G. H. Boker Betrothal i. i, in Plays & Poems II. 3 Why this argument? I have heard ten thousand,..yet never Knew one wry notion straightened by them all.
1886 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David VII. Ps. cxxxiii. Introd. In this psalm there is no wry word.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > [adjective]
stour1303
thwarta1325
elvishc1386
wrawc1386
wrawfulc1386
crabbeda1400
crousea1400
cursedc1400
doggeda1425
currishc1460
disagreeable1474
dour1488
thrawn1488
terne?1507
apirsmarta1522
crustyc1570
incommodious1570
bilious1571
mischievous-stomached1577
thrawn-faced1578
thrawn-mowit1578
wearisha1586
shrewish1596
rhubarbative1600
crabbish1606
ill-tempereda1616
cur-like1627
thrawn-faceda1628
terned1638
cross1639
splenial1641
frumpish1647
wry1649
bad-tempered1671
hot-tempered1673
sidy1673
ugly1687
ornery1692
cankerya1699
ramgunshoch1721
cantankerousc1736
frumpy1746
unhappy1756
grumpy1778
crabby1791
grumpish1797
thraw-gabbit18..
snarlish1813
cranky1821
stuntya1825
ill-natured1825
nattery1825
rantankerous1832
foul-tempered1835
cacochymical1836
as cross as two sticks1842
grumphy1846
knappy1855
carnaptious1858
cussed1858
three-cornered1863
snotty1870
sniffy1871
snorty1893
grouchy1895
scratchy1925
tight1950
stroppy1951
snitty1978
arsey1989
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > perverse
wharfedc1175
thwart-over?c1225
fromwardc1275
thwarta1325
wilgernc1325
contrariousa1340
froward1340
rebours1340
awaywarda1375
overthwartc1384
protervec1384
waywardc1384
arsewardc1386
wrawc1386
wrawfulc1386
crabbeda1400
ungraitha1400
wraweda1400
awklyc1400
perversec1425
awkc1440
perversiosec1475
crooked1508
wrayward1516
awkward1530
difficilec1533
peevish1539
protervous1547
overthwarting1552
untowardly1561
difficult1589
cross1594
cama1600
frowish1601
awkwardish1613
haggardly1635
pigheadeda1637
cross-grained1647
wry1649
crossfulc1680
thwarting1718
kim-kama1734
wronghead1737
piggish1742
witherly1790
top-thrawn1808
contrary1850
cussed1858
three-cornered1863
thwarteous1890
bloody-minded1935
1649 F. Roberts Clavis Bibliorum (ed. 2) 190 With pure, thy self-thou-pure-wilt-show; And with the froward, wilt-be-wry.
c. Wrested; perverted; distorted.
ΘΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > [adjective]
corruptc1386
racked1546
detorted?1550
wrested1551
writhen1551
writhed1562
forced1583
tortured1603
strained1609
distorted1641
violented1641
crook1647
extorted1652
refracted1655
madly wrested1656
wry1663
corrupted1699
non-natural1844
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. ii. 105 He was..Next Rectifier of Wry Law.
1687 F. Atterbury Answer Considerations Spirit Luther 3 He mangles and puts a wry sense upon protestant writers.
1896 ‘Iota’ Quaker Grandmother 290 Poor boy, he meant, what seemed to his wry mind, honestly towards you!
4. Marked or characterized by perversion, unfairness, or injustice.
ΘΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > unjustness > [adjective]
unrighteOE
unrightfulOE
wrongousa1200
wrongfulc1311
unevenc1380
unjustc1384
untrue1393
injustc1430
unreasonablec1440
unduec1450
inique1521
unequal1535
wry1561
undeserved?c1570
justless1578
unrighted1608
unequitable1643
inequitable1667
unfair1724
iniquitablea1734
unsportsmanlike1754
unsportsmanly1776
unsporting1859
below the belt1892
red-hot1896
society > morality > rightness or justice > wrong or injustice > [adjective]
unrighteOE
unrightfulOE
wronga1275
wrongfulc1325
wrongous1357
unjustc1384
untrue1393
injustc1430
unreasonablec1440
unconscionable1492
injuriousa1513
wry1561
justless1578
iniquous1655
iniquitous1726
1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc i. i My lordes, be playne, without all wrie respect Or poysonous craft to speake in pleasyng wise.
1593 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiæ in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) iv. pr. v. 89 When cheefely geayle, lawe & other tormentes..be turnd in wry sorte, & wickedest payne doo presse good men.
1852 W. E. Gladstone Functions of Laymen in Church 25 By influence individuals of a class will be powerful here and there, under any system, however cross and wry.
B. adv.
In an oblique manner, course, or direction; awry.
ΘΠ
the world > space > direction > [adverb] > off the direct line > obliquely
asidec1369
aslanta1400
slant1495
obliquely1503
asklenta1540
askew1565
slantingly1570
slantwise1573
wry1575
bias?1578
askance1590
askant1602
slantinga1625
asquint1645
across1700
slantly1719
akimboc1796
slantways1828
aslantwise1852
slantingways1899
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > sideways movement or a sideways movement > [adverb] > obliquely
aslanta1400
sideslepes?a1400
embelifc1400
slant1495
obliquely1503
slantling?1521
askance1530
asklenta1540
biaswise1545
askew1565
wry1575
bias?1578
slentwise1579
overthwartly1591
asquint1645
transversally1648
aslope1667
slantways1828
skeow-ways1869
slantingways1899
1575 A. Fleming tr. Virgil Bucolics iv. 12 Vnto thee, O childe, ye ground..First offringes yuie wandring wrye [L. errantes hederas], in euerye place shall yeald.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. ii. 67 In these doubts much rather rest had I, Then with mine errour drawe my Reader wrye.
1614 J. Sylvester Parl. Vertues Royall 706 A fair Ship..wants..A skilfull Pilot,..That never wry shee sail.
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Wry,.. on one side, not straight.
1886 R. E. G. Cole Gloss. Words S.-W. Lincs. 169 It's not very pleasant, when things all go wry.
Compounds
a. wry-angled, wry-eyed, wry-guided, wry-legged, wry-looked, wry-toothed; wry-blown; wry-formed, wry-set.
Π
1593 in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) IV. 212 A seduced king,..and wry-guided kingdom.
1602 Withals' Dict. 286/2 That is crooke-footed, or wry-legged.
1604 F. T. Case is Altered sig. C2v There was an old man,..stumpe-footed, wry-bodied, gagge-toothed, slandering-tongue.
1648 J. Quarles Fons Lachrymarum 34 There is no..wry-look'd enemy T'upbraid thy actions.
1845 W. Youatt Dog iv. 103 A small breed of wry-legged terriers.
1883 Longman's Mag. Aug. 381 The wry-eyed, spectacled schoolmaster.
1883 J. S. Stallybrass tr. J. Grimm Teutonic Mythol. III. 1075 Wry-toothed..beldams.
1897 H. N. Howard Footsteps Proserpine 16 The sea-brine beats on the wry-blown toft.
1905 A. T. Sheppard Red Cravat ii. vii. 120 Their outlines..of twisted chimneys, wry-set doors.
1906 T. Hardy Dynasts: Pt. 2nd v. vi. 234 What lewd noise mouth those wry-formed phantoms there?
1937 E. Blunden Elegy 90 The rough walls back to Chaucer reach, Near windowless, mountain-roofed, wry-angled.
b. † wry-neb n. Obsolete a curvirostral fossil animal.† wry-stroke n. figurative Obsolete (see quot.).
wry-bill n. the wry-billed plover ( Anarhynchus frontalis), native to New Zealand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Charadriiformes > [noun] > family Charadriidae > anarhynchus frontalis (wry-bill)
wry-bill1896
1896 A. Newton et al. Dict. Birds: Pt. IV 1053 Wrybill, Anarhynchus frontalis, [is] one of the most singular birds known, peculiar to New Zealand.
wry-billed adj. having a bill deflected to one side (see wry-bill n.). wry-billed plover n. the wry-bill of New Zealand, Anarhynchus frontalis.
Π
1873 W. L. Buller Birds N.Z. 216 Anarhynchus frontalis, Wry-billed Plover.
1889 Parker Catal. N.Z. Exhib. 116 The curious wry-billed plover..[is] the only bird..in which the bill is turned..to one side—the right.
1890 Cent. Dict. at Plover Wry-billed plover.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > head and neck > [noun] > snout > beak > fossil animal having curved beak
wry-neb1708
1708 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 26 78 Curvirostra, the Wry-neb.
Π
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. 360 A Prior without a Posterior having none..after him to succeed in his place. We behold him only as the wry-stroak given in by us out of courtesie, when the game was up before.
wry-tail n. a deformity in poultry, characterized by deflection of the tail to one side.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of birds > [noun] > disorders of poultry
roup1551
squeck1577
gargil1614
roup1614
the gapes1799
garget1817
snifters1844
white comb1853
bumble foot1854
wry-tail1880
blackhead1894
bacillary white diarrhoea1909
limber-neck1910
(avian or fowl) leucosis complex1922
pullorum1929
perosis1931
fowl paralysis1932
scissor beak1934
blue comb1939
hexamitiasis1941
pullet disease1941
Marek's disease1947
new wheat disease1950
X disease1950
sour crop1951
fowl cholera-
1880 L. Wright Illustr. Bk. Poultry 201 Wry-tail..is in many cases owing to spinal causes, and in all such should be ruthlessly stamped out.
Draft additions 1993
Dryly or obliquely humorous; sardonic, ironic.
ΘΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > wit with words > irony > [adjective]
ironical1536
ironized1596
ironic1614
wry1928
tongue-in-cheek1933
1928 E. O'Neill Strange Interlude ii. 46 He smiles with a wry amusement for a second.
1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 23 Jan. 44/1 His account of that heredity is wry, humorous, and outsider-ish. His Jewish ancestry has its roots in Poland and Slovakia.
1965 A. Lurie Nowhere City x. 99 Paul became..more aware of Walter's patience, automotive knowledgability, and even a kind of wry charm.
1989 Times Lit. Suppl. 7 July 738/4 The collection provides a series of sharp, often wry, accounts of human relationships about to go wrong.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
wryv.1
/rʌɪ/, U.S. /raɪ/ Obsolete exc. dialect.† 1. figurative.c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 1686 Þe feend,..with many a circumstaunce Ful sly, him castiþ þe wrappe in & wrye.† 2. † b. To put trappings or armour on (a horse); to caparison, trap, harness. Obsolete.† 3. reflexive.c1230 Hali Meid. (1922) 66 Ȝef þu wel wrist te under godes wengen.13.. K. Alis. 2786 With targes, and hurdices, Theo Gregeis heom wryed als the wise.c1330 Amis & Amil. 2333 He..in a bed him dight, And wreighe him wel warm aplight, With clothes.c1400 Rom. Rose 6795 I haue..wel leuer..wrie me in my foxerie Vnder a cope of paperlardie.1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 175 Wyth hir mantyl he [sc. a child] dede hym wrye.c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 265 He leyd hym in his bed,..he wryed hym.absolute.c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 140 Þe chylderyn of mannys gettyng Vnder þi weengys, god, wrying, In hope schul be gyed!† b. To conceal or hide (a matter, etc.); to keep secret or unrevealed. Obsolete.reflexive.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 329 And ay of loues seruantz euery while, Hym-self to wre, at hem he gan to smyle.† c. To disguise (a person). Obsolete. rare.† 4. † b. To cover or stretch over (an expanse of ground). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To lay, place, or spread a cover over (something); to overlay with some covering; to cover up or over. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > spread or draw over (a thing) as covering for > bespread or cover with
wryc950
bredeOE
bridgeOE
bespreadc1275
couchc1330
spreadc1330
cover1382
overspreadc1385
overlaya1400
overcast1440
to draw overc1450
ramplish1494
to lay over1535
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xiv. 65 Ongunnun summe efnegespitta..hine &..wriga onsione his.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 47 Forþi wes ihaten on godes laȝe þet put were iwriȝen eauer.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13904 Þe while he wurchen lette..ane cheste longe and wreon heo al mid golde.
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 7781 Þe toppe [of a tower] mihte wreie on cniht mid his cope.
c1366 Romaunt Rose 56 Ther is neither busk nor hay In May that it nyl shrouded bene And it with newe leues wrene.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 2040 The maister streete That sprad was al with blak and wonder hye Right of the same is the strete ywrye.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 348 With marbil or with tile thy floryng wrie.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xiii. 47 The vessel fild be closid clene or wrie.
1499 Promptorium Parvulorum (Pynson) sig. tiv/2 Wryyn or hyllyn, tego.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Wry, to cover close.
b. To cover or rake up (a fire) so as to keep it alive. (Cf. rake v.2 5) Now dialect.Cf. Ovid Met. iv. 64 ‘Quoque magis tegitur, tanto magis aestuat ignis’; also French ‘Le feu plus couvert est le plus ardant’ (Cotgrave at Feu).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > burn or consume by fire [verb (transitive)] > make a fire > keep fire going > by covering with ashes or small coal
rekec1330
wryc1374
rakea1398
rake1530
to damp down1869
bank1923
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 539 Wel þe hottere ben þe gledes rede, That men hym wrien with asshe pale and dede.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Thisbe. 735 As wry the glede & hettere is the fyr; Forbede a loue and it is ten so wod.
a1895 in W. Rye Gloss. Words E. Anglia 251.
a. To cover (a person) with a garment (or armour); to clothe, attire. Also reflexive. Occasionally in figurative context. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)]
wrya901
clothec950
shride971
aturnc1220
begoa1225
array1297
graith1297
agraithc1300
geara1325
cleadc1325
adightc1330
apparel1362
back1362
shape1362
attirea1375
parela1375
tirea1375
rayc1390
addressa1393
coverc1394
aguisea1400
scredea1400
shrouda1400
bedightc1400
buskc1400
harnessc1400
hatterc1400
revesta1449
able1449
dressa1450
reparel?c1450
adub?1473
endue?a1475
afaite1484
revestera1500
beclothe1509
trimc1516
riga1535
invest1540
vesture1555
suit1577
clad1579
investure1582
vest1582
deck1587
habit1594
to make ready1596
caparison1597
skin1601
shadow1608
garment1614
riga1625
raiment1656
garb1673
equip1695
to fit out1722
encase1725
tog1793
trick1821
to fig out1825
enclothe1832
toilet1842
to get up1858
habilitate1885
tailor1885
kit1919
a901 Ælfred in B. Thorpe Anc. Laws Eng. (1840) I. 52 Gif mon næbbe buton anfeald hrægl hine mid to wreonne oþþe to werianne.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxv. 36 Ic wæs..nacod & gie clæðdon uel gie wrigon meh.
OE Genesis 1572 Þæt he ne mihte..hine handum self mid hrægle wryon.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2246 Tuo hondred kniȝtes al so, Wel ywrie wiþ þe atyl.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1148 Wrye me with sum cloþe.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 380 Swych loue of frendes regneth al þis town, And wre yow in þat mantel euere mo.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Dido. 1201 Dido al in gold & perre wrye.
c1400 Rom. Rose 6684 Of his hondwerk wolde he gete Clothes to wryne hym.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > armour for horse > armour horse [verb (transitive)]
wry1297
barda1521
cooperize1586
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [verb (transitive)] > trap or caparison
wry1297
trap13..
house?a1513
caparison1597
entrap1654
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1281 Mid vif hondred hors iwrie..Þe erl of kent was in a wode him vor to awreke.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2052, 4076, 4096, etc.
14.. Sir Beues (C.) 4145 + 13 Þauȝe þat hors were with yren wrye Syr Befyse smote clene a way.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 1606 Þer men miȝtten quyk yseen Many hors wiþ trappen wryen.
a1400 Sir Beues (A.) 3761 Beues..seȝ þe strete ful aboute Of stedes wrien [v.r. ytrapped] and armes briȝt.
a. To cover (a thing, or person) so as to protect, keep warm, or conceal. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > be safe [verb (intransitive)] > seek safety by concealment
wryOE
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, lie or hidden [verb (intransitive)]
mitheeOE
wryOE
darea1225
skulka1300
hidec1330
hulkc1330
dilla1400
droopc1420
shroudc1450
darkenc1475
conceal1591
lie1604
dern1608
burrow1614
obscurea1626
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1701
lie close1719
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, conceal [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
forhelec888
i-hedec888
dernc893
hidec897
wryOE
behelec1000
behidec1000
bewryc1000
forhidec1000
overheleOE
hilla1250
fealc1325
cover1340
forcover1382
blinda1400
hulsterc1400
overclosec1400
concealc1425
shroud1426
blend1430
close1430
shadow1436
obumber?1440
mufflea1450
alaynec1450
mew?c1450
purloin1461
to keep close?1471
oversilec1478
bewrap1481
supprime1490
occulta1500
silec1500
smoor1513
shadec1530
skleir1532
oppressa1538
hudder-mudder1544
pretex1548
lap?c1550
absconce1570
to steek away1575
couch1577
recondite1578
huddle1581
mew1581
enshrine1582
enshroud1582
mask1582
veil1582
abscondc1586
smotherc1592
blot1593
sheathe1594
immask1595
secret1595
bemist1598
palliate1598
hoodwinka1600
overmaska1600
hugger1600
obscure1600
upwrap1600
undisclose1601
disguise1605
screen1611
underfold1612
huke1613
eclipsea1616
encavea1616
ensconcea1616
obscurify1622
cloud1623
inmewa1625
beclouda1631
pretext1634
covert1647
sconce1652
tapisa1660
shun1661
sneak1701
overlay1719
secrete1741
blank1764
submerge1796
slur1813
wrap1817
buttress1820
stifle1820
disidentify1845
to stick away1900
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > conceal oneself [verb (reflexive)]
hidec897
wryOE
shroudc1402
imbosk1562
shrine1570
thick1574
mew1581
burrow1596
dern1604
earth1609
veil1614
ensconcea1616
abscond1626
perdue1694
secrete1764
to stow away1795
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)]
beteec893
wryOE
heelOE
hilla1240
forhilla1300
covera1400
curea1400
covertc1420
paviliona1509
overdeck1509
heild?a1513
deck?1521
overhale1568
line1572
skin1618
operculate1623
endue1644
theek1667
to do over1700
sheugh1755
occlude1879
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (reflexive)]
wryOE
veil1614
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (intransitive)]
wry13..
OE Riddle 26 12 Mec [= a book] siþþan wrah hæleð hleobordum, hyde beþenede, gierede mec mid golde.
OE Genesis 2171 Ic þe..wið weana gehwam wreo and scylde folmum minum.
a1240 Wohunge in Old Eng. Hom. I. 279 Alle gate þu hafdes hwer þu mihtes wrihe þine banes.
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 36 Þes fikelares mester is to wrien & te helien ðet gong þurl.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 66 Þe þorn~hog þet ys al ywryȝe myd prikyinde eles.
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 627 She is the monstres heed ywryen, As filth over ystrowed with floures.
c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 119 Though I him wrye a-nyght and make hym warm.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. xiii. 34 From the wynd hem wrie With donge.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keep from knowledge [verb (transitive)]
heeleOE
dernc893
mitheeOE
wryOE
buryc1175
hidec1200
dilla1300
laina1375
keepa1382
wrapa1382
cover1382
conceala1393
curea1400
shroud1412
veilc1460
smorec1480
cele1484
suppress1533
wrap1560
smoulder1571
squat1577
muffle1582
estrange1611
screen1621
lock1646
umbrage1675
reserve1719
restrict1802
hugger-mugger1803
mask1841
ward1881
thimblerig1899
marzipan1974
OE Genesis 876 For hwon wast þu wean and wrihst sceome.
a1200 Moral Ode 160 in Old Eng. Hom. I. 169 Al scal þer bon þanne unwron, þet men wruȝen her and helen.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 68 Wið his preisunge. [he] wrið mon his sunne.
?c1225 Ancrene Riwle (Cleo.: Scribe B) (1972) 308 Wrihen ha schal hire scheome as sunfule eue dohte[r].
c1320 Cast. Love 918 God..nom of hire his monhede Þorw whom he wrey his Godhede.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 61 Huanne þe blondere..excuseþ and wryeþ þe kueades and þe zennes of ham.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 1654 God, to whom þer nys no cause y-wrye.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy i. 1813 For al þe foule schal couertly be wried, Þat no defaute outward be espied.
c1460 Wisdom 862 in Macro Plays 63 With þe crose & þe pyll I xall wrye yt.
a1500 Ragman Roll 157 (Bodl. 638, f. 217 b) Though they her malice inwarde keuyr & wrye.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxlv He wrieth moche venym with moche welth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > means of concealment > conceal by disguise [verb (transitive)]
beclout?c1225
disguisea1375
veilc1384
dissimule1485
counterfeit1490
dissemble?1507
guisea1510
wry1567
discountenance1574
conceal1598
belie1610
dislikena1616
obvolve1623
transvest1649
travesty1665
mask1847
camouflage1917
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) v. f. 61v The Gods..were faine themselues to hide In forged shapes... Ioue the Prince of Gods was wride In shape of Ram.
a. Of things: To serve as a covering to (a person or thing); to be spread or extended over.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > form or act as covering for
bredeOE
thatchc1000
wryOE
umhilla1340
coverc1340
curea1400
overmantle1591
obduct1623
overface1632
obduce1657
cap1735
OE Genesis 1386 Flod ealle wreah..hea beorgas.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 242 Sio filmen biþ þeccende & wreonde þa wambe & þa innofaran.
a1200 Vices & Virtues 95 Ðe faste hope hafð hire stede up an heih, for ði hie is rof and wrikð alle ðe hire bieð beneðen.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 286 His scheld þe wrech his godhed wes his leoue licome.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 119 Þe rinde þe wrið [a1250 Nero wrih] hit is þe treoes warde.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 167 Vor þet is þe sseld of gold..þet him wriȝþ of eche half ase zayþ þe sauter.
1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 143 In..Februarye..Whan frost & cold þe erthe doth wrye.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 581 Even as the bed..that is so narrow, that it will not wry them warme.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend over > extend over so as to cover
overgroweOE
wryc1275
overtakec1425
overreachc1440
overrun?1440
spread?1567
overcreep1640
cover1874
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8659 Þa Irisce fullen & wriȝen [c1300 Otho wreȝe] al þa feldes.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2589 Weoren þa hulles and þa dæles iwriȝen [c1300 Otho iwroȝe] mid þe dæden.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 1764 (Kölbing) To Winchester þai gun spede Wiþ so michel pople of men, Þat þai wreȝen doun & den.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 4049 Of Sarrazins..was wrin al þe feld.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 1992 Alisaunder þi foo..Liggeþ now, wiþ swiche preye, Þat he wriȝeþ [v.r. wrieth] al þe contreye.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
wryv.2
/rʌɪ/, U.S. /raɪ/ I. intransitive.† 1. † b. To have a particular or specified tendency, disposition, or inclination; to incline. Obsolete.† 2. † b. In similar use without adverb. Obsolete.figurative.1581 T. Howell His Deuises sig. G.ijv How fayned friends do fayle, if fate doe wrye.1593 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiæ in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) i. met. i. 2 O with how defe eare she from wretched wries.† c. figurative. To deviate or swerve from the right or proper course; to go wrong, to err. Also with adverbs, as amiss, aside. Obsolete.† 3. † b. Of a horse: To hold the head or neck to one side. Obsolete. rare.
a. To move, proceed, or go; to turn, wend. (Only Old English) Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxv. §1 Þeah þu teo hwelcne boh ofdune to þære eorðan..swa þu hine alætst, swa sprincð he up & wrigað wið his gecyndes.
OE Riddle 21 5 Hlaford min [= master of the plough] woh færeð, weard æt steorte, wrigaþ on wonge, wegeð mec ond þyð, saweþ on swæð min.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)]
wryc888
driveOE
drawc1175
rine?c1225
soundc1374
tendc1374
lean1398
clinea1400
movec1450
turnc1450
recline?a1475
covet1520
intend?1521
extenda1533
decline?1541
bow1562
bend1567
follow1572
inflecta1575
incline1584
warpa1592
to draw near1597
squint1599
nod1600
propend1605
looka1616
verge1664
gravitate1673
set1778
slant1850
trend1863
tilt1967
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxv. §1 Swa deð ælc gesceaft; wrigað wið his gecyndes.
c1250 Will & Wit 7 in Old Eng. Misc. 192 Hwenne so wil to wene wrieð.
13.. Erthe upon Erthe 42 Wanne..eorþe toward eorþe þorw coueytise wryeþ.
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxx. 78 He wylle cheuysse hym suche counceylle as he troweth wylle wryen to his purpoos.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. 114 For j wole þat þe tale be turned ooþer weys,..þat it turne..wryinge to my wurshipes.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Jas. v. f. xxxixv The fore tokens of a mynde that wryeth downe vnto desperacyon.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) i. 23 I mean those, who though sprinkled with some imperfections, yet wrie rather to the good, then the euill.
a. Of persons: To move or go, to swerve or turn, aside, away, or awayward. Also in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > diverge from course
bowa1000
swervec1330
wrya1350
crookc1380
to turn asidea1382
depart1393
decline14..
wryc1400
divert1430
desvoy1481
wave1548
digress1552
prevaricate1582
yaw1584
to turn off1605
to come off1626
deviate1635
sag1639
to flinch out1642
deflect1646
de-err1657
break1678
verge1693
sheera1704
to break off1725
lean1894
a1350 in G. L. Brook Harley Lyrics (1968) 47 Þat feyre..wrieþ awey as hue were wroht.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 97 With hir heed she wryed fast awey.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 17 To þe worchip of þis world þai wryn fro me away.
c1450 Mirk's Festial i. 112 Ȝet ȝe wryeth away and grucched to come to me.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxlvi. 176 Than the kyng wryed away fro hym, and commaunded to sende for ye hangman.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) i. xviii. sig. D.viiv Of wyckednes they wrye awaye and..turne to theyr fleshe for helpe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > diverge from course
bowa1000
swervec1330
wrya1350
crookc1380
to turn asidea1382
depart1393
decline14..
wryc1400
divert1430
desvoy1481
wave1548
digress1552
prevaricate1582
yaw1584
to turn off1605
to come off1626
deviate1635
sag1639
to flinch out1642
deflect1646
de-err1657
break1678
verge1693
sheera1704
to break off1725
lean1894
c1400 26 Pol. Poems 26 Ȝif she grucche wiþ þe to rage, And alway fro the wole wrye.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 1352 The steward saw that, and did wry, And drew him som dele aside.
c1440 York Myst. xxx. 7 That wrecche may not wrye fro my wrekis.
a1500 Hist. K. Boccus & Sydracke (?1510) sig. S iij He that clymeth ouer hye May happe somtyme to wrye.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades iii. 56 Paris wried at last, and so the blowe did shunne.
1596 J. Davies Orchestra lxiii. sig. B5v As when a Nimph..Leadeth a daunce.., she wries to euery hand And euery way doth crosse the fertile plaine.
1627 R. Sanderson Ten Serm. 404 Like a young vnbroken thing that hath mettall, and is free, but is euer wrying the wrong way.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > wrong conduct > act wrongly or immorally [verb (intransitive)] > err or go wrong or astray
misfareeOE
wanderc897
dwelec900
miswendOE
misfereOE
misnimc1225
failc1290
to go willa1300
misgoc1300
misstepc1300
errc1315
strayc1325
folly1357
wryc1369
crookc1380
miscarryc1390
ravec1390
astray1393
forloinc1400
delire?a1475
to go wrong?1507
to tread the shoe awrya1542
swerve1576
prevaricate1582
tread awrya1625
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 627 An ydole of false purtraiture Is she, for she woll sone wrien [v.r. varien].
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles ii. 84 Þat no manere mede shulde make him wrye, For to trien a trouthe be-twynne two sidis.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 46 Wry not fro Godis word.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 43 He..wrys away fro Godys word to his wyckydnes.
1548 W. Patten Exped. Scotl. Pref. c v If ye..wilfully wrye so far from hys truth.
1557 M. Basset tr. T. More Treat. Passion in Wks. 1365/2 Yf we of oure owne frowardnes wrye not a contrary way, but be readye..to folowe hys most blessed will.
1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 11v How much a man the greater is, By his offence that wries amisse.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) v. i. 5 How many Must murther Wiues much better then themselues For wrying but a little? View more context for this quotation
1632 R. Sanderson 12 Serm. 27 By wrying aside in some one or a few particulars, he may..offend the Lord.
1635 R. Sanderson Two Serm. S. Pauls Crosse & Grantham ii. 71 These wry too much on the right hand, ascribing to the holy Scripture such a kind of perfection as it cannot have.
a. Of things: To turn aside or obliquely; to undergo deflection, twisting, or bending; to bend, wind; to turn from side to side.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > incline in a direction > obliquely
wryc1374
slant1698
angle1835
to train off1891
the world > space > shape > curvature > series of curves > have series of curves [verb (intransitive)] > have many or winding curves
wryc1374
cramble1570
wind1666
serpentine1767
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > diverge from course > specifically of things
wryc1374
awry1604
run1846
tangent1920
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > sideways movement or a sideways movement > move sideways [verb (intransitive)] > turn from side to side or to right and left
wry1565
right-and-left1791
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 906 Þe sonne Gan..downward for to wrye.
c1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 347 Thi somer hous northest & west let wrie.
c1450 Ludus Coventriæ 229 Þe patthe be-twyn bothyn þat may not wry Schal be hope and drede to walke in perfectly.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2791 Then shalt þowe se an entre,..Thouȝe it be streyt to-fore,..It growith more & more, & as a dentour wriythe.
1553 tr. S. Gardiner De Vera Obed. 49 b The decaied partes of their power (whose building..hath wried on the one side long ago).
1565 B. Googe tr. ‘M. Palingenius’ Zodiake of Life (new ed.) vii. sig. Yvv Perchaunce..The liuely spirite enclosde..doth wrye as best it may, And striuing long through passage smal doth get at length away.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island v. xii. 49 The first [part of the brain] with divers crooks and turnings wries.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [verb (intransitive)] > hold head or neck to one side
wry1610
1610 G. Markham Maister-peece i. xxxvi. 70 Holding his necke awry;..The cure is to let him bloud..on the contrary side to that way he wryeth.
4. To contort the limbs, features, etc., as from pain or agony; to wriggle; to undergo twisting or turning; = writhe v. 10a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > writhe or twist [verb (intransitive)] > writhe in pain or distress
writhe?a1200
wry1340
wringc1485
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 660 He was wraþ ful i-wrouht & wried in angur.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 338/381 On þe hed ponne [him] hard, Þat he go wryȝinge þenneward.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 477/46 Þe ffisch..wroþly wrieþ on þe Crok.
1493 Festyvall, Four Sermons 21/2 As a galled horse that is touched on the sore wyncheth & wryeth.
1566 T. Blundeville Arte of Rydynge (rev. ed.) iii. xxii. f. 72v, (heading) in Fower Offices Horsemanshippe Howe to correct that horse, which will mowe or wrye wyth hys mouth.
c1590 J. Stewart Poems (1913) 54 Scho schrinks, Scho vreyis, Scho vips for vo.
a1625 J. Fletcher Womans Prize iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ooooo2v/2 She..wryes and wriggles, As though she had the itch.
1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 34 He saw the wretchit men Wreein' and wreethin' wi' the pain.
1893 National Observer 30 Dec. 165/2 His mouth kept wrying from side to side.
II. transitive.† 5. figurative.c1425 Cast. Persev. 1675 in Macro Plays 127 I wyl me wryen ffro wyckyd wreche.1549 T. Chaloner tr. Erasmus Praise of Folie sig. Oij If he [sc. a prince] wrie himselfe never so little from that becometh hym.a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xviii. sig. L8 Our mindes..from the right line of vertue, are wryed to these crooked shifts.1635 W. Pemble Wks. 6 Ambition and tyrannie in Churchmen wryed their thoughts..to the advancement of their owne greatnesse.1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Deut. xxxiii. 9) 154 Not to be wryed or biassed by respect to carnal friends, is a high..point of self-denial.† b. To avert (the head, face, etc.); to turn aside or away. Obsolete.† c. To change or alter (one's course). Obsolete. rare.† 6. To curve, inflect, bend. Obsolete. rare.† 8. absol. = wring v. 4c. Obsolete. rare.† 10. To roll, wrap, or wind up. Obsolete. rare.
a. To deflect or divert (a person or thing) from some course or in some direction; to cause to turn aside, away, or back. Also reflexive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > change the direction of
wrya1400
divert1548
wrench1582
break1600
deflect1615
deviate1660
wrest1759
sidetrack1887
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement of [verb (transitive)] > cause to deviate from course
charec1000
wrencha1200
turnc1275
to turn againc1330
swerve1390
wrya1400
reflectc1425
traverse1438
to turn aside1535
deduce1541
divert1548
to turn off1573
wrig1582
react1599
deflect1615
slent1639
decline1646
deviate1660
to wind off1677
sway1678
warp1814
switch1861
baffle1883
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > turn aside from > cause to
writhea1400
wrya1400
reflecta1500
reverta1500
withstand1508
reversec1540
declinea1555
evert1569
deflecta1575
divert1609
bias1628
blank1640
avert1697
shunt1858
sidetrack1887
ride1908
a1400 Partonope 6865 Of hym they had the victory [in the lists], So sore hir aduersaries dyd they wrey.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. xiv. 9 Baith to and fra al did thar nokkis wry [L. torquent].
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. xiv. 50 Latynis all thar ene about did wry [L. convertere].
1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos ii. 65 His tacle to the left hand set, and sterne to left hand wried.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 60 Right so to thee same boord thee maysters al wrye the vessels.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > turn (something) to a (different) direction > turn away
awendOE
to turn awaya1225
wryc1400
reversec1540
evert1569
avert1578
nurture1627
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) i. xv. 11 Hit sytteth the nought to wrye awey thy face.
c1407 J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte 1413 She gan ay hir hede to wrye.
a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 776 Sum-what þy face from hyre þou wry.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 70/1 Ye duke..wried hys hed an other way.
1578 J. Rolland Seuin Seages 35 He wryit his face away and his visage.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades iii. 55 Hector from his helmet then his countnance hauing wried,..the lots did turne.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xix. 716/2 Buckingham..wried his face another way.
1655 J. Cotgrave Wits Interpreter (1662) 276 When [he was] pressing for a kiss her head she wried.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > change (one's course)
wry1598
warp1725
1598 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Plutarch De Curiositate in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) i. 13 His course..wryed was to east, the sons arising place.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > curvature > curve or bend [verb (transitive)]
beyc888
bowa1300
incrooka1340
inbowa1382
crook1382
plya1393
inflectc1425
courbe1430
wryc1450
cralla1475
crumbc1490
bought1521
compass1542
incurvate1578
ploy1578
incurve1610
curve1615
circumflex1649
wheel1656
curb1662
crumpa1821
curvaturec1933
c1450 Hymns Virg. (1867) 122 The rayn bowe iwryyd schalle be.
7. † c. figurative. To wrest the meaning of; = writhe v. 9. Obsolete.† d. To pervert. Obsolete.
a. To twist or turn (the body, neck, etc.) round or about; to contort, wring, wrench; to writhe. Also with adverbs, as †a-doyle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > writhing or twisting movement > writhe or twist [verb (transitive)]
wresta1000
throwOE
twingec1000
wringc1000
wrench?c1225
writhec1400
wreathec1425
wryc1460
screw1600
twist1769
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > turn (something) to a (different) direction > from normal direction
writheOE
wreathec1429
wryc1460
vertc1590
c1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 285 Wrye not youre nek a doyle as hit were a dawe.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. ii. sig. P2 Wringing [1593 wrieng] her waste, and thrusting out her chinne.
1598 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Plutarch De Curiositate in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) xii. 14 Diogines..bak wrying and turning nek in casting on her Looke.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice i. 39 If you see her wrie her taile.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) i. 132 Wrying his Body twenty several waies.
1676 T. Hobbes tr. Homer Iliads xvi. 248 Jove.. granted him to save the ships from fire; But at returning safe his neck he wri'd.
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Palsey Let him be blooded in his Neck-Vein..on the contrary Side to the Way he wryes his Neck.
1801 C. Lamb in Lett. C. & M. A. Lamb (1976) II. 3 Without much wrying my neck, I can see the white sails.
b. To twist out of shape, form, or relationship; to give a twist to; to pull, contort, make wry. Also figurative and in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > misshapenness > put out of shape [verb (transitive)] > distort
wresta1000
writheOE
miswrencha1393
wrya1586
divert1609
crumple1615
rumple1636
contort1705
screwa1711
distort1751
twist1769
shevel1777
gnarl1814
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > by twisting, wrenching, or turning
wringc1330
writhea1393
wrya1586
wrench1697
twist1785
a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David (1823) xxii. viii [My] loosed bones quite out of joynt be wried.
1594 S. Daniel Trag. Cleopatra v. ii In her sinking downe shee wryes The Diadem which..shee wore.
1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits xv. §1. 281 The heat..wrieth the proportion of the face.
1665 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies (ed. 2) 254 They are a Nose of Wax which may be wry'd to what figure..Fancy shall impose upon them.
1679 T. Hobbes Behemoth (unauthorized ed.) 41 They are for the most part, Latin and Greek words, wried a little at the point towards the Native Language.
1686 G. Stuart Joco-serious Disc. 41 The Todd will..wry about the Neck o' th' Cock.
1716 A. Pope God's Revenge against Punning 2 The Lord mercifully spared his Neck, but as a Mark of Reprobation wryed his Nose.
1842 R. Browning In a Gondola in Bells & Pomegranates No. III: Dramatic Lyrics Guests by hundreds—not one caring If the dear host's neck were wried.
1855 P. J. Bailey Mystic 69 Some Titanian arm, Whose elbow, jogged by earthquakes, wryed the pole.
1860 A. C. Swinburne Queen-Mother i. i. 1 I know him by the setting of his neck, The mask is wried there.
1883 R. W. Dixon Mano ii. iv. 78 I put on those arms which he..From the dead body had begun to wry.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > pervert or distort [verb (transitive)]
crooka1340
deprave1382
pervertc1390
strainc1449
drawc1450
miswrest?a1475
bewrya1522
wry?1521
to make a Welshman's hose ofa1529
writhea1533
wrest1533
invert1534
wring?1541
depravate1548
rack1548
violent1549
wrench1549
train1551
wreathe1556
throw1558
detorta1575
shuffle1589
wriggle1593
distortc1595
to put, set, place, etc. on the rack1599
twine1600
wire-draw1610
monstrify1617
screw1628
corrupt1630
gloss1638
torture1648
force1662
vex1678
refract1700
warp1717
to put a force upon1729
twist1821
ply1988
?1521 J. Fisher Serm. agayn Luther sig. Dv Men of fell wyttes..[who] had ye propre fayth to wrye & to torcasse ye scryptures.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. xiii. 59 b False Apostles..whyche wresteth and wryeth by subtyll interpretacion, the heauenly doctrine after their lustes.
1564 Briefe Exam. ***ij You do wrye this place from his naturall sense.
1631 R. Byfield Doctr. Sabbath Vindicated 156 This Alleager..wryeth the sense.
1649 E. Reynolds Israels Prayer (new ed.) vii. 136 Take heed of wresting and wrying that to the corrupt fancies of our owne evill hearts.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > leading astray > [verb (transitive)]
forteeOE
fortihtOE
bicharrea1000
perverta1382
faitc1430
perversec1475
seduce1477
seduec1485
seduct1490
wry1563
the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > corruption > [verb (transitive)]
forbraidc888
besmiteeOE
awemOE
filec1175
soila1250
envenomc1300
beshrewc1325
shrew1338
corrumpa1340
corrupt1382
subvertc1384
tache1390
poison1395
infect?c1400
intoxicatec1450
deprave1482
corrup1483
rust1493
turkess?1521
vitiate1534
prevary?1541
depravate1548
fester?1548
turkish1560
wry1563
taint1573
disalter1579
prevaricate1595
sophisticate1597
invitiate1598
fashion1600
tack1601
debauch1603
deturpate1623
disaltern1635
ulcer1642
deboise1654
Neronize1673
demoralize1794
bedevil1800
1563 W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (new ed.) Hastings xlvii Alas, are counsels wryed to catch the goode.
a1585 A. Montgomerie Flyting with Polwart 754 The thingis I said, gif þow wald now deny, Weining to wry þe veritie with wylis.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. vi. sig. R7v Publique defences neglected; and in summe..all awrie, and (which wried it to the most wrie course of all) witte abused.
1620 Horæ Subseciuæ 148 Let not the parties ielousie..wrest or wry his iudgement in the least degree to preiudice.
e. poetic. To distort the judgement of; to warp.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > misjudge [verb (transitive)] > pervert or distort (judgement)
fascinate1596
warp1601
jaundice1791
wry1860
1860 A. C. Swinburne Queen-Mother i. ii. 17 Hen. This fool is wried with wine. Mar. French air hath nipped his brains.
f. poetic. To turn, change, or alter (a colour).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > change of colour > change colour of [verb (transitive)]
mewa1425
transcolour1658
strike1664
turn1791
transcolorate1823
wry1866
1866 A. C. Swinburne Poems & Ballads 245 Ill slant eyes interpret the straight sun, But in their scope its white is wried to black.
ΚΠ
14.. Chaucer's Merch. T. (Petworth) 341 But I woote best wher wrieþ my shoo.
9. To twist or distort (the face or mouth), esp. so as to manifest disgust or distaste; = writhe v. 12b. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > dislike > look expressive of displeasure or dislike > twist or distort (face or mouth) to show disgust [verb (transitive)]
wrya1510
a1510 G. Douglas King Hart ii. 96 Her face scho wryit about for propir teyne.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Wryinge the mouth in waye of derision, valgulatio.
?1555 M. Coverdale tr. Hope of Faythful xx. 141 Though ye wrye your mouthes at it.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 173 Winking with their eyes, and wrying their faces at me.
1681 S. Colvil Mock Poem (1751) 81 He wry'd his mouth, and knit his brows.
1691 A. D'Anvers Academia 56 He dare not wry his Mouth to laugh.
?1750 D. Graham Hist. John Cheap i. 8 I made my eyes to roll, and wrayed my face in a frightful manner.
1857 C. Heavysege Saul (1869) 291 Bitter is bitter, though the lips be not Allowed to wry themselves thereat.
1888 Sat. Rev. 1 Dec. 650/1 The tonics..were bitter enough to wry the palate.
1898 M. Hewlett Forest Lovers xv She wried her mouth to a smile.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)]
bewindOE
writheOE
windc1175
bewrap?c1225
lapa1300
umbelaya1300
umbeweave1338
wlappec1380
enwrapa1382
wrapa1382
inlap1382
envelop1386
forwrapc1386
hapc1390
umbeclapa1400
umbethonrea1400
umblaya1400
wapc1420
biwlappea1425
revolve?a1425
to roll up?a1425
roll?c1425
to roll ina1475
wimple1513
to wind up?1533
invest1548
circumvolve1607
awrap1609
weave1620
sheet1621
obvolve1623
embowdle1625
amict1657
wry1674
woold1775
overwrap1815
wrapper1885
wrapper1905
weve-
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 128 I take the seed..to be a cluster of bubbles wryed up snug.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1423
adj.adv.1523v.1a901
v.2c888