Defn: The edible tuber of a species of arrowhead (Sagittaria variabilis); — so called by the Indians of Oregon. [Written also wappato.]
WAPED Waped, a. Etym: [Prov. E. wape pale, v., to stupefy, akin to wap to beat. Cf. Whap, and Wappened.]
Defn: Cast down; crushed by misery; dejected. [Obs.]
WAPENTAKE Wap"en*take, n. Etym: [AS. w, w, from Icel. vapnatak, literally, a weapon taking or weapon touching, hence an expression of assent ("si displicuit sententia fremitu aspernantur; sin placuit frameas concutiunt." Tacitus, "Germania," xi.). See Weapon, and Take. This name had its origin in a custom of touching lances or spears when the hundreder, or chief, entered on his office. "Cum quis accipiebat præfecturam wapentachii, die statuto in loco ubi consueverant congregari, omnes majores natu contra eum conveniebant, et descendente eo de equo suo, omnes assurgebant ei. Ipse vero, erecta lancea sua, ab omnibus secundum morem foedus accipiebat; omnes enim quot-quot venissent cum lanceis suis ipsius hastam tangebant, et ita se confirmabant per contactum armorum, pace palam concessa. Wæpnu enim arma sonat; tac, tactus est — hac de causa totus ille conventus dicitur Wapentac, eo quod per tactum armorum suorum ad invicem confoederati sunt." L L. Edward Confessor, 33. D. Wilkins.]
Defn: In some northern counties of England, a division, or district, answering to the hundred in other counties. Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Nottinghamshire are divided into wapentakes, instead of hundreds. [Written also wapentac.] Selden. Blackstone.
WAPINSCHAW
Wap"in*schaw, n. Etym: [Scot. See Weapon, and Show.]
Defn: An exhibition of arms. according to the rank of the individual, by all persons bearing arms; — formerly made at certain seasons in each district. [Scot.] Jamieson. Sir W. Scott.
WAPITI
Wap"i*ti, n. Etym: [Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American elk (Cervus Canadensis). It is closely related to the European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size.
Note: By some writers it is thought to be a variety of the red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by others. It is noted for the large, branching antlers of the male.