† to-ˈwend, v. Obs.
[OE. towendan, f. to-2 + wendan to turn, wend.]
1. trans. To turn over; to overthrow, demolish; to turn upside down, disturb greatly.
| c 893 K. ælfred Oros. vi. x. §1 Hi woldon towendon ealle þa ᵹesetnessa & ealle þa ᵹebodu þe Domitianus hæfde ær ᵹeset. c 1000 ælfric Hom. I. 46 We ᵹehyrdon..þæt Crist towyrpð þas stowe, and towent ða ᵹesetnysse ðe us Moyses tæhte. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 191 Mid þusendfeld wrenches þe deuel to-wendeð þe herte. c 1205 Lay. 27062 Þæ astalden þer flem..Þa rugges to-wenden [c 1275 Þo torne..hii þe rugges]. 1225 Ancr. R. 324 A wummon þet haueð forloren hir nelde [= needle] oðer a sutare his el, he secheð hine anonriht, & to-went euerich strea uort he beo ifunden. |
2. intr. a. To turn in different directions, disperse, separate. b. To go to pieces, break asunder; also fig.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 75 Þe twelue apostles..er heo to⁓wenden in to al þis middelerd. c 1205 Lay. 30235 Duglas þa water wes ihaten Þer heo tou-wenden. c 1374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 102 His myghty spere as he was wont to fyght He shaketh so that almost it to-wonde Ful hevy was he to walken ouer londe. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2568 Ogier Denys..smot to sire Mahound Þat al to pieces he to-wond & ful doun on þe ground. a 1400 Sir Beues (E.) 1645 + 27 He smoot þe dore vp wiþ hys ffoot, Þat þe dore al towond. |