Welde, v. S. to wield, govern (a kingdom), 129, 175; (a weapon), 1436; (possessions), 2034. Weldes, pr. t. 2 p. wieldest, governest, 1359.
Wende, v. S. to go, 1346, 1705, 2629. Wenden, pr. t. pl. subj. 1344. Wende, pr. t. pl. 2 p. go, 1440. Wend, part. pa. turned, 2138.
Wene, v. S. pres. sing, ween, think, 655, 840, 1260, &c. Wenes, pr. t. 2 p. thinkest, 598. Wenestu, 1787, thinkest thou. Wend, Wende, pa. t. thought, 374, 524, 1091, 1803, &c. Wenden, pa. t. pl. 1197, 2547.
Wepen, pr. t. or pa. t. pl. S. weep, wept, 401.
Wepne, n. S. weapon, 89, 490, 1436, &c.
Wer for Were, 1097.
[Werd], n. S. world, 1290, 2241, 2335, 2792, 2968. O worde, in the world, 1349. Cf. Ward = world, in Lancelot of the Laik, and Gen. and Exod. ed. Morris, ll. 280, 591.
Were, v. S. [werian] to defend, 2152, 2298. Sir Tr. p. 156; Yw. and Gaw. 2578; Horn Childe, ap. Rits. M. R., V. 3, p. 289; K. of Tars, 189; Chauc. C. T. 2552, V. Note, p. 182. Werie, K. Horn, ed. Lumby, 785, Web., Minot, Gl. Lynds.
Were, should be, 2782. Weren, 3 p. pl. were, 156, &c.
[Weren], 784. Sir F. Madden says—Garnett conjectured weirs or dams, from Isl. ver. [If weren be really a plural noun, I should prefer to translate it by pools; cf. A.S. wær, Icel. ver, Su.-Go. wär. Ihre says— “Wär, locus, ubi congregari amant pisces, ut solent inter brevia et vada. Isl. ver, fiskaver. A.S. id. unde ver-hurde apud Bens. custos septi piscatorii, Angl. wier, wear, &c.” See wer in Stratmann. In this case the line means— “in the sea-pools he often set them,” and the note on the line (q.v.) is wrong.]