wanty
(ˈwɒntɪ)
Forms: α. (4 waynte), 5 wanteye, 6–8 wantey (6 wantie, wante, 7 wantyghe, waunty), 7–9 wantye, (8 wamtye), 6– wanty; β. Sc. and north. 6 wantow, 6–7 wanton (6 wantoun, wyanton), 7 wantoe, (9 wanteau). For mod. dial. forms see Eng. Dial. Dict.
[Apparently two synonymous words (ultimately identical in etymology) have been confused. The β forms represent the later phonetic development of wame-tow. The α forms seem to presuppose an original *wametie, in which tow n.2 (a. ON. taug) has been replaced by the etymologically equivalent tie n. (:—OE. téaᵹ). But since in some dialects the unstressed -tow would regularly become -ty, the two words cannot be distinguished with certainty.]
† 1. A rope or band used to fasten the pack on a pack-saddle or a load on the back of a horse. Obs.
| α 1390 Earl Derby's Exped. (Camden) 48 Pro ij girthes ij wayntes et ij hokes pro les paniers pro pullis, ij s. j d. st. 1434 Maldon (Essex) Court Rolls Bundle 20, No. 2 Per 1 equum nigrum cum paksadel et wanteye. 1573–80 Tusser Husb. (1878) 36 A panel and wantey, packsaddle and ped. 1587 L. Mascall Govt. Cattle, Horses (1596) 119 Harnaises..and all things belonging thereunto: as haltars,..wanties, packsaddels, backwanties and belly wanties. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 58 They carry also great burthens or loads tyed to their backs with ropes and wantyghtes [? read wantyghes]. 1618–19 Maldon (Essex) Deeds Bundle 477 (MS.), At severall tymes hath gone ouer Fulbridge with his horse and pack and refuseth to paye the duty for his wantye. 1713 Lond. Gaz. No. 5140/4 Lost..a..Gelding, with Hair-cloth and Wanty. 1793 Jrnls. Ho. Comm. 28 Mar. 535/2 Toll..for every Horse tied with a Wantye or Wamtye, 2d. that shall pass through Stratford Langthorn. 1813 A. Young Agric. Essex I. 108, 3 belly wanties, at 2s. 6{supd}. 1886 W. Somerset Work-bk., Wantye, the belt or strap of raw hide which used to pass over the pack-saddle and round the belly of the horse. |
| β 1503 Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. II. 404 Item, for ane collair to him and ane wantoun for the weschale, xiiij d. 1545–6 Ibid. VIII. 441 Item, for ane bridill with the bit,..ane collar with bellis, and ane wanton. 1549 Inv. Brisse (Somerset Ho.), Hackney saddill, stirropes, & garthes and other wantowes. 1577 Inv. Airaie (Somerset Ho.), Wanton sadle and girth. 1828 [Carr] Craven Gloss. s.v., A wanteau was generally made of hemp, to which was attached an iron hoop, to fasten sacks on pack-saddles. 1837 Thornber Blackpool 310 Grain..was conveyed to Preston on the back of pack-horses, the load being tied on a wooden saddle, with a girth named a ‘wantah’. |
2. The belly-band of a shaft-horse.
dial.| 1854 A. E. Baker Northampt. Gloss., Wanty,..the name is still preserved in the hempen cord or leather strap which passes under the horse, and is secured to both shafts, to prevent the cart rising up when heavily laden. |
3. attrib., as
† wanty bottom,
† wanty rope,
† wanty shaft.
| 1583 Shuttleworth's Acc. (Chetham Soc.) 6 Fyve *wyantones boddomes, xij{supd}. 1612 Ibid. 204 Wanton bothomes, x{supd}. |
| 1569 Bury Wills (Camden) 155 Item I gyue to my brother..my best pack sadell withe a newe wante and *wantyrop withe the best girt. 1624 Toke (Kent) Estate Acc. (MS.) fol. 66, 2 wanty rops. |
| 1611–12 Shuttleworths' Acc. (Chetham Soc.) 199 Foure *wanton shaffes and a paire of tresses, xviij{supd}. 1617 Ibid. 226, 4 wantoe shaftes, xij{supd}. |