thwait(e dial.
(θweɪt)
Also 7 twaite.
[a. ON. þveit, þveiti a piece of land, a paddock, lit. a cutting, cut-piece, f. *þv{iacu}ta = OE. þw{iacu}tan to cut, cut off, thwite.]
A piece of ground; esp. a piece of ground cleared from forest or reclaimed from waste. Now rare or Obs. as a separate word. (Hence the surname Thwaites.)
Entering into numerous place-names, esp. in Cumbria, and N. Lancashire, as Applethwaite, Crosthwaite, Dowthwaite, Ormthwaite, Seathwaite, etc..
| 1628 Coke On Litt. 4 b, Twaite signifieth a wood grubbed up and turned to arable. 1670 in Blount Law Dict. s.v. 1777 Nicolson & Burn Hist. Westmld. & Cumbld. II. 14 Several parts and parcels,..differing in form and quality of soil, or otherwise inclosed by the inhabitants from the barren waste of the fells, such parts and parcels are..called thwaits. 1825 Brockett N.C. Words, Thwaite, a level pasture field. 1832 J. Bree St. Herbert's Isle 125 A thwaite was a portion of ground cleared of wood for residence or cultivation. |