An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

A. S. wraec, wraece, Belg. wraecke, ultio, vindicia.

WRAITH, WRAYTH, WRAITHE, WRETH, s.
1. Properly, an apparition in the exact likeness of a person, supposed by the vulgar to be seen before, or soon after death, S.
K. James.
2. Sometimes used, but improperly, to denote a spirit supposed to preside over the waters.
Lewis.

Moes. G. ward-jan, A. S. weard-an, custodire; as the apparition, called a wraith, was supposed to be that of one's guardian angel. A. S. weard, a guardian, a keeper.

WRAITH, s.. Provision, food.
Henrysone.

Su. G. ward, Isl. verd, id.; from Su. G. war-a, to eat.

WRAITH, adj. Wroth.
Douglas.

Wraithly, adv. Furiously.
Wallace.

WRAK, WRAIK, WRACK, WRECK, WREK, s.
1. Whatever is thrown out by the sea, as broken pieces of wood, sea-weed, &c., S.
2. Often appropriated to sea-weed, S.
Barry.

This receives different names in different parts of S.; as, button wrack, lady wrack, &c.

Stat. Acc.
3. The weeds gathered from land, and generally piled up in heaps for being burnt, S.
Pennecuik.
4. Trash, refuse of any kind.
Bannatyne Poems.