weif

Middle English

Alternative forms

wayf, wayff, waif, waife, wayph, weyff, weyf, wayve, weyve

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman waif, from Old Norse veif (“flag”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /wɛi̯f/

Noun

weif (plural weifs)

Unowned goods; property lacking an owner:
1. A waif; a castaway or vagabond.
2. An unowned specimen of livestock.
The privilege of being able to take in such goods.
The money deriving from selling unowned goods.

Descendants

English: waif
Scots: waith, waff

References

“weif (n.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-07-12.

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