▪ I. † unˈwight, n. Obs.
[un-1 4 b. Cf. ON. {uacu}vættr evil spirit.]
An evil being or spirit; a fiend or monster; spec. the devil.
| a 1200 St. Marher. 3 Ne þole þu neauer þe unwiht þat he weorri mi wit. c 1205 Lay. 15734 Nat ic..wha hine biȝate inne weorlde riche, no whaðer hit weore unwiht. a 1225 Ancr. R. 238 Hwo se..uihteð..aȝan þe unwiht of helle. Ibid. 300 Þe sunfule is þe unwihtes lond. a 1250 Owl & Night. 33 Vnwyht, heo seyde, awey þu fleo. Ibid. 218 Hwi dostu þat vnwihtes doþ? Þu singest anyht & nouht aday. c 1230 Hali Meid. 41 Þu forhores te wið þe unwiht of helle. c 1275 Sinners Beware 4 in O.E. Misc. 72 Þeos holy gostes myhte..wisse vs and theche To wyten vs wyþ þan vnwihte, Þat..þencheþ vs to bipeche. |
b. Used as adj. (but the Cotton MS. has unwrþ ‘unworth’, rhyming with noȝt wrþ).
| a 1250 Owl & Night. (Jesus MS.) 339 Þu..makest þi song so vnwiht Þat me ne telleþ of þe nowiht. |
▪ II. † unˈwight, a. Obs.—0
(un-1 7.)
| 1570 Levins Manip. 120 Vnwight, inualidus. |