wharrow, a little instrument fixed on a spindle for the string of the ‘turn’ to run in; a small pulley on a spindle. Skelton, El. Rummyng, 298. See passage from Guillim’s Display of Heraldry (ed. 1724, p. 300), quoted in EDD. (s.v.). Cognate with OE. hweorfa, the ‘whorl’ which helps to turn the spindle (B. T.).
what, whatsoever thing; ‘Such homely what as serves the simple clowne’, Spenser, F. Q. vi. 9. 7; ‘Come downe and learne the little what that Thomalin can sayne’, Shep. Kal., July, 31.
whelk, a pimple, blotch. Hen. V, iii. 6. 108. A Derbyshire word, see EDD. (s.v. Whelk, sb.2). ME. whelke (Chaucer, C. T. A. 632).
when, (?) an exclamation of impatience. Short for ‘when will you do what is bidden you?’, Webster, Duch. of Malfi, ii. 1 (Duchess); iv. 2 (Bosola). Common.
whe’r, whether. Often spelt where. Tempest, v. 1. 111; King John, i. 1. 75.
where, whereas; wherever; whence. L. L. L. ii. 1. 103; Mids. Night’s D. v. 1. 93; Hen. V, iii. 5. 15.
whereas, where that, where. 2 Hen. VI, i. 2. 58; Pericles, i. 4. 70. Not uncommon.
where-some-ere, wheresoever. Greene, Alphonsus, i. 2. G. Wheresomever is heard in Lanc. (EDD.).
wherrit, whirrit, a blow, a thump, a smart box on the ear. Fletcher, Nice Valour, iii. 2 (Lapet); ‘A whirret on the eare’, Kendall, Flowers of Epigrammes’ (Nares). Still in prov. use in the north (EDD.).
wherry; see [whirry].