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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wan(e, v. Also: wayn, waine, (wendin). [ME and e.m.E. wanie(n (c1200), wonie(n (Layamon), wain (1584-7), waine (a1628), OE wanian, wǫnian, MDu. waenen, wanen, ON vana.]

1. intr.To decrease or diminish in strength or importance, esp. with the passage of time, to age. a1400 Leg. S. l 126.
All ydolis of stok & stane Mone nedling rot, & wast, & wane c1420 Ratis R. 1576.
With tyme al thing mone were & wan Bot Goddis mycht and God allan 1456 Hay II 90/22.
Than sall he be reprovit … and put to perpetuale defame … And than suld his regne have na prosperitee, bot ay his lordschip suld doune grow and wane a1500 Henr. Age & Yowth 63.
Eild sall gar thé fald … Thy wittis fyve sall wane thocht thow nocht wald 1533 Boece 409b.
Sa lang as the forme of the king was turnit afore the fyre, he was in continuale swete … and euer as the walx dissoluit, his persoun dwynyt and wanyt 1604-31 Craig i 41.
Sadd are my thoughts, sowr sighs; and salt my tearis: My body thus els waik both wayn's and wearis

2. Of the moon: To wane.(a) c1420 Wynt. i 854.
Syles waxis wytht the mowne And wanys agayne as dois the lune a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iii 12.
The mone … keeps a course, and changis not so sone, Bot in ane ordour waxis ay and wanis 1609 Garden Garden 32.
The silver Cynthia Doeth both incresse and waine Into a month(b) a1500 Henr. Age & Yowth 46 (Bann.).
Thy manheid sall wendin as the mone

3. Of the sea, a flood, etc.: To ebb, subside. 1456 Hay I 76/10.
The mannis harnis is full in the full mone and at the full see, and wanis as the see 1460 Hay Alex. 16304.
The wattir wanyt the schip devalit doun

4. tr.To diminish, cause to decrease. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1208.
I aught as prynce him to prise for his prouese That wanyt noght my wourschip