▪ I. † wrenk, n. Sc. and north. Obs.
Forms: α. 4–5 wrenk(e. β. 5–6 wrink(e, wrynk.
[Northern var. of wrench n.1 Cf. next.]
1. = wrench n.1 1. Freq. coupled with wile.
| c 1325 Metr. Hom. Prol. 2 Thou filde this gaste sa full of witte..That al bestes er red for man, Sa mani wyle and wrenk he can. c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 1360 Þe world..ledes a man with wrenkes and wyles. 13.. Cursor M. 13336 (Gött.), Na wrenkes [other MSS. wrenches] of þe maledight Againes hir sal haue no might. c 1440 York Myst. xxx. 67 With wrynkis and with wiles to wend me my weys. c 1480 Henryson Fox, Wolf & Cadger 37 For euerie wrink, forsuith, thow hes ane wyle. a 1500 in Ratis Raving, etc. 3 the deuill wyll cast mony wrenkis of falsait. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems xxx. 42 In me..wes mony wrink and wyle. a 1508 Mersar in Bannatyne MS. (Hunter. Club) 808/19 For every wrynk luk that ye haif a wyle. |
2. Trickery, deception; = wrench n.1 2.
| 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 246 For falshed & for wrenk he forsuore þe land. |
▪ II. † wrenk, v. Obs. rare.
Also 4 wrenke, wrinck.
[Northern var. of wrench v. Cf. prec.]
1. intr. To writhe; to turn away.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 17458 Bot iesu crist þat rightwis es,..A-wai to wrenk he dos þe wrang. Ibid. 19353 Þan be-gan þai wrenk [Gött. wrinck, Fairf. wrenche] and wrest, And for tene þair tethe to gnast. |
2. trans. To turn aside, to divert from oneself. (Cf. wrench v. 4 b.)
| a 1300 Cursor M. 26385 Þis ypocrites..wald ai wrenk þair aun wites, For to sem þam-self god and lele. |