† widge dial. Obs.
Also 3 irreg. wig.
[OE. wicg = OS. wigg, ON. vigg:—OTeut. *wegjom, f. weg- to carry (see way n., weigh, etc.).]
In OE. (poetical) a steed; later, a beast of burden; in quot. 1553, a mare.
For the specialization of meaning, cf. F. jument mare, from L. jumentum beast of burden.
| Beowulf 234 Ᵹewat him þa to waroðe wicge ridan þeᵹn Hroðgares. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 89 [He] bed hem bringen a wig one to riden, noðer stede, ne palefrei, ne fair mule..he sende after þe alre unwurþeste wig one to riden, and þat is asse. 1553 Respublica iv. iii. 1023 That tyme chad a widge, and hir vole. |