▪ I. wift
variant of whift n.
▪ II. wift, v. Obs. or dial.
Also 6 wyfft.
[Onomatopœic.]
intr. † a. To turn aside or go astray (obs.). b. To move lightly to and fro, or along; to waver; to drift.
| 1554–8 in Songs & Ball. Phil. & Mary (Roxb.) 4 To walke the wurthy wayes, and frame them not to wyfft. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. xvi. v. 63 Dragons, wrought with woufe of purple thred,..leaving their winding tailes to wift in the wind. 1864 Harland's Lanc. Lyrics (1866) 234 An' tell me, while thae 'rt wiftin' on, Heaw things are deawn i' Howden Dale. |