Middle English Dictionary Entry
whist interj. or v. imperative
Entry Info
Forms | whist interj. or v. imperative Also whisht, qwist. |
Etymology | Imitative, though perh. influenced by other verbs in wh- used in the impv. or by hust adj. (b), from which quots. a1425(a1382) & c1475 should be deleted, along with the spellings whist, whisht, qwist in the form section. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Be quiet!, hush!
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Judg.18.19 : To whom þei answerdyn ‘whist [vr. Whisht; WB(2): Be thou stille; L tace], & put fyngyr vp on þi mouth, & cum with vs.’
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)557 : Qwyst! pesse! I xall go to hys ere and tytyll þerin.
- c1475 Mankind (Folg V.a.354)593 : Qwyst! pesse! þe Deull ys dede! I xall goo ronde in hys ere.