wreakn.
/riːk/, U.S. /rik/ Now archaic or Obsolete.† 2. An instance of taking vengeance or exacting retribution. Obsolete.† 3. Harm, injury; damage. Obsolete.
1. † c. in (or for) wreak of, in revenge of, in return or repayment for. Obsolete.
a. Pain or punishment inflicted in return for an injury, wrong, offence, etc.; hurt or harm done from vindictive motives; vengeance, revenge.In frequent use from c1540 to c1620.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > [noun]
wrakec825
wrechec1175
yielda1200
wrakedomc1275
vengeancea1300
hevening1303
vengement1338
wreakc1340
rewardc1350
retributiona1425
revengeancec1480
wratha1500
revengementa1513
avengeance1535
avenge1568
ultion1575
venge1587
wreck1591
nemesis1597
revanche1615
vindict1639
vindication1647
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5338 Howe suld þai þan in þe tyme of wreke Bestille?
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 6101 Þe day of wreke and of vengeaunce.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 22604 Saint peter sal be domb þat dai,..For doubt of demsteris wrek [Vesp. wreke].
c1420 Prose Life Alex. 76 Þe wrethe & þe wreke of oure goddez..fallez apon vs.
?a1500 Chester Pl. x. 120 [On] all knaves childer in this Countrey..shall fall the wreake.
1526 W. Tyndale Prol. Epist. Rom. in Wks. (1572) 49/1 He describeth the outward conuersation of Christen men, how they ought..to commit wreake and vengeaunce to God.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12072 Þe sayntis of hell Were wode in hor werkis for wreke of Achilles.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates 63 But wrath of man his rancour to requite, Forgets all reason... I mean by rancour the parentall wreke.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 79v Such flames of wreake withyn her bowels fride.
1629 W. Mure True Crucifixe 2610 Thee carying headlongs to eternall wreake.
1865 Reader No. 142. 309/2 Pride and haughty wreak From irreverence begin.
1899 A. C. Swinburne Rosamund ii. 32 I would.. the wreak of wrath were wroken, and I Dead.
b. In the phrase to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreak.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment [verb (intransitive)]
wreakc825
to do, have, nim (= take), ta, or take wrake (of, on, or upon)?a900
to do (also take) wrack (on one)12..
to do, have, make, nim, seek, and esp. take wrechec1200
to take (also nim) vengeance1297
to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreakc1330
visita1382
vengec1400
revengec1485
avenge1535
hevenc1540
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > take or execute revenge [verb (intransitive)]
wreakc825
to do, have, nim (= take), ta, or take wrake (of, on, or upon)?a900
to do (also take) wrack (on one)12..
to do, have, make, nim, seek, and esp. take wrechec1200
to take (also nim) vengeance1297
wrakea1300
to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreakc1330
visita1382
vengec1400
revengec1485
avenge1535
hevenc1540
resent1612
exact1858
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Petyt MS.) Prol. 202 When god toke wreke of Caym synne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 1156 Þat I sal take wreke on þe.
c1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Katherine v. 61 God..on the puple tho took ful grete wreke.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxv. 329 I saide that he shuld..of youre warkys take wreke.
1525 W. Tyndale in Wks. (1849) II. 229 No man should avenge himself, or seek wreak, no, not by the law.
1576 G. Whetstone Garden of Vnthriftinesse 72 in Rocke of Regard Sith fortune threates, to woorke our wreake of ioy, By sowsing of our ship, in seas of yre.
1582 S. Batman Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum xviii. xi. 349/1 No creature is more wreakful, nor more feruent to take wreak than is the Bee when he is wrath.
1607 R. C. tr. H. Estienne World of Wonders 162 A huswife of Millan..wrought her wreake vpon the fruite of her womb.
1613 G. Chapman Reuenge Bussy D'Ambois iii. sig. E4 Dull and drossie in performing Wreake of the deare bloud of my matchlesse Brother.
1859 R. C. Singleton tr. Virgil Aeneid ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. II. 308 Enough of wreak is spent; A passage hath been made among the foes.
1885 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainm. I. xix. 189 None murdered the damsel but I; take her wreak on me this moment.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > as retributive punishment for [phrase]
in wrake ofc1480
in revenge for (also of)1553
in (or for) wreak ofa1596
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > another may act in similar way [phrase] > in return or repayment of
in (or for) wreak ofa1596
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > in revenge or retaliation (for) [phrase]
in wrake ofc1480
in revenge for (also of)1553
in (or for) wreak ofa1596
a1596 G. Peele Loue King Dauid & Fair Bethsabe (1599) sig. Eij They with him conspire, And kill thy sonne in wreake of Thamars wrong.
1600 B. Jonson Every Man out of his Humor ii. iii. sig. Giii Would to God (In wreake of my misfortunes) I were turn'd To some faire water-Nymph. View more context for this quotation
1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher v. sig. H3 Death..he shall indure, For wreake of that ioyes exile I sustaine.
d. The avenging of a person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > the avenging of a person
revenge1553
wreak1613
1613 G. Chapman Reuenge Bussy D'Ambois iii. sig. E3v Your defect of spirit and valour. First showne in lingring my deare Brothers wreake.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > [noun] > act or instance of
vengeancea1300
wreaka1300
wrake13..
wrechea1325
revenge1561
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > action of taking revenge > act or instance of
vengeancea1300
wreaka1300
wrake13..
wrechea1325
revenge1548
a1300 E.E. Psalter xvii. 51 God þat giues wrekes me to.
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Ciii Of the Grekes the cruel wrekes.
1591 E. Spenser Ruines of Time in Complaints 397 Where mortall wreakes their blis may not remoue.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxxi. 77 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 89 My tongue..[shall] Tell thy wreakes and their disgraces, Who this ill to me procure.
a1626 L. Andrewes XCVI. Serm. (1661) xvi. 224 To take a wreak or revenge upon sin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [noun]
burstc1000
harmOE
scatheOE
teenOE
evil healc1175
waningc1175
hurt?c1225
quede?c1225
balec1275
damage1300
follyc1300
grill13..
ungain13..
torferc1325
eviltyc1330
wem1338
impairment1340
marring1357
unhend1377
sorrowc1380
pairingc1384
pairmentc1384
mischiefc1385
offencec1385
appairment1388
hindering1390
noyinga1398
bresta1400
envya1400
wemminga1400
gremec1400
wilc1400
blemishing1413
lesion?a1425
nocument?a1425
injuryc1430
mischieving1432
hindrance1436
detrimenta1440
ill1470
untroth1470
diversity1484
remordc1485
unhappinessc1485
grudge1491
wriguldy-wrag?1520
danger1530
dishort1535
perishment1540
wreaka1542
emperishment1545
impeachment1548
indemnity1556
impair1568
spoil1572
impeach1575
interestc1575
emblemishing1583
mishap1587
endamagement1593
blemishment1596
mischievance1600
damnificationa1631
oblesion1656
mishanter1754
vitiation1802
mar1876
jeel1887
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harm or injury > [noun]
loathc900
teenOE
ungrithlOE
wemming1100
waningc1175
wrongc1275
prejudicec1300
derea1325
torferc1325
eviltyc1330
griefc1330
wem1338
injurec1374
truitc1390
noyinga1398
inconvenience14..
nocument?a1425
outraya1425
injuryc1430
mischieving1432
supprise1442
incommodityc1450
interess1489
grudge1491
tort1532
wreaka1542
impeachment1548
inconveniency1553
indemnity1556
interestc1575
abuse1595
mischievance1600
oblesion1656
grit1876
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) 20 Vnkynd tong, right ill hast thou me rendred For suche desertt to do me wrek and shame.
c1565 Parl. Byrdes (new ed.) sig. A.iv All the byrdes that could speake Said, the Hauke doth vs great wreake.
1591 E. Spenser Ruines of Rome in Complaints 33 These same olde walls..is that which Rome men call. Behold what wreake, what ruine, and what wast.
a1598 A. Montgomerie Mindes Melodie (1600) vi. 44 My foes..would rejoise To see my wreak, and would my soule subuert.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
wreakv.
/riːk/, U.S. /rik/ I. To drive, banish, and related uses.† 1. transitive.† b. To cast or throw out of a place. Obsolete.† c. transferred. With out. To pass or spend (time). Cf. drive v. 32. Obsolete. rare.† 2. To banish or expel, to drive out or away. Obsolete.figurative and in extended use.1340 Ayenbite (1866) 189 Huanne he his ssel wreke out of his uelaȝrede.a1400–50 Wars Alex. 4428 For all ȝoure wisdom, I-wis, is wroken to ȝour tongis.
a. To drive, press, force to move. Obsolete. (Old English only.)
ΚΠ
c725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) T 213 Torquet, uuraec.
OE Riddle 1 2 Hwylc is hæleþa þæs horsc ond þæs hygecræftig þæt þæt mæge asecgan, hwa mec on sið wræce?
OE Riddle 21 11 Me þurh hrycg wrecen hongaþ under an orþoncpil.
ΚΠ
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3191 Ðor he doluen,..and hauen up brogt Ðe bones, ut of ðe erðe wroken.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3148 Ilc folc is to fode framen,..And nogt ðor-of [sc. of a kid] vt huse wreken.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)]
overdoOE
adreeOE
wreaka1300
to draw forthc1300
dispend1340
pass1340
drivea1375
wastec1381
occupyc1384
overpassa1387
to pass over ——a1393
usec1400
spend1423
contrive?a1475
overdrive1487
consumea1500
to pass forth1509
to drive off1517
lead1523
to ride out1529
to wear out, forth1530
to pass away?1550
to put offc1550
shiftc1562
to tire out1563
wear1567
to drive out1570
entertainc1570
expire1589
tire1589
outwear1590
to see out1590
outrun1592
outgo1595
overshoot1597
to pass out1603
fleeta1616
elapse1654
term1654
trickle1657
to put over1679
absorb1686
spin1696
exercise1711
kill1728
to get through ——1748
to get over ——1751
tickc1870
fill1875
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > eject
warpc1000
wreaka1300
out-throwa1393
excludec1400
shootc1400
spitc1400
deliver?a1425
outflingc1450
springc1480
bolka1522
vomit1552
spurge1582
out-braid1586
hurl1590
cast1601
spew1605
eject1607
ejaculate1609
spew1610
to cast out1611
throw1625
eructate1632
gullop1646
explode1660
to throw off1660
belch1668
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1547 Quen sa fele yeier ar wroken oute, Þe mikel spere es rune aboute.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel
afferreOE
warpc1000
outdriveOE
wreakc1100
to cast out1297
to cast fortha1382
out-chasec1395
flecchea1400
to shoot forth, out, awaya1400
propel?1440
expulse?a1475
scour1488
out-thrust1532
to catch forthc1540
propulse1548
pulsec1550
unplant1552
to turn out of ——1562
extrude1566
detrude?1567
eliminate1568
deturbate1570
detruse1571
unroost1598
to put by1600
deturb1609
bolt1615
run1631
disembogue1632
out of1656
expel1669
rout1812
to manage (a person) out of1907
c1100 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (MS. D.) ann. 1076 Sume hi wurdon geblende, & sume wrecen of lande.
?a1300 Gregory 216 Sche halpe þe pouer and þe lame, þe deuel fram hir for to wreke.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 215 Huerout he wrek þo þe zyalde and boȝte ine þe temple.
II. To give expression to (a feeling), and related uses.† 4. in extended use.a1658 R. Lovelace Poems (1904) 134 The desp'rate Heron..turns his last to wreak The palizadoes of his [sc. a falcon's] Beak.† b. To injure, hurt, or harm (a person). Obsolete.
3. in extended use.1794 W. Wordsworth Guilt & Sorrow 103 The only creature..On whom the elements their rage might wreak.1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna iii. vii. 60 Beneath most calm resolve did agony wreak Its whirlwind rage.
a. To give vent or expression to, to exercise or gratify (wrath, anger, etc.); to vent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > [verb (transitive)] > wreak or give vent to anger
wreakOE
to let outa1250
wrechec1420
wrake1596
wreck1658
vent1697
OE Genesis 2510 Þas folc slean, cynn on ceastrum mid cwealmþrea and his torn wrecan.
c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) lxxxiv. 5 Ne wrec þu þine yrre, wraðe mode, of cynne on cynn.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 19606 Forr þi let he takenn himm To wrekenn hise tene.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 324 He schal nat ryghtfully his yre wreke.
1421 26 Pol. Poems 83 Lete not vengeance þy wraþþe wreke. Vengeance is goddis.
c1430 Syr. Gener. (Roxb.) 4674 Darel roode wel wrothe and yll, For he had not wroken his fill.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 785/1 I wreake myne anger.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Eng. 231/1 in Chron. I The more to wreake his wrath, the King spoyled many Religious houses of their goodes.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ix. sig. I3 As when Dan Æolus..Sends forth the winds..Vpon the sea to wreake his fell intent. View more context for this quotation
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 323 They were staied..in this sweetnesse of wreaking their anger, and satiating their revenge.
1648 Hunting of Fox 10 [The] heart-breaking stile of Enemies: and such Enemies too, as to wreake their malice.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iv. ii. 66 'Tis my hate and the deferred desire To wreak it, which extinguishes their blood.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. iv. 113 So in time to come May Agamemnon wreak his wrath.
1878 J. R. Seeley Life & Times Stein III. 315 Stein wreaked his disappointment in unsparing criticism.
b. More usually const. on (†in, against) or upon a person. (Frequently from c1560.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > [verb (transitive)] > wreak or give vent to anger > on or against someone
wreakc1175
wreck1577
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 19866 Ȝho..þohhte þatt ȝho shollde onn himm Wel wrekenn hire tene.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 589 Wel hastow lord y-wroke on me Þin Ire.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur iii. vii. 107 Leuer I had ye had wroken your angre vpon me.
c1480 (a1400) St. James Less 133 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 154 Þar-fore þai wrekyt þar wodnes In þis Iamis, callit þe les.
1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos iv. sig. L.iij On my brother fals I wroke my tene.
1592 R. Greene Pandosto (new ed.) sig. Biij Pandosto..determined to wrecke all his wrath on poore Bellaria.
1627 M. Drayton Battaile Agincourt 42 I neuer will retire, Vntill our Teene vpon the French we wreake.
1697 G. Burghope Disc. Relig. Assemblies 180 As tho' they wou'd reak their Malice upon God.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 615 The moody Sire, to wreak his Hate On Realms.
1749 T. Smollett Regicide Pref. sig. A2v I wreaked my Resentment upon the innocent Cause of my Disgraces.
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) IV. lxiv. 732 The church..persevered in the project of wreaking her own enmity against the nonconformists.
1818 M. W. Shelley Frankenstein II. i. 7 That I might wreak the utmost extent of anger on his head.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xiii. 158 The dwarf..wanting somebody to wreak his ill-humour upon.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. 112 To wreak a coward's spite on the corpse of the dead Harold.
c. reflexive. Of a passion, feeling, etc.: To give expression to (itself); to find utterance or free course.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest itself (of an emotion) [verb (reflexive)]
wreak1590
the mind > emotion > passion > affect with passion or strong emotion [verb (reflexive)] > find free course (of passion)
wreak1590
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. v. sig. Q4v Disleall knight, whose coward corage chose To wreake it selfe on beast all innnocent [sic].
1839 T. De Quincey Lake Reminisc. in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 103/1 That the indignation of mankind should have wreaked itself upon the chief monsters.
1850 N. Hawthorne Scarlet Let. xiii. 199 In the education of her child, the mother's enthusiasm of thought had something to wreak itself upon.
1887 R. S. Storrs in Libr. Mag. Aug. 106 The Hellenic spirit..wreaked itself in immortal expressions on the choicest marbles and temples in the world.
d. To bestow or spend on a person, etc.; to expend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > endow with qualities or attributes > give a faculty or quality
reacheOE
givea1000
wreaka1586
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Sonn. in Wks. (1922) II. 303 She hath no other cause of anguish But Thereus love, on her by strong hand wrokne.
1819 J. H. Wiffen Aonian Hours 107 To wreak Such love upon the task as [etc.].
1871 R. Browning Prince Hohenstiel-Schwangau 13 God..Grants each new man..Intercommunication with Himself, Wreaking on finiteness infinitude.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust I. iv. 91 Mephis. Here is the genuine path for you; Yet strict attention must be given. Stud. Body and soul thereon I'll wreak.
a. To punish or chastise (a person); to visit with retributive punishment. Also reflexive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > on a person
wreakc888
visita1382
repay1614
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > on behalf of a person
wreakc888
awreakc1275
vengec1325
avenge1377
revengec1425
wreck1570
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xli. § 3 Þæt wæs þæt mon wræce & witnode hwone for his yfle.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1090 Se cyng wæs smægende hu he mihte wrecon his broðer Rodbeard, swiðost swencean.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11773 For to wreke þam was he bun þat þus did cast þair goddes dun.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxviii. 377 With the Iues he [sc. Jesus] was so stad, To ded they can hym wreke.
a1626 L. Andrewes XCVI. Serm. (1661) 165 To wreak our~selves for so often offering so foul indignities to Heaven.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)]
derec888
marc1275
hurt1297
shond1338
teenc1380
offendc1425
tamec1430
wreakc1440
supprisea1450
mischiefc1450
mischieve1465
wringa1529
strikea1535
danger1538
bemarc1540
violate1551
damnify?a1562
injury1579
aggrievea1716
crock1846
c1440 Bone Florence 104 He was..all to-brokyn, Ferre travelde in harnes, and of warre wrokyn.
1572 R. Sempill Lament. Commounis Scotl. (single sheet) Lat neuer thair micht..Haue strenth or power thame for to hurt or wreik.
c1602 C. Marlowe tr. Ovid Elegies ii. xi. sig. C8 What each one speakes Beleeue, no tempest the beleeuer wreakes [L. credenti nulla procella nocet].
1670 W. Walker Dict. Eng. & Lat. Idiomes 559 In labour the stronger wreaks the weaker. In opere firmior (bos) imbecilliorem conficit.
III. To avenge, and related uses.† 7. To visit (a fault, misdeed, evil action) with punishment; to punish (wrongdoing). Obsolete.
5. reflexive.c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 179 Ne wrec þu þe mid wussinge ne mid warienge.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 141 Ne wreoke ȝe naut ow seoluen. ne gruchen.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 85 To wreke hymself he þouȝte With werkes or with wordes whan he seighe his tyme.c1407 J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte 369 Antropos, hir self to wreke, Doth ful many thredes breke.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 310 Will god I leiffe we sall us wreke on part.?a1500 Chester Pl. xiv. 267 I am as wroth as I may be, And some way I will wreak me.1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 785/1 If thou cannest nat wreake the, byte the poste.1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. viii. sig. T3 How worthily..Iustice that day of wrong her selfe had wroken . View more context for this quotation1606 L. Bryskett Disc. Ciuill Life 70 They that by combat seeke to wreake themselues.1659 W. Somner Dict. Saxonico-Latino-Anglicum at Wræcan Vulgo dicimus: to wreke ones selfe, or take revenge.in extended use.1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 148 Be war forthi thou be noght sik Of thilke fievere [sc. jealousy]..For it wol in him~self be wroke.a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Eiiv That on suche a female my flesshe wolde be wroken.1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc iv. i Canst thou hope..that these handes will not be wrooke on thee?1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 101 To wreake the loue I bore my Cozen, Vpon his body that hath slaughterd him. View more context for this quotationreflexive.c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 914 Godd wollde himm wrekenn o þe preost.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7510 Wrekeð [c1300 Otho werieþ] eow ȝif ȝe cunnen of Sexisce monnen.1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 46 Of fals Edrik fayn wild he him wreke.c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Balade. 395 Hym deynyth nat to wreke hym on a flye.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11963 Vr neghburs mai þam on vs wreke.c1450 Crt. of Love 702 She saw an egle wreke him on a fly.a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) lxxiv. 2 Comfort thy self my wofull hert Or shortly on thy self the wreke.1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc ii. i Attempt redresse by armes, and wreake your-self Upon his life.1604 R. Parsons 3rd Pt. Treat. Conuersions in Treat. Three Conuersions Eng. II. v. 192 The Duke thought best to vse this mans meanes, to wreake himselfe of the said Bishops.1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares iii. sig. F2 That I may wreake my selfe vpon my selfe.a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) x. 304 They usually wreaking themselves on the ministers as the cause of all public evils.c1830 in Child Ball III. 438/1 He micht hae spared my lady's life, And wreakit himsell on me!1872 Ld. Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 51 Well that ye came, or else these caitiff rogues Had wreak'd themselves on me.† c. To revenge (a person) of (on) a wrong, injury, etc. Obsolete.reflexive.c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 620 On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke, If I wiste how.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 22 About the park thai set..With vi hundreth.., All likly men to wrek thaim of thar harmes.1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 606/2 The man..wanted nothing but faithful subiectes to haue wroken himselfe of such wrongs.1578 T. Proctor Gorgious Gallery B iv That thou and I shall ioyne in ioy, and wreake vs of our wrong.† d. To deliver or rescue (a person) from or out of woe, etc. Obsolete. rare.† e. reflexive. To satisfy or gratify (oneself). Obsolete. rare.
a. To avenge (a person).In senses 5a and 5b, very frequent c1200–1600. The passive construction, to be wreaked ( †wroken), frequently implies that the revenge is taken by the injured party, and is thus equivalent to the reflexive use.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment for oneself [verb (reflexive)]
wreakc950
awreaka1250
vengea1340
avengec1380
wreche1398
revengec1425
requite1613
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute revenge [verb (reflexive)]
wreakc950
awreaka1250
vengea1340
avengec1380
wreche1398
revengec1425
right1598
requite1613
resent1618
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (a person)
wreakc950
rightOE
awreakc1275
vengec1325
avenge1377
revengea1470
wreck1570
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xviii. 5 Forðon woedo uel hefig wæs me..ðas widiua ic wræco ða ilco.
OE Beowulf 1385 Selre bið æghwæm, þæt he his freond wrece, þonne he fela murne.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 979 Hine nolden his eorðlican magas wrecan.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13782 Cumeð hidere to me and wreke we Beduer min æm.
13.. Sir Beues (A.) 4466 Wrekeþ ȝour fader wiþ ȝour miȝtes.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1856 Symeon and leui it bi-speken, And hauen here sister ðor i-wreken.
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 3295 Mani on slain þer lay... Ful wele wreken er þay.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 855 Þe wee in his wreth wrekis his modire.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxv. 451 Thei thought well to be wroken whan thei saugh tyme.
?a1500 Chester Pl. v. 101 Therfore how will I wroken be?
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 454/1 He wyll be wroken whan you shall thynke lest.
1587 J. Hooker tr. Giraldus Cambrensis Vaticinall Hist. Conquest Ireland i. xiv. 13/1 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II He counteth it for a sufficient reuenge, that he can reuenge and be wreaked.
1765 in Percy Reliques I. 106 And soon i' the Gordon's foul hartis bluid He's wroken his dear ladie.
1872 Ld. Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 24 Grant me some knight to.., Kill the foul thief, and wreak me for my son.
b. Const. of, on (†o, in), or upon (†up) one who has done harm, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment for oneself [verb (reflexive)] > of or on a wrongdoer
wreakc950
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute revenge [verb (reflexive)] > of or on a wrongdoer
wreakc950
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > of or on a wrong doer
wreakc950
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (a person) > of or on a wrongdoer
wreakc950
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xviii. 3 Widiua..cuoeð wræc ðu mec of wiðerworde minum.
993 Battle of Maldon 279 He his sincgyfan on þam sæmannum wurðlice wrec.
a1200 Vices & Virtues 5 Ðanne gelpð he ðat he is wel iwreken of his unwine.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 6092 [To] wreken uppen [c1300 Otho vppe] Maximien Valentin & Gratien.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2028 Ghe ðhenkeð on him for to ben wreken.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 5962 (Kölbing) Þe king..Wele him wrake of his foman.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 169 I wolde be wreken on þis [B. ii. 194 wroke of þo] wrecches.
a1400 Prymer (St. John's Cambr.) (1891) 31 In oure lordes name, y am wroken in hem.
c1450 Mirk's Festial i. 88 Lorde,..þou wreke me apon þis man.
1480 W. Caxton Trevisa's Higden (1482) 358 b He wold be wroken vpon kyng rychard.
1575 G. Gascoigne Dan Bartholmew 50 The Goddesse of revenge devisde So to bee wreackt on my rebelling wyll.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ii. sig. B6 Both greedie fiers on other to be wroken . View more context for this quotation
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. vi. 23 She..vpheld her wrathfull hand, With fell intent, on him to bene ywroke . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment for oneself [verb (reflexive)] > of or on an injury
wreak1340
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute revenge [verb (reflexive)] > of or on an injury
wreak1340
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender > of or on an injury
wreak1340
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (a person) > of or on an injury
wreak1340
right1605
1340–70 Alisaunder 76 Þe King was carefull in hert, Till hee were wroken of þe wrong.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 3199 He will me wreke on ȝoure werke wers þan of thefes.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 76 On euery wrong a man may nat be wreken.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 4634 Be wroke he wold of sum thing.
c1450 Erle Tolous 1028 Syth hyt ys soo, Cryste wreke hur of hur woo.
a1529 J. Skelton Colyn Cloute (?1545) sig. B.vii Then ye wyll be wroken Of euery lyght quarell.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 34 To find ane way of Pechtis to be wrok Of thair injure.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. v. sig. Q7 Stirring to bee wroke Of his late wronges.
1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn ii. sig. A3v Tis Gods decree to wreake vs of these harmes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > rescue or deliverance > rescue or deliver (from) [verb (transitive)]
areddec885
leeseOE
reddOE
winc1220
deliver?c1225
ridc1225
quita1250
betellc1275
casta1300
to cast outa1300
liverc1330
rescuec1330
wrechec1330
borrowc1350
to put out of ——c1350
to bring awaya1400
redea1400
wreakc1400
rescourec1425
rescousa1450
savec1480
relue1483
salue1484
redeem1488
recovera1500
redressa1500
eschewc1500
rescours1511
to pull (also snatch) out of the fire1526
recourse1533
withtakec1540
redeem1549
vindicate1568
retire1578
repair1591
reprieve1605
to bring off1609
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 375 Much þe bygger ȝet was my mon, Fro þou was wroken fro vch a woþe.
c1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 29 Out of whoo ȝet art not wrokyn, In helle logge þou xalt be lokyn.
c1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 330 I xal delyvere mannys kynne,—From wo I wole hem wreke!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > be contented [verb (reflexive)] > make oneself contented or satisfied
wreak1377
suffice1484
please1533
satisfy1542
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ix. 181 Whiles þow art ȝonge, and þi wepne kene, Wreke þe with wyuynge, ȝif þow wilt ben excused.
6. † c. To vindicate (something). Obsolete.
a. To take vengeance or inflict retributive punishment for, to avenge or revenge (some wrong, harm, or injury).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)]
wreakc825
payc1330
wreck1764
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict (retributive punishment) [verb (transitive)] > for an offence or on an offender
wreakc825
awreak1048
wrackc1275
wrakec1275
venge1303
bewreakc1325
avenge1377
hevena1400
sella1400
revengec1425
prosecute1543
pursue1570
wrecka1593
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (an injury or injured person)
wreakc825
awreak1048
righta1275
wrackc1275
wrakec1275
venge1303
bewreakc1325
avenge1377
hevena1400
sella1400
revengec1425
countervenge1523
wrecka1593
redeem1598
vindicate1623
to pay off1749
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxviii. 10 Wrec blod ðiowa ðinra ðæt agoten is.
OE Beowulf 1669 Ic..fyrendæda wræc, deaðcwealm Denigea.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9662 He þohten hider wenden & wræken [c1300 Otho wreke] his fader wunden.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 327 Þat non ne mihte comen hire to..with hir to speken, Þat euere mihte hire bale wreken.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. xxxii. 43 For the blood of his seruauntis he shal wreek.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17332 Mi-self es sett to wrek þe wrang.
1471 G. Ripley Compound of Alchymy Ep. ii. in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 109 Of your great fortune ye be not presumptuous, Nor vengeable of my rode to wreke every wrong.
a1525 Vergilius in W. J. Thoms Early Eng. Prose Romances (1858) II. 23 When wyll you wreke your faders dethe?
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1750 Now [is] tyme..To mene vs with manhode & our mys wreke.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades ix. 169 Yet list he not their wretched woe to wreake.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 71 The dome diuine..Yet strikes at last, and surely wreakes the wrong.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. xi. sig. K7 For of a womans hand it was ywroke, That of the wound he yet in languor lyes. View more context for this quotation
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse ii. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Dddd4/1 Lend me your helping hands to wreak the Parricide.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Twelfth Bk. Metamorphoses in Fables 432 Arms, Arms, the double form'd with Fury call; To wreak their Brother's death.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain ii. xxvii. 99 Vanoc's death must now be wroken.
1814– Lord of Isles iv. xxx O Scotland! shall it e'er be mine To wreak thy wrongs in battle-line.
1887 A. C. Swinburne Locrine iv. ii. 56 My will It is that holds me yet alive..Till all my wrong be wroken.
b. Const. on or upon (a person or persons).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > avenge (an injury or injured person) > on a person
wreakOE
avenge1377
visita1382
repay1614
OE Cynewulf Juliana 204 Gif þu leng ofer þis þurh þin dolwillen gedwolan fylgest, þonne ic nyde sceal ni þa gebæded on þære grimmestan godscyld wrecan.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2586 Wroken on þaim sal be þat wrang.
1423 Kingis Quair lxix On my-self bene al my harmys wrokin.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xii. 227 Wreik on thame the mekill Ill That thai and tharis has done vs till.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 390/1 in Chron. I That he might haue wroken his grief vpon him.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. xi. sig. Nn3v Perhaps this hand may..Wreake your sorrow on your cruell foe.
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. ix. 684 She..call'd the Pow'rs beneath On her own Son to wreak her Brother's Death.
1882 Ld. Tennyson Promise of May i. 507 Why then the crowd May wreak my wrongs upon my wrongers.
1883 R. W. Dixon Mano i. xii. 37 On him, [I] beseech thee, wreak my wrongs amain.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > vindicate
to-deraignc1320
justifya1382
wreakc1400
vindicate1641
c1400 26 Pol. Poems 18 God biddeþ vengeaunce hiȝe, And helpe trouþe be wel wroken.
1589 R. Robinson Golden Mirrour sig. C Poore clout-shooes gate their clubs, and willingly attend, To wreke there mistres cause.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > punish offence
wreakc888
visita1325
vengea1340
punish1340
revenge1531
vizy1562
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxviii. §7 Þæt is þonne hiora mildsung þæt mon wrece hiora unðeawas be hiora gewyrhtum.
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xlix. 383 Ðæt he ða gyltas..wrece on scyldegum monnum.
971 Blickl. Hom. 185 Swa se wer hit wreceþ gif his wif hie forhealdeþ.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 161 Godes wrake cumeð on þis woreld to wrekende on sun~fulle men here gultes.
a1240 Lofsong in Old Eng. Hom. I. 209 Ne bi-hold þu ham [sc. sins] nout leste þu wreoke ham on me.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3067 So sal ðin hardnesse ben wreken, Ðat men sulen longe ðor-after speken.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 77 Þat wikkednes, þat men suld haf wroken.
a1375 Lay Folks Mass Bk. App. iv. 395 Þat god may wreke Euerich a word þat we speke.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 44 A reynart that ye now al thus haue your wyl, I pray god to wreke it.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. ii. sig. Aa5v There gan he..With bitter wracke To wreake on me the guilt of his owne wrong. View more context for this quotation
?1610 J. Fletcher Faithfull Shepheardesse v. sig. K3v Else Pan wreake With double vengeance, my disloyalty.
8.
a. To inflict or take (vengeance, etc.) on or upon a person; to execute or carry out by way of punishment or revenge.In frequent use from c1830.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)]
vengea1382
wreak1490
wrakea1753
wreck1764
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) i. 30 That ye make punyssyon thereof and wrek on hym grete vengaunce.
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Sigismonda & Guiscardo in Fables 145 He left the Dame, Resolv'd..To wreak his Vengeance, and to cure her Love.
1758 P. Williamson Life & Adventures (1812) 39 So desirous was every man to have a share in wreaking his revenge on them [sc. dead Indians].
1772 J. Priestley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 412 Xerxes..wreaked his vengeance upon Babylon.
1812 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (ed. 2) I. iv. vii. 263 Though a powerful nation may wrong its neighbours.., yet sooner or later an historian springs up, who wreaks ample chastisement on it, in return.
1855 F. A. Paley Æschylus (1861) Pref. p. xxv Till vengeance had been wreaked for the wrongs suffered in life.
1872 Ld. Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 78 Thou hast wreak'd his justice on his foes.
1899 A. C. Swinburne Rosamund ii. 32/2 I would the deed Were done, the wreak of wrath were wroken, and I Dead.
b. To cause or effect (harm, damage, etc.), esp. in to wreak havoc. (For wrought havoc see work v. Phrases 8.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > cause or effect (harm) [verb (transitive)]
visita1382
watcha1586
wreak1817
to play hob1838
to raise hob1911
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > have befallen as a misfortune to [verb (transitive)] > bring disaster upon
doa1375
pluckc1475
ruin1558
tragedize1593
disaster1596
planet-strike1600
to bring to grief1850
to do in1905
to wreak havoc1926
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna ii. xxxix. 51 With thee..will I seek Through their array of banded slaves to wreak Ruin upon the tyrants.
1819 P. B. Shelley Rosalind & Helen 37 That poor and hungry men should break The laws which wreak them toil and scorn, We understand.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. ii. 17 [In] the fog..the unpopular steamer..always was..wreaking destruction upon somebody or something.
1880 Daily News 22 Sept. Landslips..are looked for and wreak but little harm.
1926 A. Christie Murder of Roger Ackroyd xx. 239 Annie is not allowed to wreak havoc with a dustpan and brush.
1976 B. Fell America B.C. viii. 101 The storm waves could surely wreak more havoc upon the timbered hulls of Phoenician galleys than on the steel plates of modern ships.
1978 C. Rayner Long Acre vii. 70 Fenton, well aware of the havoc he was wreaking in poor Miss Emma's heart, wickedly fed her passion for him.
1983 Times 21 Nov. 7/7 Moko, the banana disease, has already wreaked havoc on the trade.
1984 Daily Tel. 5 Nov. 20/2 The feared shake-out in microcomputer manufacturing..will wreak havoc in the industry.
c. To inflict or deliver (a blow, etc.); to deal.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harmful action > [verb (transitive)]
wreak1817
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > deal or give (a stroke or blow)
setc1300
smitec1300
layc1330
drivec1380
slentc1380
hit?a1400
to lay ona1400
reacha1400
fetchc1400
depart1477
warpc1480
throw1488
lenda1500
serve1561
wherret1599
senda1627
lunge1735
to lay in1809
wreak1817
to get in1834
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna i. x. 6 The wreathed Serpent..did ever seek Upon his enemy's heart a mortal wound to wreak.
1849 Meredith in Chambers' Edinb. Mag. July 16/2 There the murder-mouthed artillery..Wrok the thunder of its treachery On the skeleton brigade.
1897 F. Thompson New Poems 55 Though they wreak Upon me stroke and again stroke.
9. With out. To exact by way of punishment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > execute (vengeance) [verb (transitive)] > exact retribution
wreak1879
1879 A. W. Momerie Origin Evil i. 16 Justice, which can only be appeased by wreaking out a certain quantity of agony as an equivalent for a certain quantity of sin.
IV. To take vengeance, and related uses.† 10. intransitive. To take vengeance; to inflict punishment. Also const. on. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > inflict retributive punishment [verb (intransitive)]
wreakc825
to do, have, nim (= take), ta, or take wrake (of, on, or upon)?a900
to do (also take) wrack (on one)12..
to do, have, make, nim, seek, and esp. take wrechec1200
to take (also nim) vengeance1297
to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreakc1330
visita1382
vengec1400
revengec1485
avenge1535
hevenc1540
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > take or execute revenge [verb (intransitive)]
wreakc825
to do, have, nim (= take), ta, or take wrake (of, on, or upon)?a900
to do (also take) wrack (on one)12..
to do, have, make, nim, seek, and esp. take wrechec1200
to take (also nim) vengeance1297
wrakea1300
to perform, seek, spend, work, and esp. take (…) wreakc1330
visita1382
vengec1400
revengec1485
avenge1535
hevenc1540
resent1612
exact1858
c825 Vesp. Psalter cxvii. 12 In noman dryhtnes ic wreocu in him.
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care lvi. 435 Ic wrice on eow æfter eowrum geðeahte.
c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) cxlix. 7 Mid þy hi wrecan þenceað wraðum cynnum.
a1200 Vices & Virtues 77 Lat him wreke ðe is riht deme ouer ðe liuiende.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2049 Hu wrakeliche, wenestu, wule he, al o wraððe, wreken on þe, wrecche!
a1325 Prose Psalter xcviii. 9 Our God, þou herd hem; þou, God, was mercyful to hem and byginnand to wreke in alle her fyndeynges.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 198 Bot neuer ȝet..I herde Þat euer he wrek so wyþerly on werk þat he made.
a1500 Ratis Raving 2786 Thai here glaidly, and lytill spekis, Laith for to crab and seldin wrekis.
c1614 W. Mure tr. Virgil Dido & Æneas iii. in Wks. (1898) I. 252 Fy, now ȝowr oares employ, Sack, wreak, revenge, demolish and destroy!
Derivatives
ˈwreaking n.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > retributive punishment > [noun] > infliction of
hevening1303
wreakingc1374
vengeance-takingc1386
vindication1484
revenging1485
avengementa1513
avenging1541
the world > action or operation > behaviour > reciprocal treatment or return of an action > revenge > [noun] > action of taking revenge
wreakingc1374
vengeance-takingc1386
vindication1484
revenging1485
avenging1541
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (1868) iv. met. vii. 147 Agamenon..purged in wrekyng by þe destruccioun of troie þe loste chambres of mariage of hys broþer.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 19336 Queþir gie wil driue on us þe blame Of ani wreking of [Fairf. on] þis name.
c1440 York Myst. xxix. 323 Thy wordis and werkis will haue a wrekyng.
a1638 J. Mede Wks. (1672) 298 When our hearts..tell us it is but the wreaking of our Malice.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables xxxviii. 41 The Wreaking of a Malice, and..the gratifying of a Revenge.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1928; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.a1300v.c725- wellhoused
- wellhued
- wellhumored
- wellhumoured
- wellhung
- wellhusbanded
- wellies
- wellimagined
- wellimitated
- wellimproved
- wellinclined
- wellinformed
- welling
- welling hot
- welling woe
- welling wood
- welling-lead
- wellinglead
- wellings
- wellington
- wellington apple
- wellington boot
- wellington chest
- wellington coat
- wellington hat