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单词 way
释义

wayn.1int.1

Brit. /weɪ/, U.S. /weɪ/
Forms: early Old English uuaeg, early Old English weagas (Mercian, plural), early Old English wi- (Kentish, in compounds), Old English oeg (Northumbrian, perhaps transmission error), Old English uæg (Northumbrian, rare), Old English ueg (rare), Old English wege (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English wegh- (inflected form, rare), Old English weigg (rare), Old English węig (rare), Old English wig (rare), Old English woeg (Northumbrian), Old English woege (Northumbrian, accusative), Old English (early Middle English in copy of Old English charter) uueg, Old English–early Middle English wæg, Old English (rare)–early Middle English wæig, Old English–early Middle English weg, Old English (early Middle English in copy of Old English charter) wegg- (inflected form), Old English–early Middle English weig, Old English (chiefly non-West Saxon)–early Middle English weog- (inflected form), late Old English geweyge (dative, apparently transmission error), late Old English weages (genitive), late Old English wegg, late Old English węg (Kentish), late Old English–early Middle English wæi, late Old English–1500s wei, early Middle English ȝeie (dative, transmission error), early Middle English waiȝ- (inflected form), early Middle English wæȝ, early Middle English wæiȝ- (inflected form), early Middle English weȝ, early Middle English weȝȝe ( Ormulum), early Middle English weige, early Middle English weoȝes (south-west midlands, plural), Middle English veie, Middle English vey, Middle English veye, Middle English waghe, Middle English waieȝ, Middle English wayȝe, Middle English weghe (in copy of Old English charter), Middle English weieȝe, Middle English weiȝ, Middle English weiȝe, Middle English weyȝ, Middle English weyȝe, Middle English whey, Middle English wige (in copy of Old English charter), Middle English woy, Middle English woye, Middle English wye, Middle English–1500s vaye, Middle English–1500s wai, Middle English–1500s weie, Middle English–1500s weye, Middle English–1500s wy, Middle English–1500s (1800s– English regional) wey, Middle English–1600s waie, Middle English–1700s waye, Middle English– way, late Middle English wha- (northern, in compounds), late Middle English whay, 1500s wejes (plural), 1500s–1600s wea, 1600s wai, 1600s waijes (plural), 1800s wah (English regional (Suffolk)), Middle English–1500s (1800s English regional) vay, 1800s– wee (English regional (Cheshire)); Scottish pre-1700 uay, pre-1700 va, pre-1700 vay, pre-1700 vaye, pre-1700 voyes (plural), pre-1700 wae, pre-1700 wai, pre-1700 waie, pre-1700 waig, pre-1700 waiy, pre-1700 waye, pre-1700 weage, pre-1700 weay, pre-1700 weie, pre-1700 wes (plural), pre-1700 weye, pre-1700 1700s– way, pre-1700 1800s wa, pre-1700 1800s– wey, pre-1700 1800s– wy, pre-1700 1800s– wye, 1700s–1800s wa', 1800s wause (plural), 1800s wauy, 1800s weigh, 1800s– w'y, 1800s– waa, 1800s– wie, 1800s– wis (Shetland, plural), 1900s– waey, 2000s– wase (plural); also Irish English 1800s wy (Wexford), 1800s wyse (Wexford, plural), 1900s– wey (northern). N.E.D. (1926) also records forms Middle English wie, late Middle English weij.
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian wei , wī (West Frisian wei , North Frisian wāi ), Old Dutch weg (Middle Dutch wech , Dutch weg ), Old Saxon weg (Middle Low German wech ), Old High German weg (Middle High German wēc , German Weg ), Old Icelandic vegr , Old Swedish vägher (Swedish väg ), Old Danish wægh , wagh (Danish vej ), Gothic wigs < the same Germanic base as weigh v.1Semantic note. The Germanic verbal base originally refers to carrying, bearing loads, and hence transportation (see weigh v.1), with the noun denoting the road along which goods are transported; compare (from a suffixed form of the same base) wain n.1, denoting a means of transport. Those aspects of the verbal base which refer to carrying loads are reflected in the English nouns weigh n.1 and wey n.1 Form history. In Old English usually a strong masculine; a weak genitive plural is occasionally attested. Old English weg has an inherited short stem vowel e followed by a palatalized g (originally only palatalized word-finally and before front vowels of the inflectional ending, i.e. in the singular), which regularly yields early Middle English ei after vocalization of the stem-final consonant. The variation between spellings in ei , ey , etc., and in ai , ay , etc., in later Middle English results from the Middle English merger of the diphthongs ei and ai ; the spelling with ay came to be preferred in modern standard English. In the Kentish and Mercian varieties of Old English, inflected forms with diphthong eo are sometimes attested, apparently the result of back mutation of the stem vowel before back vowels of the inflectional ending; compare early Middle English (south-west midland) weoȝes (plural). In addition, forms with rounding of the vowel, caused by initial w- , also occur sporadically in the history of the word; compare Old English (Northumbrian) woeg, Middle English woye. With the variation between ey and ay in later English compare discussion at grey adj. Notes on senses. Frequently used to translate the unrelated Anglo-Norman veie , Anglo-Norman, Old French, Middle French, French voie (see voye n.) and its etymon classical Latin via , which have a similar semantic range. With the king's way at sense A. 2a compare the king's highway at highway n. 1a and Old English cynges strǣt ; compare also post-classical Latin via regia (see highway n.) and further Anglo-Norman chemin real , Middle French, French chemin royal (1260 as real chemyn , or earlier). In waye couerd in quot. 1481 at sense A. 2d (with reference to a siege engine) after Old French voie covert (13th cent. in the passage translated in the quot., in turn translating post-classical Latin scropha sow (compare sow n.1 4a)); with later uses with reference to fortifications compare chemin couvert (1574 or earlier; compare covert way n. at covert adj. 1b). With first ways at sense A. 5 compare post-classical Latin primae viae (lit. ‘first ways’) the alimentary canal (1579 or earlier). In dry way at sense A. 17c (in alchemical and chemical use) after post-classical Latin via sicca (1610 or earlier); in humid way, etc. after post-classical Latin via humida (1618 or earlier); compare French voie sèche and voie humide , respectively (both 1698 or earlier). In biblical contexts (especially in senses A. 3 and A. 16) often used to translate classical Latin via (in post-classical Latin use: Vulgate) and its usual models Hebrew dereḵ (compare madrich n.) and ancient Greek ὁδός (in Hellenistic Greek use: New Testament) (see -ode comb. form2). In later uses in sense A. 16d also used to express similar concepts in other religions; compare e.g. marga n. 2, tao n. (both lit. ‘way, path’), and (with uses in Muslim contexts) the corresponding extended use of Arabic sabīl way, road, path (frequent already in the Qur'an). In the Way at sense A. 16d(b) (with specific reference to the practice of Christianity) after Hellenistic Greek ἡ ὁδός (New Testament; specifically in Acts 9:2, 19:9, 23, 24:14, 22), probably ultimately with allusion to Old Testament uses (e.g. Isaiah 48:17 ‘the way that thou shouldest go’ (King James Version)). With ‘the way of the Lord’ in quot. 1582 (Acts 19:9) compare occasional uses of post-classical Latin via Domini in variant readings of the passages in Acts (Vetus Latina in these contexts) and also via Domini in Isaiah 40:3 (Vulgate; Hebrew dereḵ 'ăḏōnāy ). Perhaps compare also John 14:6 (see sense A. 3b). Use in adverbial phrases and adverbs. The word is used from an early date in adverbial phrases in a number of senses; compare especially senses A. 12b, A. 12d, A. 13a, A. 21, and Phrases 2, Phrases 6. In Old English many such phrases show the word in the genitive singular; compare discussion at Phrases 3. A number of early adverbial phrases were subsequently lexicalized as adverbs (compare e.g. away adv.). This development underlies -way comb. form and -ways comb. form (compare discussion at those entries). With use with reference to time (as in Old English on wega gehwelcum (or gehwam) at sense A. 17a(a)) compare alway adv. and also always adv.
A. n.1
I. A track, a road, a path.
1.
a. A track prepared or available for travelling along; a road, a lane, a path; (sometimes) spec. the surface of such a track or road. In later use most commonly in across (also over) the way at Phrases 2a.In later use also (with capital initial) in the names of local roads; cf. sense A. 2a and the note at road n. 4a.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > [noun]
wayOE
route?c1225
line1426
itinerary?a1475
tract1555
road1598
wad1854
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun]
streetOE
wayOE
gatec1175
roda1231
roddin1502
fare1509
highpad1567
pad1567
road1581
chimin1613
ribbon1923
OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 18 Apr. (2013) 82 Þa wildan hors sceoldan yrnan on hearde wegas on westene, ond him þa lima eall tobrecan.
OE Byrhtferð Enchiridion (Ashm.) (1995) i. ii. 34 We sittað ymb þam wege wædligende mid Timeus sunu.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 2748 Heo þohten heom beon on-fest þer þe hulles weore mest. & senden heom arewen i þon weie narewe.
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 1304 (MED) Þe kniȝt him aslepe lay Al biside þe way.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1732 (MED) Abide ȝou in a brod weie bi a large mile.
1418 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 31 I be-quethe to the mendyng of the feble & foule weye beside Portmannes Crosse..xl s.
1435 in W. H. Stevenson Rec. Borough Nottingham (1883) II. 359 A comon waye with a lane yat lyges fro ye tawne of Notyngham.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xii The way is lyke to be fayre & dry, and the dayes longe.
1579 Ld. Burghley in N. H. Nicolas Mem. Sir C. Hatton (1847) 126 Approaching to the house, being led by a large, long, straight fair way, I found [etc.].
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xii A bridge..vnder the which is a waye to an old ruined Church.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. i. 10 I bequeathed my proceedings to God,..and my feete to the hard brusing way.
1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim ii. 5 The weather was cold, the wayes dirty and dangerous.
1671 T. Astry True Relation of Young Man 10 The Man said, be not afraid so they come up that Street, and crossed over to the other side of the way.
1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical x. 127 I cross'd the way to a Booksellers.
1789 C. Durnford & E. H. East Rep. Cases King's Bench (1790) III. 263 If the way be founderous and out of repair, the public have a right to go on the adjoining land.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. I. 191 He called out to a gentleman on the opposite side of the way.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 379 In winter, when the ways were bad and the nights long.
1871 ‘M. Legrand’ Cambr. Freshman 301 A heap of smaller stones, placed there at the expense of the parish, for the purpose of mending the way.
1887 J. Ashby-Sterry Cucumber Chron. 5 The village is..one long street. On either side of the way are picturesque little cottages.
1904 H. Belloc Old Road 96 A sunken way of great antiquity leads directly from St. Catherine's Hill down to the river.
1952 G. H. Dury Map Interpr. xiv. 161 The paved ways on the plateau served a Settlement and a Camp, with an associated Amphitheatre.
1969 V. C. Clinton-Baddeley Only Matter of Time 17 Alec Rowan's house was..in a road which..was called Philpot Way.
1986 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 31 Aug. x. 19/1 ‘Turn left up Maid Marian Way,’ said the gangly lad with the Midlands accent as he pointed to an improbably named three-lane highway choked with morning traffic, ‘and you'll see Robin Hood in front of the castle.’
2005 M. Hull & A. Bianco Rider of Pale Horse ii. 80 The way was bumpy, and I was trying not to bang the GIs around too much in the back of the truck.
b. As a mass noun: ground which has been surfaced for use as a road. In early use esp. when considered with reference to the quality or condition of the surface.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun] > with reference to condition or situation
waya1500
a1500 (?a1400) Stanzaic Life of Christ (Harl. 3909) (1926) l. 8913 (MED) Seuen heuenes ther bien, and seuen planetes eke also, and vche planete a heuen betwene as muche space as a mon wil go of playne way in fiue hundret ȝer.
1577 in F. Collins Wills & Admin. Knaresborough Court Rolls (1902) I. 126 To amend a pece of evill waie betwene my house and Hampistwhaite, xij d.
1669 R. Boyle Contin. New Exper. Physico-mechanicall: 1st Pt. xxiii. 83 From which town to the Sea there is 3 miles of way alwayes descending.
1675 J. Ogilby Britannia 41 The first 30 Miles very good Way, whence 'tis indifferent through Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire; Dunchurch Lane gives you 2 Miles of bad Way.
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 135 To Litchfield is 5 mile more all very good way mostly Gravel.
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour II. 401/1 Taking only 1200 miles of public way as gully-drained.
1896 Street Railway Jrnl. Oct. 599/1 A new company, which may be able to secure a franchise for a short stretch of way anywhere within the city limits.
1959 W. L. Grossman Fund. of Transportation 94 The traffic density of the stretch of way between the nearest entrance or exit.
2. spec.
a. A main road forming the direct or usual route between one town or city and another, distinguished from a local road or byway; a highway. Now rare except with reference to, or in names of, Roman roads (rendering the Latin via). †the king's way: a public road, regarded as being under royal protection; cf. the king's highway at highway n. 1a (obsolete).With use in the names of particular roads cf. note at road n. 4a. See also Fosse Way n. at fosse n.1 Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > road > [noun] > highway or public road
headwayOE
high streetOE
wayOE
port highwayOE
port-streetOE
port-wayOE
highway1257
high gate1324
thoroughfare1540
open road1656
rum pad1665
country road1669
toby lay1807
high toby spice1811
throughgang1856
OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 28 Aug. (2013) 168 Ond his swustor bebyrgde his lichoman on þæm wege þe æt Rome is nemned Salaria.
OE Antwerp-London Gloss. (2011) 85 Publica uia, ealles hereweg. Priuata, tuunweg.
lOE Bounds (Sawyer 695) in A. R. Rumble Property & Piety Early Medieval Winchester (2002) 197 On þone Lunden weg, andlang þes Lundænes weges innan cealchammæs.
a1170 ( Bounds (Sawyer 369) in M. Gelling Place-names Berks. (1976) III. 684 Andlang þæs weges oð hit cymð to Iccenhilde wege.
1313 in J. T. Fowler Chartularium Abbathiæ de Novo Monasterio (1878) 51 De Sticeleydike per Heddeley wai usque en le Spenstrete.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 169 (MED) Veire weies manion þer beþ in englonde, Ac voure mest of alle..Þoru þe olde kinges imad.
a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1906) ii. 541 ij. acris of arable lond..strecche them-self fro the north toward the sowthe beside the kyngis wey.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) ix. 227 There was a waye crossed in four, the one waye was towarde Fraunce.
a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 510 Þe grounde..in brede fro London weye strecchyng vnto a Corner of a Close of þe Trinite Gildes.
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome v. 227 Ane tempil was commandit to be maid in þe new way quhare þe voce was herde.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judges v. 6 In the tyme of Iael the wayes fayled.
1627 G. Hakewill Apologie iii. iv. 182 That the Romane mile came short of ours, appeares by the great stones set vp at every miles end in the Appian way.
1685 E. Stillingfleet Origines Britannicæ ii. 63 Whereever the Romans inhabited, they may be traced by their Ways, by their Buildings [etc.].
1707 L. Echard Hist. Eng. i. i. 33 These Ways had several Immunities and Privileges, where Strangers were protected from Arrests and other Troubles.
1766 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 58/2 Dunstable..is a populous town, built on the spot where two Roman ways, called Watling-street and Icknild-street, cross each other.
1805 W. Scott Lay of Last Minstrel i. xxvi. 26 Broad on the left before him lay, For many a mile, the Roman way.
1840 T. Arnold Hist. Rome II. xxxii. 288 Nor will the mightiest works of modern engineers ever rival the fame of the Appian Way.
1844 J. P. Lord Maine Townsman xl. 123 1. Ways to be kept in repair. 2. Ways between towns, repaired.
1886 Daily News 9 Dec. 5/2 When a pot of coins is found by some old Roman way.
1904 W. Coxe Hist. Tour Monmouthshire ii. 17 The only road bearing positive marks of Roman origin..passes by Stanton in Glocestershire, and was part of the old way from Monmouth to Glocester.
1919 R. M. Peterson Cults Campania I. iv. 217 The cult of Mithras is associated in tradition with the Grotta di Posilipo on the ancient way between Neapolis and Puteoli.
1952 G. H. Dury Map Interpr. xiii. 139 Moreton in Marsh and Stow on the Wold lie on the Fosse Way at nodes of cross-routes.
2001 R. Hill Dialogues of Dead (2002) iv. 38 I pass the derestriction sign at the edge of town and find myself on the old Roman Way.
b. A path, track, or trail through a wood or across country (now usually with defining word). In later use also (with capital initial) in the names of long, countryside trails, as Pennine Way.See also greenway n. (a) at green adj. and n.1 Compounds 1d(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > track, trail, or path > [noun] > through forest, wood, or fields
wayOE
chare12..
Indian path1634
rackway1685
drive1797
Indian trail1813
wood-road1821
OE Bounds (Sawyer 1347) in D. Hooke Worcs. Anglo-Saxon Charter-bounds (1990) 308 On þære dic on þa dene þæt andlong dene on þone grenan weg.
lOE St. Neot (Vesp.) in R. D.-N. Warner Early Eng. Homilies (1917) 132 Ælfred king..ferde þa lutigende geond heges & weges, geond wudes & feldes, swa þæt he þurh Godes wissunge gesund becom to Æðelingege.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1100 Loth was wansum, and ðugte long Vp to ðo dunes ðe weie hard and strong.
c1400 (?a1300) Kyng Alisaunder (Laud) (1952) l. 6061 Hij hadden..calktrappes made ynowe, Jn wayes and vnder wood-bowe.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope xxii. f. cxvij The snowe had couerd al the wayes [in the forest].
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 286/1 Way in a woode syde, sente.
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. Bivv In this Forrest now, this beaten way doth ly, Which leadeth vnto Harebraine hill.
1634 W. Wood New Englands Prospect ii. vii. 71 Conducting us through the strange labyrinth of unbeaten bushy wayes in the woody wildernesse.
1771 E. Gilchrist Use Sea Voy. in Med. (new ed.) vii. 187 In order to raise trees successfully, the soil, air, or extraordinary culture, are not so much to be considered as good shelter..: hence the reason and necessity of planting in clumps, thickets, and forest ways.
1797 Sporting Mag. Nov. 109/2 As we trace the woodland way, We'll rest us at the cot of Peace.
a1864 J. Clare Later Poems (1984) I. 431 Will you go the wild wood way At evenings dewy close And talk a pleasant hour away.
1884 Manhattan May 476 Lead through many a woodland way Greening o'er with leafy spray.
1913 J. Helston Aphrodite 104 Through low arches of a greenwood way.
1938 Manch. Guardian 9 Apr. 8/2 The Pennine Way will be unique in England, providing an unbroken mountain ramble.
1979 M. W. Beresford & J. K. S. St Joseph Medieval Eng. (ed. 2) iv. xi. 278/2 Whaddon can be reached along firm metalled roads following a course as direct as the former field-way.
1990 Country Walking Jan. 50/2 Turn right through the gate beside an Oxfordshire Way signpost.
c. Usually with distinguishing word or phrase: the tract or band of distant stars that crosses or encircles the night sky, likened to a road or path; the galaxy. Now historical and rare except in Milky Way n.See also Walsingham Way n. at Walsingham n.; several European names for the Milky Way likewise allude to pilgrimage routes, as Italian Via di santo Jacopo (Dante Convito ii. xv), Spanish Via de Santiago ‘St James's Way’. Cf. also Watling Street n. 2.Iring's way in quot. eOE, although rendering a classical Latin phrase used by Virgil to describe the zodiac ( Georgics 1. 238), is almost certainly intended to denote the Milky Way; the 10th-cent. Saxon chronicler Widukind of Corvey confirms contemporary use of the name of Iring in this connection in Old Saxon, explaining its origin in an episode from Germanic legend in which Iring cut a swathe through his foes ( Res gestae Saxonicae 1. 13).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > galaxy > [noun] > Milky Way
wayeOE
Watling Streetc1384
galaxya1398
milky circlea1398
Milky Wayc1450
milk way1555
milk-white way1555
white circle1563
milken waya1586
milken race1596
milk circle1601
Via Lactea1615
lacteous circle1646
Milky Way1854
Walsingham Wayc1878
eOE Épinal Gloss. (1974) 55 Uia secta, iringaes uueg [eOE Corpus Gloss. iringes uueg].
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 937 Se yonder loo, the Galoxie Whiche men clepeth the melky weye.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. i. f. 94v The tracte of heauen cauled Lactea via, that is, the mylke whyte waye.
1563 W. Fulke Goodle Gallerye Causes Meteors iii. f. 38 The mylke waye called of some the waye to saint Iames and Watlyng streate.
1594 T. Blundeville Exercises iii. i. xxi. f. 156 The milke-white impression in heauen like vnto a white way, called..of the common people our Ladies way.
a1765 C. Parkin Blomefield's Ess. Topogr. Hist. Norfolk (1775) V. 839 They believed..the Milky Way, was appointed by Providence to point out the particular place and residence of the virgin, beyond all other places, and was, on that account, generally in that age, called Walsingham-Way; and I have heard old people of this country, so to call and distinguish it some years past.
1833 R. Browning Pauline 30 To seek out some one To be my own; as one should wander o'er The white way for a star.
1844 M. A. Richardson Local Historian's Table Bk. Legendary Div. II. 86 The Via lactea, or ‘milky way,’ which the peasantry of the North frequently designate ‘the way’.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. 653 The waggoner's star: Walsingham way: the chariot of David: the annular cinctures of Saturn.
1982 G. Grigson Countryside 148/2 The English knew it [sc. the Milky Way] variously as Watling Street.., Walsingham Way or Our Lady's Way.., and the Way of St. James.
2002 J. Harpur Sacred Tracks 100 Once in Spain they combined to form one main route..which medieval travellers imagined to be reflected at night in the silvery stellar trail of the Milky Way (which they nicknamed the Way of St James, just as pilgrims to Walsingham called it the Walsingham Way).
d. Fortification. A passage or walkway within the defensive works of a castle, town, etc. Chiefly in covered-way at covered adj. 6, covert way n. at covert adj. 1b. See also way of the rounds at Phrases 4g. Now historical.In quot. 1481 denoting a similar walkway forming a sow (sow n.1 4a) used by forces besieging a city.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [noun] > covered ways
way1481
corridor1591
covert way1591
caponier1683
covered-way1685
1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) clxxiii. 257 They..dyde do make engyns,..castellys, chattes, and wayes couerd [Fr. voies covertes, L. scrophas], moche grete plente.
1591 W. Garrard & R. Hitchcock Arte of Warre 329 Hee must with all dilligence, vse all possible meanes to garde and keepe the Ditch, with the way which is made in the Counterscarpe, which commonly is called the couert way.
1612 W. Shute tr. T. de Fougasses Gen. Hist. Venice ii. 412 They of the towne began to rampier vp all places which they thought the enemy would batter: there was euer a strong gard on the way couered with the counter-scarpe, for the better defence thereof.
1672 R. Pricke tr. J. Dubreuil Perspective Pract. 114 The little line of elevation is divided into four Parts; The first from 1 unto 2 is the height of the Parapet of the way covered.
1801 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) I. 361 Turning them by the covert way.
2010 J.-D. G. G. Lepage French Fortifications iii. 147 The besiegers would not be able to bring artillery fire to bear upon it until they had crowned the covered way and established guns there.
e. Originally: a roadway laid with rails along which heavy loads are transported in wagons or trucks, esp. from a colliery; = railway n. 1. Subsequently: a railway line or track (cf. railway n. 2). Cf. permanent way n.Recorded earliest in wagon-way n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > track
way1700
track1806
rail track1824
railway track1824
line1825
main track1830
railroad track1830
single track1832
railway line1836
electric line1850
1700 3rd Abstr. State of Mines Bwlchyr Eskir-hir 4 Sir H. Mackworth is now making an Artificial Waggon-way on Wooden-Rails..for the convenient and cheap Carriage of all Commodities.
1739 Polit. State Great-Brit. Apr. 299 The Owners of the Mines [which] are now using the Western Way, were obliged either to be at the Expence of laying a Way of about seven Miles for themselves, or give up the Profits of working their Mines to Monopolizers.
1766 Hist. Inland Navigations 51 The coals are brought from the pits to this passage or canal, in little low wagons that..are easily pushed by a man, on a railed way, to a stage over the canal.
1846 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 9 76/1 If two rails, forming a narrow gauge way, are placed between the two rails which form a broad gauge way, carriages of the different gauges may run in the same train.
1896 Sci. Amer. 5 Sept. 204/1 They were authorized..to lay out a new way from a point near the southeast corner of the Common to Franklin Park.
1985 P. Gaston Navigator (song, perf. ‘The Pogues’) Their mark on this land is still seen and still laid A way for a commerce where vast fortunes were made.
3.
a. figurative. A metaphorical path taken by a person through life or in pursuit of a particular goal, desire, etc. Also with of. Frequently (esp. in early use) in Christian contexts, with reference to a person's spiritual journey through life.parting of the ways: see parting n. 7a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > (a) course of conduct or action
wayeOE
pathOE
waya1225
tracea1300
line13..
dancea1352
tenor1398
featc1420
faction1447
rink?a1500
footpath1535
trade1536
vein1549
tract1575
course1582
road1600
country dance1613
track1638
steeragea1641
rhumb1666
tack1675
conduct1706
walk1755
wheel-way1829
eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) xxv. 11 Pes enim meus stetit in uia recta : fot soðlice min stod in wege ðæm rehtan.
OE King Ælfred tr. Psalms (Paris) (2001) xxxiv. 7 Syn heora wegas þystre and slidore, and Godes engel heora ehte.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 21 Ðenchen an us ðe bieð hier on ðese arme liue, ðar ðe wei is slider and we lihtliche to fællen.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Cor. xii. 31 I schewe to ȝou a more excellent, or worthi, weye.
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) I. lf. 106 Thou haste passid the strayte waye and passage of Infortune fro whens thou art yssued cler as the sonne.
?1543 M. Coverdale Christen Exhortacion f. 28v To walke in the waye of godly loue and charite, that with our meate we neuer destroye hym, for whom thy sonne Iesus Christ dyed aswell as for vs.
1597 J. Melville Fruitful & Comfortable Exhortatioun anent Death 25 Meanes he to treade the way of vertue? it is rough stay, painefull and sweatie.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 272 But in the beaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsonoure? View more context for this quotation
1671 S. Slater Treat. Growth in Grace ix. 140 It's not enough to begin to know, to set foot upon the way of knowledge.
1738 J. Wesley Hymns ‘Join all the glorious Names’ v O let my Feet ne'er..rove, nor seek the crooked Way.
1884 Sc. Rev. Apr. 390 After a few years of very intimate and confidential friendship, their ways parted.
1958 C. Achebe Things fall Apart xxii. 164 Our Lord Himself stressed the importance of fewness. Narrow is the way and few the number.
1980 S. Noffke tr. Catherine of Siena Dialogue 109 Then you are roused with eager longing, thirsty to follow the way of Truth that leads to the fountain of living water.
2004 N.Y. Times Mag. 21 Nov. 56/2 We eventually parted ways, but not because of my parents.
b. Also with capital initial. As an appellation of Jesus: the means of attaining salvation.With allusion to John 14:6 (see quots. OE1, 1611).
ΚΠ
OE West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xiv. 6 Ic eom weg & soðfæstnys & lif [L. ego sum via, veritas, et vita].
OE Ælfric Homily: De Duodecim Abusivis (Corpus Cambr. 178) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 304 Crist sylf is se weg[lOE Vesp. D.xiv se weig, a1225 Lamb. 487 þe weie] swa swa he sæde be hym.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 163 (MED) Ihesu Crist crucified..was verri wey, reule, & doctrin afore þe iȝe of her intellect.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 61 He is the way, trothe, lyfe, and lycht, The varray port, till heaven full rycht.
1611 Bible (King James) John xiv. 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life [Gk. ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ὁδὸς καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια καὶ ἡ ζωή] . View more context for this quotation
1700 Z. Stanton Love of God 104 As Christ is the Way, so if I should say that Faith and Obedience is a way to come to enjoy it, I might say it was advancing Nature above Grace, or setting up our own Righteousness in the room of Christ's Righteousness.
1815 Rom. Missal 574 Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth and the life.
1870 W. E. Heygate Fugitive iii. 130 Eat Christ, and drink, if thou to Christ wouldst come! Christ is thy Way, if thou wouldst Christ attain!
1999 W. Wangerin Preparing for Jesus iii. 66 John prepares the way, but Jesus is the Way.
†c. A source of spiritual guidance or direction. Obsolete.In quot. with reference to the Virgin Mary (cf. way of indulgence at Phrases 4c).
ΚΠ
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) iii. 307 Lyghte to the blynde, way to the croked.
4.
a. A means of passing from one place or point to another, esp. of entry or exit from somewhere, such as a door, a gate, an opening made through a crowd, etc. Now frequently in way in, way out. Cf. archway n., doorway n., gateway n.1With examples with a verb referring to the creation of a passage of this kind (e.g. quots. c1450, 1802, 1914) cf. sense A. 9c(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > opening which may be passed through
wayOE
OE Exodus 283 Wegas syndon dryge, haswe herestræta, holm gerymed.
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iv. xv. 281 In þam portice, þurh þone ligeþ se weg to þæs eadigan Clementes cyrican ælcum þæra manna, þe þa cyrcan secan wile.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3244 On twel[ue] doles delt ist ðe se, xii. weiges ðer-in ben faiger and fre.
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 36 (MED) Men seyn þat the wlcanes ben weyes of helle.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 1324 (MED) Quare althire-thickest was þe thrange þurȝe þaim he rynnes, And makis a wai wyde enoȝe waynes to mete.
1578 J. Polemon All Famous Battels 19 With theyr weapons they made a way through the mids of the enimies for the Marques to escape.
1609 W. Biddulph Trauels Certaine Englishmen 141 From thence they brought vs into another roome of like sort, and for like vse; & so from one to another, that (without a guide) it was impossible to find the way out.
1718 C. Molloy Coquet iii. 53 Why, Sir, I had no Business at all, only to, to, to—that is, I thought it had been the Way out.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. To force a passage, to oblige your enemy to retire..and thus open a way into the country which he had occupied.
1898 G. B. Shaw You never can Tell in Plays Pleasant & Unpleasant ii. (stage direct.) Near the parapet there lurks a way to the kitchen, masked by a little trellis porch.
1914 S. Low in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 261 To a Prussian statesman it seems more natural to ‘hack a way’ through the territory of an unoffending neighbour than it would be to public men elsewhere.
1953 G. E. M. Anscombe tr. L. Wittgenstein Philos. Investig. §309 What is your aim in philosophy?—To shew the fly the way out of the fly-bottle.
1997 T. Mackintosh-Smith Yemen (1999) i. 14 The soldier on the door of the Director's antechamber cleared a way through the crowd.
2012 Church Times 21 Sept. 36/3 Have A-boards on the pavement outside that indicate the way in.
b. figurative.
(a) With out or out of: a solution to, or means of escape from, a problem or difficulty.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > [noun] > solution, explanation
soilingc1380
solutionc1384
invention1484
resolutiona1500
dissolution1549
way1574
resolvea1630
solving1706
solve1780
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [noun] > means of escape
posternc1475
outgatec1485
resorta1500
meuse1528
gap1548
evasiona1555
outscapea1555
way1574
outlet1625
subterfuge1761
bolting-hole1789
flighta1822
getaway1876
out1919
bolt-hole1932
1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job (new ed.) xxxi. 156/2 It might seeme we should neuer be plucked out of our miseries: yet shal God well finde some good way out of them.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 769 God be thanked he wanted not his friends, by whose help he would find a way out of these miseries.
1641 J. Trapp Theologia Theol. 357 The word..signifieth thoughts so perplexed and inter-twined one within another, that there is no way out almost.
1843 F. Trollope Barnabys in Amer. III. xiv. 209 I dare say I shall find a way out of the scrape just as easily as you found your way into it.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 430 Let us..ask ourselves..whether we have discovered a way out of the difficulty.
1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xxiv. 291 I could see no way out of the pickle I was in.
1958 Argosy Sept. 95 Now that he had the damned cheque in his pocket, there was no way out.
1978 R. Woods Another Kind of Love 53 A way out of the sexual rat-race for straight men who cannot or will not conform to the expectations of the macho male stereotype.
2005 J. Trunk Dirty Fan Male 3 So there I was, with a job, a tiny salary,..hating it all and still seeing no way out.
(b) With in or into: a point of entry to a state, process, etc., which is necessary or desirable.
ΚΠ
1655 F. Teate Scripture-map Wildernesse of Sin ii. i. 62 They are, saith he, whether Jew or Gentile ([Rom. iii.] ver. 9.) gone out of the way (ver. 12, and know no more the way in to peace (ver. 17).
1688 J. Bunyan Solomon's Temple liii. 148 Christ is the way into, but sin, the way out of the Temple of God.
1875 Sunday School World 7 Oct. 341/2 A gentleman heard her begging to come in, and he told them to let her pass. He was the way in to her.
1892 C. Taylor Witness of Hermas 126 The gate is the Son of God. This is the one way-in [εἴσοδος] to the Lord.
1986 S. Orbach Hunger Strike viii. 136 The topics themselves are a way in to talking about some of her most painful concerns.
2008 Independent 26 Sept. (Arts & Bks. Review section) 17/2 People looking for a way in to what can sometimes seem an arcane world.
c. With out (or less commonly in), in reference to, or designating, a sign used to mark the exit from (or entrance to) a public building. Frequently in Way Out sign.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > means of exit > sign indicating way out
Way Out sign1969
1864 Littell's Living Age 9 Jan. 76/1 We found that it was the words Way out, which, stuck on the transparent glass door, had been read by Steven coming from an opposite side.
1871 Amer. Educ. Monthly Mar. 119 We discovered that it was the words Way out painted on the glass door, but read by Steven from the wrong side.
1893 N.Y. Times 22 May 8/2 All the printed forms used in the hospital, from a clinical chart to a ‘This Way Out’ sign.
1969 N.Y. Times 22 June (Arts section) 30/3 You are lucky, in more than one sense, to find the way out sign.
1982 Guardian 9 Oct. (Weekend Suppl.) 11/8 The Way In sign is now translated helpfully into Bengali.
1982 J. O'Faolain Obedient Wife iii. 59 Just follow the Way Out signs.
2005 M. Silva Would you like Fries with That? 22 Another American road sign says, ‘Exit.’ In Britain it says, ‘Way Out.’
5. In a person, animal, or plant: a hollow organ or space through which something (air, fluid, food, etc.) passes. Frequently with distinguishing word or phrase, typically designating the substance being conveyed. Now rare except in airway (see airway n. 1b). first ways: the digestive tract.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > vascular system > [noun] > vessel
waya1382
vessel1398
vas1578
watercourse1615
aqueduct1712
path1904
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. vii. 22 All men and all þingeȝ in þe which is [a] way of breþ of lyf [L. et cuncta in quibus spiraculum vitae est] in þe erþ ben deed.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. iii. xv. 105 Þerby þe herte and woosen and smale weyes [L. cor et arterie] beþ opened.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. i. 884 Some [trees] haueþ weyes and veynes in þe whiche kynde moysture is ykepte and passeþ þerby for [read fro] þe erþe into alle þe partyes aboute.
c1425 tr. J. Arderne Treat. Fistula (Sloane 277) (1910) 21 Þat may be knowen by..feblyneȝ of þe pacient, and if it haue perced þe waieȝ of þe vryne.
a1475 tr. Gilbertus Anglicus Pharmaceutical Writings (Wellcome) (1991) 4 (MED) Oximel..openeþ þe weies þat ben stoppid of þe lyver, and also of þe spleen.
?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens ii. sig. Iiv The bladder..receyueth the superfluyte vrynall by two longe wayes that descende fro the kydnees.
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 281 Wee must therefore enquire further for the cause of this sterility or barrennesse and not impute it to the interception of the wayes.
1657 N. Culpeper & W. Rowland tr. J. Johnstone Idea Pract. Physick x. 76/2 Another is from the fæculency of the blood, the waies not beng [sic] open enough, and then it happens with pain, in the cure opening a vein in the arm takes place.
1715 G. Sewell & J. T. Desaguliers tr. A. Pitcairne Wks. 201 The Encrease of which Secretion is made by Medicines properly purgative, or acting upon the Animal beyond the first Ways.
1719 J. Freind Let. to Learned Dr. Woodward 17 This continues open, and gives a successive Passage out of the Stomach into the Ways of the Blood and Brain.
1842 C. Bruchhausen tr. C. W. Hufeland Enchiridion Medicum 391 The cleansing of the first ways has been neglected.
1877 tr. H. W. von Ziemssen et al. Cycl. Pract. Med. XII. 518 Hardly any other supposition is possible than that of a local distribution through the lymphatic ways.
1909 Washington Med. Ann. 8 202 The gall bladder had a most peculiar..attachment to the liver which we had not previously observed in operations upon the bile ways.
1944 G. H. Copley Wild Flowers & Weeds v. 34 First the bottom cells in the sap-ways [of a tree] become so full that they can hold no more sap.
6. In plural.
a. Nautical. Baulks laid down for rolling or sliding heavy objects along, esp. for launching a ship into the water; any sloping structure down which a new ship is launched. Also occasionally in singular: each of these baulks individually.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > wooden balks for rolling weights along
ways1581
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > [noun] > slip on which ships built or repaired > framework on which vessel rests > timbers supporting ship when launching
ways1581
bilge-ways1769
dogshore1780
driver1781
slice1791
puppet1792
stopping up1805
dog1831
dagger1838
bulge-ways1850
poppet1850
trigger1867
1581 in Mariner's Mirror (1941) 27 77 Estymate for the Dockinge, and inclosinge of Sr ffrauncis Draikes shipp... Item the chardge in layinge of wayes, wyndinges, Screwinge, Blockinge, Shoreinge with Ironework.
1639 in E. B. Sainsbury Cal. Court Minutes E. India Co. (1907) 332 [The use of one of the..docks with its] shores and waies [to fit and prepare the Cæsar].
a1647 P. Pette in Archaeologia (1796) 12 258 The smaller [ship]..was so ill struck upon the launching ways, that she could by no means be put off, which did somewhat discontent his majesty.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. iii. 325 A dry dock was dug to receive the bark, and ways were laid from thence quite into the sea, to facilitate the bringing her up.
1864 S. P. Fox Kingsbridge xiii. 163 When once the boat is close on the shore, the dogs are on the look out for the pieces of wood, technically called ways, which are placed underneath the boats to draw them up on the beach. It is very rarely that a single way is lost.
1870 I. Brunel Life Isambard Kingdom Brunel xii. 345 180 feet of the bow projected beyond the forward way, 110 feet were unsupported between the two ways, and 150 feet of the stern projected beyond the after way. The distance from the starboard side, the side next to the river, down to low-water mark, was about 240 feet; and the actual length of the ways, including the portion under the ship, was about 330 feet.
1883 Scotsman 11 July 5/2 The ways were new, and made of oak and pine, with guide-battens on the inner edges of the slideways.
1956 J. W. Oliver Hist. Amer. Technol. i. 52 Two men, at the direction of the shipwright, knocked down the dogshores and the ship slid down the ways by force of her own weight.
2001 Amer. Scientist 89 117/2 The actor John Wayne, who was on the launching platform that day..walked over to the ship's bow and leaned into it, causing the ship to move down the ways and into the water.
b. Mechanics. Parallel sills forming a track along which a planing machine, lathe, etc., moves.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine tool > [noun] > guides
guide1680
guideline1785
guider1825
ways1835
saddle1866
interpolator1953
1835 Mechanics' Mag. 5 Sept. 445/2 The lower edge of this frame rests upon ways.
1869 W. J. M. Rankine Cycl. Machine & Hand-tools Pl.I 5 Improved Planing Machine... These uprights are so arranged as to slide in ways..provided for the purpose in the sides of the stationary platform.
1914 A. A. Dowd Machining Tapered & Spherical Surfaces (‘Machinery’ Ref. Bk. No. 121) ii. 31 This bracket taking the place of the regular tailstock, and being gibbed to the ways in such a manner that it is free to slide longitudinally.
1984 E. P. DeGarmo et al. Materials & Processes in Manuf. (ed. 6) xix. 537 The toolslide is carried on the swivel mounting in dovetail ways.
2003 RCM & E (Radio Control Models & Electronics) Dec. 90/3 I've actually brushed down my lathe,..oiled all the ways and sorted out the tooling.
†c. Parallel planks or rails, typically of wood, forming an inclined plane for heavy loads to slide down. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > other means of conveyance > [noun] > plank, roller, or rail on which something is slid
roller1434
slider1582
skid1782
jack roller1843
ways1855
1855 Naut. Mag. & Naval Chron. July 367 It [sc. ore] could be slid down along wooden ways, placed on the sloping face of the rock, to a convenient spot near the boat.
1868 B. J. Lossing Hudson (new ed.) 264 The ice, cut in blocks from the lake above..is sent down upon wooden ‘ways’, that wind through the forest.
1903 C. H. Wetmore Out of Fleur-de-lis ii. iii. 105 Logs, cut into lengths that can be easily handled, are carried down ways on endless chains to machines burdened with great teeth which tear off the bark.
II. A course of travel or movement, a route, and related senses.
7.
a. A course of travel or route along which a person or thing may pass, esp. one taken in order to reach a particular destination. Frequently with prepositional phrase or adverb specifying the destination.Frequently as the object of particular verbs, as ask, clear, lead (see lead v.1 2e), lose (see lose v.1 5e), show (see show v. Phrases 2), etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [noun] > course or direction of movement > along which a thing may pass
wayOE
OE tr. Alexander's Let. to Aristotle (1995) §10. 230 Ic me ða mid genom cc ladþeowa & eac l þe ða genran wegas cuðan þara siðfato.
OE West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) ii. 12 Hi on oðerne weg [L. per aliam viam] on hyra rice ferdon.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13434 Heom ladden twelue of þan leod-folke. þa..þa weiȝes [c1300 Otho weyes] cuðen.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 772 He couþe þe rithe wei To lincolne.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. vi. l. 24 Const þou wissen vs þe wey wher þat he dwelleþ?
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 25 He ledde the oste northwarde the pryveyst wey that coude be thought, unto the foreste of Bedgrayne.
a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) l. 5923 With hym ther went Sygrem to be his gide, Costyng the contre many dyuers way, And so came he in to perse the redy waye.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Jer. l. 5 They shal aske the waye to Zion, with their faces thetherward.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. vi An vniversall flood, which by croked wayes finally issueth into the Sea.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. iii. 127 The waies at Sea are not as at Land, to returne the same way they passe.
1653 Mercurius Democritus No. 72. 573 He could not find the way home.
1682 G. Wheler Journey into Greece vi. 475 I return'd by the same way.
1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 293 There the way was stopp'd by mountains.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 28 Is the Cowgate-Port a nearer way to Liberton..than Bristo-Port?
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xlviii. 521 Only some drunken ne'er-do-weel finding his way home.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 371 If he asked his way to St. James's, his informants sent him to Mile End.
1937 R. Byron Road to Oxiana v. 239 Do you know the way to Radkan?
1972 A. J. P. Taylor Let. 10 Jan. in Lett. to Eva (1991) 55 We ought to have got off the bus at St Gilgen... This is a terrible weakness of mine: I will never ask the way or for guidance.
2005 N. Laird Utterly Monkey 76 Well why don't I come back with you to Danny's? We can get a few tinnies on the way home.
b. In figurative contexts which consciously retain the idea of travelling, frequently (esp. in early use) with regard to a person's spiritual journey through life (cf. sense A. 3a). †to nim the way of death: to die (obsolete). See also primrose way n. at primrose n. and adj. Compounds 2.For figurative uses where the sense of travelling is absent or greatly weakened, see sense A. 18a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)]
forsweltc888
sweltc888
adeadeOE
deadc950
wendeOE
i-wite971
starveOE
witea1000
forfereOE
forthfareOE
forworthc1000
to go (also depart , pass, i-wite, chare) out of this worldOE
queleOE
fallOE
to take (also nim, underfo) (the) deathOE
to shed (one's own) blood?a1100
diec1135
endc1175
farec1175
to give up the ghostc1175
letc1200
aswelta1250
leavea1250
to-sweltc1275
to-worthc1275
to yield (up) the ghost (soul, breath, life, spirit)c1290
finea1300
spilla1300
part?1316
to leese one's life-daysa1325
to nim the way of deathc1325
to tine, leave, lose the sweatc1330
flit1340
trance1340
determinec1374
disperisha1382
to go the way of all the eartha1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
miscarryc1387
shut1390
goa1393
to die upa1400
expirea1400
fleea1400
to pass awaya1400
to seek out of lifea1400–50
to sye hethena1400
tinea1400
trespass14..
espirec1430
to end one's days?a1439
decease1439
to go away?a1450
ungoc1450
unlivec1450
to change one's lifea1470
vade1495
depart1501
to pay one's debt to (also the debt of) naturea1513
to decease this world1515
to go over?1520
jet1530
vade1530
to go westa1532
to pick over the perch1532
galpa1535
to die the death1535
to depart to God1548
to go home1561
mort1568
inlaikc1575
shuffle1576
finish1578
to hop (also tip, pitch over, drop off, etc.) the perch1587
relent1587
unbreathe1589
transpass1592
to lose one's breath1596
to make a die (of it)1611
to go offa1616
fail1623
to go out1635
to peak over the percha1641
exita1652
drop1654
to knock offa1657
to kick upa1658
to pay nature her due1657
ghost1666
to march off1693
to die off1697
pike1697
to drop off1699
tip (over) the perch1699
to pass (also go, be called, etc.) to one's reward1703
sink1718
vent1718
to launch into eternity1719
to join the majority1721
demise1727
to pack off1735
to slip one's cable1751
turf1763
to move off1764
to pop off the hooks1764
to hop off1797
to pass on1805
to go to glory1814
sough1816
to hand in one's accounts1817
to slip one's breatha1819
croak1819
to slip one's wind1819
stiffen1820
weed1824
buy1825
to drop short1826
to fall (a) prey (also victim, sacrifice) to1839
to get one's (also the) call1839
to drop (etc.) off the hooks1840
to unreeve one's lifeline1840
to step out1844
to cash, pass or send in one's checks1845
to hand in one's checks1845
to go off the handle1848
to go under1848
succumb1849
to turn one's toes up1851
to peg out1852
walk1858
snuff1864
to go or be up the flume1865
to pass outc1867
to cash in one's chips1870
to go (also pass over) to the majority1883
to cash in1884
to cop it1884
snuff1885
to belly up1886
perch1886
to kick the bucket1889
off1890
to knock over1892
to pass over1897
to stop one1901
to pass in1904
to hand in one's marble1911
the silver cord is loosed1911
pip1913
to cross over1915
conk1917
to check out1921
to kick off1921
to pack up1925
to step off1926
to take the ferry1928
peg1931
to meet one's Maker1933
to kiss off1935
to crease it1959
zonk1968
cark1977
to cark it1979
to take a dirt nap1981
OE tr. Theodulf of Orleans Capitula (Corpus Cambr.) i. 307 Þæt ge..eallum folce ge bysne astellen wel to lybbene, ond þæm þe ge fore syndan getæcan þone rihtan weg to heofona rice.
c1175 ( Homily (Bodl. 343) in S. Irvine Old Eng. Homilies (1993) 168 We sceolen ȝemunæn þæt Crist sæde þæt þe wæȝ is swiðe heah & swiðe stæȝre [read stæȝer] þe lædeþ us to heofenæ.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) 810 Me unwreh me þe wei þet leadeð to liue.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 5320 (MED) Þe king aldred sone þo þen wey of deþe nom.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 29222 (MED) For-þi to weind þe seker wai I rede we be in penance ai.
a1425 (?c1400) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 106 By þese wytty wordes of oure Lord Jesus Crist, mowe malicious men..knowe þat þey beþ in þe weye to helleward.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Ciiiv In this, we may knowe, what way to take, & what way to leue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. iii. 18 That goe the Primrose way to th'euerlasting Bonfire. View more context for this quotation
1646 T. Gataker Mistake Removed 38 There is no new way to Heaven now, but the same that ever was.
a1729 J. Rogers 19 Serm. (1735) v. 97 Every Path before us appears beset with Snares and Dangers, Ways in which we must walk with Fear and Trembling.
a1832 J. Mackintosh Hist. Revol. Eng. (1834) i. 11 Having found a way to court through some of those who ministered to the pleasures of the King,..he made his value known by [etc.].
1864 J. H. Newman Apologia (1913) iv. §2. 296 There are but two alternatives, the way to Rome, and the way to Atheism.
1907 H. Halid Crescent versus Cross iii. 37 They find consolation in the words uttered by the priest at the grave-side, though it is doubtful whether these will be of use to the dead in finding the right way to Heaven.
1989 R. Kenan Visitation of Spirits (1996) 80 When you lets your guard down—oh, just a little bit—he's waiting right there, O yes, to come in and set you on the way to hell.
c. to be going (also coming, riding, travelling, etc.) a person's way: to be heading in the same direction as; to travel along with.
ΚΠ
1696 tr. G. de Courtilz de Sandras Mem. Count de Rochefort 348 I should never have reacht the next Stage, if I had not with the help of Whip and Spur overtook a Horse Litter going my way.
1765 Monthly Rev. Feb. 120 If you are going my way you must make confounded haste I can tell you.
1804 C. H. Wilson Polyanthea I. 175 The eccentricities of Paul were remarkable: he was always going your way.
1819 H. Brougham Forman III. i. 7 Come, you were riding my way.
1856 G. W. Curtis Prue & I 86 Mr. Bourne..hospitably asked if I were going his way. His way was towards the southern end of the island.
1865 Mrs. C. J. Newby Common Sense III. li. 15 Are you coming my way, father?
1907 Scribner's Mag. Feb. 219/1 And where was Miss Ladd going, travelling your way all day?
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 80/3 It seems foolish to believe that Tommy will not have to learn to keep to the right, to march in step with many people who are going his way.
1997 B. MacLaverty Grace Notes (1998) 187 ‘I've the car in the car park over there and I'd be going your way.’ ‘No—I'm fine. Thanks all the same.’
8.
a. The course or path described by the actual motion of a person, animal, or object; the route or line along which something moves. Usually with possessive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > [noun] > course or direction of movement
runeeOE
runningOE
pathOE
wayOE
tracea1300
coursec1380
coursec1380
racec1390
recourse?c1425
situation1517
journey?a1560
track1565
roadway1600
career?1614
direction1665
by-run1674
sensea1679
meith1726
heading1841
OE Paris Psalter (1932) lxxvi. 16 Wærun wegas þine on widne sæ and þine stige ofer strang wæter; ne bið þær eþe þin spor on to findanne.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 38 (MED) We liuieð bi þe lufte al þet measte deal..ant ure weies beoð abufen wið þe windes.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. xxx. 19 The weie [L. viam] of an egle in heuene, the weie [L. viam] of the shadewe eddere on a ston, the weie [L. viam] of a ship in the myd se.
c1440 (a1349) R. Rolle in Eng. Writings (1931) 56 (MED) Some [bees] are þat kan noghte flyghe fra þis lande, bot in þe waye late theyre herte ryste.
?1530 tr. Compost of Ptholomeus xxi. sig. i.i The thirde [part of the Earth] that is in the mydle is to nere vnder the way of the sonne, and is nat inhabytable for the great hete.
1583 J. Prime Fruitefull & Briefe Disc. ii. 58 Canst thou folow & track the way of the fish in the waters, of the foule in the air?
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 6 At what Angle the Way of the Comet cuts the Æquator.
1683 R. Hooke in T. Birch Hist. Royal Soc. (1757) IV. 231 I shewed an instrument..by which the way of a ship through the sea might be exactly measured.
1715 J. T. Desaguliers tr. N. Gauger Fires Improv'd 146 The winding Lines..shew the way of the Air in different Constructions of Chimneys.
1735 W. Somervile Chace iv. 431 See there he dives along! Th' ascending Bubbles mark his gloomy Way.
1822 W. C. Bryant in Specimens Amer. Poets 204 Far, like the comet's way through infinite space, Stretches the long untravell'd path of light.
1868 J. N. Lockyer Elem. Lessons Astron. (1879) vii. 261 The direction of the Earth's motion in its orbit, called the Earth's Way.
1905 Methodist Mag. July 76/1 Before he reached Broadway one could trace his way by a line of bright flowers and smiling children.
1988 U. Brockmann et al. in W. Salomons et al. Pollution of North Sea ii. 357 Measurements tracking the way of radioactive waste from the Irish Sea (Sellafield or Windscale) around Scotland.
†b. The wake of a ship or boat. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > types of waves > [noun] > other
way1578
wake1753
clean, clear breach1867
feather-spray1867
south-western1872
bow-wave1877
gravity wave1877
blind roller1888
gravitational wave1899
Kelvin wave1922
rooster tail1934
slide1935
bow shock1938
beacher1956
1578 W. Bourne Treasure for Traueilers iii. ix. f. 20v The quicke water of the way of the Shippe doth come vnto the Ruther being put eyther the one way or the other way, that must needes, cause the Ship to cast or turne accordingly.
1589 J. Sparke in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations iii. 535 [The alligator] plunged into the water, making a streame like the way of a boate.
1685 N. Boteler Six Dialogues Sea-services 300 In speaking of the Wake of a Ship..You said that it was also called the Way.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Way of a Ship, the smooth Water that she makes a-stern when under Sail.
1832 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. 19 Aug. (1835) I. 25 The stream of fire that shone round the ship's way, made heaven and sea appear like one vast world of flame.
c. Engraving. Each of the paths followed by the rocker (rocker n.1 10d) in roughening a copper or steel plate to lay the ground for a mezzotint. Usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > printmaking > engraving > intaglio printing > [noun] > mezzotint > scraping plate to produce ground > grooves cut by
way1839
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 169/1 The directions, or ways, as they are technically called, given to the grounding-tool, are determined by a regulated plan, and for this purpose an ingenious sort of scale is used.
1874 W. H. Willshire Introd. Study & Coll. Anc. Prints iii. 96 This operation..consists in rocking the cradle to and fro in certain directions or ‘ways’, determined by a plan or scale that enables the engraver to pass over the plate in very many directions without any one of them being repeated.
1903 Catal. Loan Exhib. Brit. Engraving & Etching 137 The ‘ways’ on a plate are laid out in a series of progressive angles so that no two ways come exactly in the same direction.
2009 A. Dyson Printmakers' Secrets 51 I rock four ‘ways’ (or directions) for each of thirteen angles (from 90° to 50°) drawn in pencil from the centre bottom edge.
9.
a. Travel or motion along a particular route or towards a particular destination; the route or course along which someone or something chooses to travel or would travel if unobstructed. Usually with possessive pronoun.to take in (also on) one's way: see take v. Phrases 1f.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > [noun]
lodeOE
wayOE
gatea1300
tracea1300
raik?c1350
coursec1380
coursec1380
racec1390
line1426
fairwayc1440
tradec1480
voye1541
tract1555
track1565
career?1614
OE Ælfric Homily (Cambr. Ii.4.6) in J. C. Pope Homilies of Ælfric (1967) I. 363 Ic ne mihte na faran forð on þin ærende, for ðan þe se munuc, mid his micclum gebedum, forwyrnde me þæs weges [c1175 Bodl. 343 wæȝes].
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) i. iii. 24 Þa þa he his fota oðerne ofdune asette, he þa færinga geseah, þæt seo astrehte nædre his weg [L. uiam] beleac.
c1390 in F. J. Furnivall Minor Poems Vernon MS (1901) ii. 496 Ȝif þou haue eny wey to wende, I rede þou here a masse..In þe Morennynge.
c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne l. 220 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale Middle Eng. Metrical Romances (1930) 867 (MED) The grypte eyþur a staffe in here honde and on here wey strawȝte.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 262 They were well onward on their way toward Gascoyn.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 230 The ioints thereof [sc. of the boats] were so shaken and open with the waie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iii. 91 Belike his wife acquainted with his fits, On purpose shut the doores against his way . View more context for this quotation
1617 J. Taylor Three Weekes Obseruations B 1 We past the way away by telling tales by turnes.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 288 Our way we bend To Pallas.
1714 in Jrnl. Friends Hist. Soc. (1918) 29 Having seen the comfort of our labours I found my way opened for a Return [sc. home].
1741 Countess of Pomfret in Countess of Hartford & Countess of Pomfret Corr. (1805) III. 166 Here we left the shore, but continued our way on very good roads, till [etc.].
1779 A. M. Storer in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1844) IV. 242 I shall look in upon you at Matson in my way.
1827 W. Scott Highland Widow in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. I. viii. 149 There was some originality in the man's habits of thinking and expressing himself..which made his conversation amuse the way well enough.
1832 New Sporting Mag. Apr. 415/1 One great beast I galloped clean over, which served him right for getting in my way.
1852 F. W. Faber Jesus & Mary (ed. 2) 133 As He came along His way.
1919 Outing Mar. 318/3 I cannot recall a time since the chilly autumnal weather began that I have enjoyed the charms of early morning in my way.
1937 W. Lewis Revenge for Love v. ii. 238 His way was barred by Jack,..head high and legs a little straddled.
2006 Review (Rio Tinto Group) June 26/1 A few kilometres and my way was blocked by an approaching four wheel drive.
b. Used with a possessive pronoun as the object of the verb go (see go v. 20b) and its synonyms (as †fare, wend, etc.) with adverbial force expressing movement away or departure, often with the meaning approaching ‘away’. In some examples, chiefly in earlier use, with a wider range of verbs of motion, as flee, come, pass, ride, run. Now chiefly in imperative use, as go your way, come thy ways, etc.Later examples with wend, typically modified by an adverbial phrase, are taken to imply unhurried movement and treated at sense A. 9c(a).
(a) In singular, as to go one's way, †to flee one's way, etc. Cf. Phrases 2g(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)]
to come awayeOE
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
awayOE
dealc1000
goOE
awendOE
rimeOE
to go one's wayOE
flitc1175
depart?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
to turn awaya1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
recede1450
roomc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
avaunt1549
trudge1562
vade?1570
discoast1571
leave1593
wag1594
to go off1600
troop1600
hence1614
to set on one's foota1616
to pull up one's stumps1647
quit1811
to clear out1816
slope1830
to walk one's chalks1835
shove1844
to roll out1850
to pull out1855
to light out1859
to take a run-out powder1909
to push off (also along)1923
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Hatton) (1900) ii. xiii. 129 Wit magon unc gereordian & hwæthwega gerestan, þæt wit magon syððan þe eað unkerne weg gesunde faran [OE Corpus Cambr. gefaran].
c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) 308 (MED) Þe hauec folȝeþ gode rede & fliȝt his wei & lat hem grede.
?a1300 Iacob & Iosep (Bodl.) (1916) l. 350 (MED) Nimeþ ȝoure wepnen & wendeþ ȝoure wai.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1429 Eliezer is went his wei.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 1562 ‘Ryd thanne forth thi wey,’ quod sche.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 133 Furþe on his fete withouten fole he passis his way.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 14 (MED) Yef ye fare rudely and be cruell with hym [sc. the hawk], he will fle his way and neuer come atte you.
1488 W. Cely Let. 22 Jan. in Cely Lett. (1975) 242 The Kynge..muste fflee hys weye owte of the contrey.
1566 J. Partridge Worthie Hystorie Plasidas sig. C.viijv A cruel Woulfe my brother yong, vp in his mouth doth catch. And wendes his way vnto the wood.
1626 First & Best Part Scoggins Iests 30 The thiefe had spied Scogin talking with the sergeants, & fled his way.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 90 Then she railed on me, and I went my way . View more context for this quotation
1765 T. Percy Reliques II. iii. 312 Another call'd him thriftless loone, And bade him sharpely wend his way.
1772 R. Cumberland Fashionable Lover ii. 21 Go your way for a simpleton, and say no more about the matter.
1870 R. S. Maclay & C. C. Baldwin Alphabetic Dict. Chinese Lang. 383/1 Go your way! begone!
1902 Scribner's Mag. May 514/2 ‘Hi, there, you'll wake every watchman in the basin, if you don't stop,’ called the policeman. ‘Go thy way,’ retorted the skipper.
1910 Putnam's Mag. Feb. 538/1 So Hidalgo stripped Scarlet of these things, and rode his way chuckling and enriched.
2001 Shivanath Dogri Folk Tales 19 What's it to you? You better go your way.
(b) In plural, as to go one's ways, to come one's ways (also †to come on one's ways), etc. In later use chiefly British regional, typically in the imperative. [Reflecting the Old English construction with the genitive singular (see quot. OE, and compare Phrases 3a), reinterpreted as showing a plural form. Compare German seines Weges gehen to go on one's way, lit. ‘to go one's way's’, now a fixed expression in which the genitive singular is still transparent (similar uses of the genitive singular without a personal pronoun are also attested in Old High German and Middle High German, e.g. in des weges on the way).]
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]
nimeOE
becomec885
teec888
goeOE
i-goc900
lithec900
wendeOE
i-farec950
yongc950
to wend one's streetOE
fare971
i-wende971
shakeOE
winda1000
meteOE
wendOE
strikec1175
seekc1200
wevec1200
drawa1225
stira1225
glidea1275
kenc1275
movec1275
teemc1275
tightc1275
till1297
chevec1300
strake13..
travelc1300
choosec1320
to choose one's gatea1325
journeyc1330
reachc1330
repairc1330
wisec1330
cairc1340
covera1375
dressa1375
passa1375
tenda1375
puta1382
proceedc1392
doa1400
fanda1400
haunta1400
snya1400
take?a1400
thrilla1400
trace?a1400
trinea1400
fangc1400
to make (also have) resortc1425
to make one's repair (to)c1425
resort1429
ayrec1440
havea1450
speer?c1450
rokec1475
wina1500
hent1508
persevere?1521
pursuec1540
rechec1540
yede1563
bing1567
march1568
to go one's ways1581
groyl1582
yode1587
sally1590
track1590
way1596
frame1609
trickle1629
recur1654
wag1684
fadge1694
haul1802
hike1809
to get around1849
riddle1856
bat1867
biff1923
truck1925
the mind > will > motivation > [phrase] > specific exhortation
come thy waysa1616
OE Acct. Voy. Ohthere & Wulfstan in tr. Orosius Hist. (Tiber.) (1980) i. i. 17 Þonne rideð ælc hys weges mid ðan feo, & hyt motan habban eall.]
lOE Distichs of Cato (Trin. Cambr.) lxxxi (homiletic commentary) in Anglia (1972) 90 16 Tihð þara heafda ælc his wegas & lið þæt bodig unnyt.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Coll. Phys.) l. 22063 Satan..sperid faste..For to be laisid at te laste..To walc his waiis forþe [Vesp. his forth, Fairf. his way] fra þat quile.
c1475 Wisdom (Folger) (1969) l. 874 Turne þi weys, þou gost amyse.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 57 He anon lefte there the stynkeynge body that he appered in, & wente hys wayes.
1562 in J. Stevenson Cal. State Papers: Foreign Ser. (1867) (modernized text) 11 It has come to this extremity that Mr. Thomas had fled his ways if good watch had not been kept.
1581 B. Rich Farewell Militarie Profession Bb ij To conueigh her..a sute of mannes apparell: wherin the next daie in the after noone,..she should shift herself, and so come her waies vnknowne of any, to suche a place.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) i. ii. 197 You meane to mocke me after: you should not haue mockt me before: but come your waies.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 82 Come on your wayes: open your mouth. View more context for this quotation
1701 G. Farquhar Sir Harry Wildair v. vi. 47 Go thy ways for a true Pattern of the Vanity, Impertinence, Subtlety, and Ostentation of thy Country.
1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man i. 3 Well, go thy ways, Sir William Honeywood.
a1794 M. Palmer Dialogue Devonshire Dial. (1837) iii. 20 Gingerly, gingerly, how unvitty and cat-handed you go about et,—go thy ways, you fule.
1803 J. T. Allingham Marriage Promise (ed. 2) iv. ii. 62 Here, George Howard, come thy ways back.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. viii. 124 ‘Ride your ways,’ said the gypsy, ‘ride your ways, Laird of Ellangowan.’
1884 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester (1886) Come thy ways, a coaxing way of calling an animal; or even of addressing children.
1886 R. F. Burton tr. Arabian Nights' Entertainm.: Suppl. Nights I. dcli. 231 The barber marvelled yet the more to see the Fakir rising up and wending his ways.
1921 Everybody's Mag. May 44/1 You can do me no hurt, Fool, nor any good. Go your ways. I can meet what comes to me.
1930 ‘J. Bridie’ Sunlight Sonata in Switchback, Pardoner's Tale, Sunlight Sonata 103 Come your ways oot o' the mirklins.
c. With possessive pronoun, used as the object of a verb to suggest movement or progress, typically with an adverb or adverbial phrase expressing direction. Also (now rarely) with the.
(a) With the verb expressing the manner or style of one's movement. Also in extended use.
ΚΠ
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. xlv. f. cxxviiiv/2 Of the whiche thynge ye holy man this knowynge. went anone after theym. & so besily spedde his way that he ouertoke theym.
1533 T. More Apologye xxxvii. f. 202v He was meruaylousely tormented by the byshoppes offycers in pryson, and sholde haue ben murthered therin to, and that elles he wolde neuer haue runne his way.
1577 R. Robinson Certain Select Hist. Christian Recreations sig. A.iiiv Confused he shall walke his waie.
1678 T. Rymer Edgar ii. x. 24 Love on stretch'd wings impatient speeds his way.
1751 T. Gray Elegy i. 5 The plow-man homeward plods his weary way.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxvi. 274 Mr. Weller wended his way back to the George and Vulture.
1860 W. Collins Woman in White (new ed.) I. 273 Her restless fingers stole their way into my lap, and held fast by one of my hands.
1883 R. Whitelaw tr. Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus in Sophocles Transl. into Eng. Verse 96 The oar-blade wings its wondrous way, Sped by stout arms.
1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Property 209 He..took his hat, and languidly..wended his way home.
1931 ‘B. Starke’ Touch & Go ix. 133 She told me she had hitched her way down to New Orleans a week before.
1948 Sat. Rev. Lit. (U.S.) 21 Feb. 26 She bulldozed her way through her songs.
2010 Grimsby Tel. (Nexis) 4 Mar. 32 He charged his way down the pitch.
(b) With the verb expressing a specific effort made to find or create a path or opportunity for oneself, as to push one's way, to squeeze one's way, etc.to feel one's way: see feel v. Phrases 1. to force one's way: see force v.1 10. to grope one's way: see grope v. 2d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)] > effect forward movement in specific way
way1558
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > forcibly
shovec888
thrustc1330
crowda1415
throngc1440
thrumble?a1513
to shoulder one's way1581
to make one's way1589
bear1594
push1602
jostle1622
force1653
way1694
squeeze1704
to push one's way1716
thrutchc1837
barge1888
1558 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Seuen First Bks. Eneidos iii. sig. H.iij A post in hand he bare of mighty Pyne, and therwithall He felt his way, and led his sheepe.
1608 T. Middleton Famelie of Love v. sig. H The Body where true lou's confin'd, Walkes as a Spirit, and doth force his way Through greatest dangers.
1694 F. Atterbury Christian Relig. Increas'd 9 And Thus the Prophet of the East also hew'd out his way by the power of the Sword.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 121 The slow creeping Evil eats his way, Consumes the parching Limbs; and makes the Life his prey. View more context for this quotation
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. xc. 330 McDonald being surrounded, attempted to fight his way thro', and wounded his man.
1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 42 No more thy glassy brook reflects the day, But, choked with sedges, works its weedy way.
1833 H. Martineau Berkeley the Banker i. vii. 132 A carrier had left the market early to elbow his way into the bank.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 136 We..entered the office, in company with..as many dirty-faced spectators as could squeeze their way in.
1865 F. Parkman Huguenots vii, in Pioneers of France in New World 109 Hacking their way through thickets of the yucca, or Spanish bayonet.
1897 J. L. Allen Choir Invisible ii. 11 He failed to urge his way through the throng as speedily as he may have expected.
1926 People's Home Jrnl. Feb. 38/2 Do you wait your turn in leaving the theater or do you push your way up the aisle in your mad hurry to get out before the crowd?
1949 Amer. Aviation 1 Dec. 27/2 The 11-year-old boy who smooth-talked his way on TWA all the way from New York to St. Louis without a ticket.
1982 Z. Edgell Beka Lamb vii. 38 Beka squeezed her way between shoppers, sacks of flour and rice, barrels and drums, until she reached a counter at the rear of the shop.
2000 Independent 20 Sept. (Wednesday Review section) 4/2 The mood soon turned ugly as he shouldered his way through us to the bar.
(c) With the verb expressing an action which is performed in the course of one's movement.
ΚΠ
1758 J. Macpherson Highlander v. 65 He hiss'd his way along.
1827 P. Cunningham Two Years New S. Wales II. xxiv. 123 If he inquires his way through Sydney of one of our titulars [a convict with a mark or badge],..he runs a risk of having his pocket picked.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 2nd Ser. 20 The muffin-boy rings his way down the little street.
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. iii. 44 The virtuous servant, Roger Cly, swore his way through the case at a great rate.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 15 Oct. 7/2 The competitors have..piped their way up to the games ground.
1957 G. Frick tr. ‘M. Yourcenar’ Coup de Grâce 58 I held her by both arms as she vomited her way up the steps.
2010 Mirror (Ulster ed.) (Nexis) 30Apr. 11 Which sexy PR girl was the talk of the town after drunkenly snogging her way around half the bar in Belfast this week.
†10.
a. A journey, a voyage; (sometimes) spec. a pilgrimage. Also in figurative, esp. spiritual, contexts. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun]
forec900
wayOE
farec1000
sitheOE
gangOE
journey?c1225
gatea1300
pilgrimagec1300
voyage1338
wending1340
raik?c1350
turna1400
repairc1425
went1430
reisea1450
progressionc1450
progressa1460
race1513
peregrination1548
travel1559
passance1580
dogtrot1856
trek1895
ulendo1921
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xl. 528 Understandað nu hwilc sy on weges geswince to ateorianne, & þeah nelle þone weig geendian.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Domitian A.viii) anno 889 Æðelswyþ..forðferde be Romwege [L. in itinere Romę], & hyre lic liþ at Pauie.
?a1200 ( tr. Pseudo-Apuleius Herbarium (Harl. 6258B) xi. 55 Gif man on weiȝe [OE Vitell. siðfæt; L. iter] gon wille, ðanne ȝenime he him on hande þas wirte artemesiam & habbe mid him; þanne ne beþ he weri on ȝeie [read weie; OE Vitell. þæs siðes].
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 258 Þach habeon in worldlich wei as ich seide of pilegrim. Ach habbeð hare heorte eauer towart heouene.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xxiv. 21 Wylnyng to wyte wheþer þe lord hadde made his way: welsum [L. utrum prosperum iter suum fecisset Dominus] or none.
a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Pilgrim of St. James (Coll. Phys.) in Middle Eng. Dict. at Jame A man..til sain Iamis hit the way.
?1418–19 in F. J. Furnivall Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 40 (MED) I pray ȝou..send a man to the Holy priour of Brydlyngton to offer for me and for any thing, that this way to Bridlington and the Trentale be to both be-for Estren.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 553 (MED) He wylle wyghtlye in a qwhyle on his wayes hye.
c1450 (?c1400) Three Kings Cologne (Cambr. Ee.4.32) (1886) 56 Whan þey had spoke togedir and euerych of hem had tolde his purpos and þe cause of his weye.
a1500 Legend of Cross in Medium Ævum (1965) 34 214 (MED) Cherubyn..asked hym the cause of his wey or comyng.
b. A circuit court; = eyre n. 2a. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > a or the session of a court > [noun] > circuit made by judge or sheriff
eyrec1350
justry1420
sheriff tourn1432
tourn1432
progress?c1450
tourney1451
circuit1503
wayc1503
iter1647
c1503 R. Arnold Chron. f. ijv/1 That the citezens may recorde ther libarteis afore the kingis Iusticis and mynystres what so euer notwythstandyng Statutis of the wey or domes in the contrey made or shewyd oute.
c1503 tr. Charter of London in R. Arnold Chron. f. xv/2 And that the forsayd Citezens in the weys of Iustice to the tour of london frohensforward goyng, that they bee not lad by the lawes by which they were ledde in the weys holden in the tymes of John and herry Somtyme kynge of englande.
11.
a. Room or space by which to pass or advance; opportunity to move forward without hindrance or obstruction; (figurative) freedom of action, scope, opportunity. In Old and early Middle English chiefly with rime (see rime v.2 1b); subsequently, usually in established phrases, as to make way (see Phrases 1g(a)), to give way (see give v. Phrases 1f), to have way (see Phrases 1b(b)(ii)). Cf. sense B. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > [noun] > opportunity for
wayOE
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 2nd Ser. (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xx. 196 Hi becomon ða eft to ðam witniendlicum fyre. and se gewæpnoda engel rymde him weg þurh þæt fyr.
OE Wulfstan Gifts Holy Spirit (Hatton) 190 Manswican..syndan forbodan & Antecristes þrælas þe his weg rymað, þeah hy swa ne wenan.
a1275 (?c1200) Prov. Alfred (Trin. Cambr.) (1955) 130 (MED) Drunken mon wis [read ȝif] þu mestes [read metes]..þu ȝef him þe weie reme.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 277 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 307 Ȝif þou go with a-noþer at þo gate, And ȝe be bothe of on astate, Be curtasye and let hym haue þe way.
1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus Famous Hyst. ii. f. 90v The inferiour meeting with his elder, yeeldeth the way.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 188 If any vulgar fellow meet them, they presently shake and vibrate their Swords..and so obtaine the way without opposition.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam c. 155 Poor rivals in a losing game, That will not yield each other way . View more context for this quotation
1902 M. Pemberton I crown thee King viii. 105 I doubt if such will find a gate of Paradise open to them, and lacking the way, 'tis not odd that they should turn to Sherwood again.
1977 tr. K. Asan in S. N. Sadasivan Party & Democracy in India vi. 212 Lowliest of all are these children of slush Even grass resents to yield them way.
1996 R. Mistry Fine Balance (1997) i. 38 The caterer's men staggered in with hot, heavy dishes... Everyone reverently made way for the food.
b. Law. = right of way n. Now chiefly U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > rights to do or use something > [noun] > right of way
gate-lawa1642
way1653
right of way1765
carriageway1790
right of ramblage1887
1653 J. Lee Considerations Common Fields xvi. 29 So your neighbours comming over your ground is in it selfe but a trifle, but if he practise it ordinarily, and will not take warning, intending to intitle himself to a way there without leave, where of right he hath none, it may be a just ground of a law suit, and action of Trespasse.
a1691 P. Ventris Rep. (1696) i. 48 A Man hath a Messuage and a Way to it through anothers Freehoold.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. iii. 35 A fourth species of incorporeal hereditaments is that of ways; or the right of going over another man's ground.
1789 C. Durnford & E. H. East Rep. Cases King's Bench III. 766 The plaintiff..by reason of his possession thereof was entitled to a certain way from the said messuage unto into through and over a certain close of the defendant.
1803 C. Barton Elem. Convey. (1821) III. 180 If a copyholder has had time out of mind, a way over another's copyhold.
1832 Act 2 & 3 William IV c. 71 §2 No Claim which may be lawfully made at the Common Law, by Custom, Prescription, or Grant, to any Way or other Easement, [etc.].
1910 Rep. Supreme Court Georgia 133 18 No question in regard to the right of a way of necessity is involved in this case.
1988 West's Pacific Reporter 2nd Ser. 757 1087/1 Under common law, dedication of a public way is established by demonstrating that the property owner unequivocally intended to make the dedication and that the dedication was accepted by the governmental authority.
12.
a. A distance travelled or to be travelled; the distance from one place to another. Chiefly with modifying word. †a mile of way: a mile away (obsolete rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > distance (to be) travelled
wayeOE
progress1601
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Tanner) i. xiii. 56 Þa..heo..sumne dæl þæs weges [L. aliquantulum itineris] gefaren hæfdon, ða ongunnon heo..ondredan him þone siðfæt.
OE tr. Alexander's Let. to Aristotle (1995) §32. 246 Ða ondsworadon hie mec & sægdon þæt nære mara weg þonne [ic] meahte on tyn dagum geferan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3472 Acc fra þatt kalldewisshe land..Wass mikell weȝȝe till þatt land. [Þ]att crist wass borenn inne.
c1350 Rabe Moyses (Rawl.) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1901) 106 350 (MED) Þe iurney euery day Moste be foureti myle wey.
?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 32 It es a grete way betwene þam.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xix. 7 Stonde vp, and eate, for thou hast a greate waye to go.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iii. viii. 82 b Trauailing both day and night..[they] do dispatch more way then the best horse..coulde doe.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iii. i. 54 The way is but short, away. View more context for this quotation
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 176 There came a man, and two women swimming to vs, more then a mile of way.
1697 Countess D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 44 They commit these Villanies hard by a Sanctuary, so have the less way to an Altar.
1744 J. Harris Three Treat. i. 18 We have walked so leisurely, that much remains of our Way.
1844 Ld. Brougham Albert Lunel I. ii. 39 The Marchioness's walk lasted seldom less than an hour, so that she must have some way to go.
1882 Baily's Monthly Mag. Feb. 300 We had a long way to travel back to the Quorn country.
1906 H. C. Alexander Richard Cadbury vi. 101 There is a little promontory that runs out for some way between the rivers.
1954 J. R. R. Tolkien Two Towers iii. iv. 90 We have a long way to go, and there is time ahead for thought.
2002 T. Zahn Manta's Gift (2003) 278 Let's do it and get out of here. We've still got a long way to go.
b. In noun phrases used adverbially, frequently with prepositional phrase or adverb as a complement. In later use also without adjective; cf. a ways at Phrases 3b(b). Cf. halfway adv.Noun phrases used in this way are found earlier (in Old and early Middle English) in the genitive: see Phrases 3.For extended and figurative uses of adverbial phrases of this type, see senses A. 12b(b), A. 12d.
(a) With the complement expressing direction or relative position, as a long way off, a little way from, a fair way out, etc.
ΚΠ
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) 6973 Mihhtenn þeȝȝ fullwel Binnenn þrittene daȝȝess. Vpp o þatt der. þatt iss swa swifft full mikell weȝȝe forþenn.
c1300 St. Edmund King (Laud) l. 29 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 297 In þe toune of Eglesdone a guod wei þannes, he was.
c1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Vesp. B.xii) (1904) 31 Þan þei goo a grete waye thennes and ther he alyned [v.r. alyneth] hure [Fr. elle se fait alinher à lui].
1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. biiij Whan yowre hauke hathe nomme a partrich, stonde a goode way of, and come not to nygh her, and dryue a way yowre houndys, for rebukung of hir.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Iviijv It is no good argument, if I se a tree a good way from me, to say, it is a tree, therefore it is an Apple tree.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A7 Long way he traueiled, before he heard of ought.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 424 With such a loude knack or crack, as it might be heard a great way off.
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 36 The Sand-banks..reach out a good way into the Sea.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 77. ¶1 I saw him squirr away his Watch a considerable way into the Thames.
1744 J. Bartram Let. Dec. (1992) 250 Candle mirtle grows a long way off in Jersey.
1760 G. Colman Polly Honeycombe i. 5 I long for..a snug Party a little way out of town.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 286 I must ask the favour of your company a little way.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 143 It is a low,..dusty shop, the door of which stands always doubtfully, a little way open.
1879 ‘A Hater of Humbug’ Joxon's Antics iv. 59 Well, a telephone is this Matilda, a thing you speak through, and people can hear what you say a long way away.
1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xxi. 107 But the village of Davenant is not a great way off.
1898 F. Montgomery Tony 18 She stood a little way from the door.
1927 Pop. Sci. Monthly Apr. 37/2 He ran to a willow bush that grew a little way off.
1966 V. Nabokov Speak, Memory (U.S. rev. ed.) iv. 87 My brother and I..managed to evade her nervous vigilance by boarding a steamer that took us quite a way down the Rhine before recapture.
1994 J. Birmingham He died with Felafel in his Hand (1997) iv. 65 I could hear those drunken Barmy Army fools singing Rule Britannia a way off in the distance.
1996 L. Al-Hafidh et al. Europe: Rough Guide (ed. 3) ii. xiv. 713 A fair way out from the centre but good for families with kids.
2005 A. K. Hellum Painter's Year Forests Bhutan 24 Its flowers are so sulphury yellow the bush can be spotted a long way off.
(b) figurative. With the complement expressing distance in time.
ΚΠ
1792 European Mag. & London Rev. Aug. 136/2 We see only a short way into futurity.
1874 H. Sweet in Trans. Philol. Soc. 1873–4, 516 The most characteristic features of Middle English, as, for instance, ii and uu, were preserved some way into the sixteenth century.
1899 Badminton Mag. Apr. 455 ‘The boys’, Mr. Percy and Mr. Charles Peck, were at school, a remark which seems harking back a long way.
1938 D. Thomas Let. 31 Aug. (1985) 323 October seems, to me in my desperate state, with inevitable debts mounting, a long way off.
1997 J. Allen Seeing Red p. xviii Reunification was still some way into the future, so Hong Kong was lower on the agenda.
2006 Weight Watchers Mag. June 77/1 As summer holidays are still a way off, get the look with a bottle or can of self-tanner instead.
†c. The period between one point in time and another. In early use as an imprecise measure of time, esp. the time taken to cover a specified distance. Chiefly in mileway n. 2, furlong way n. at furlong n. 1c. Frequently in adverbial phrases. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time > period of time between events or interval
waya1300
distancec1330
interstition1390
spacea1400
pastimea1513
vacance1533
intermission?1566
vacation1567
intervallum1574
interim1579
between-timea1586
wem1599
parenthesis1600
intermedium1611
betweena1616
fore-while?1615
interpolation1615
vacancya1616
interval1616
interstitium1624
slatcha1625
interspace1629
intermissa1633
between-spacea1641
interregnum1659
intervalea1661
interlapse1666
interlude1751
in-between1815
lapse1817
intermezzo1851
meanwhile1872
a1300 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 3 Louerd, þu clepedest me an ich nagt ne ansuarede þe Bute wordes scloe and sclepie: ‘þole þet [i.e. yet]! þole a litel!’ Bute ‘þiet’ and ‘þiet’ [i.e. yiet] was endelis, and ‘þole a litel’ a long wey is.
c1300 St. Clement (Laud) l. 475 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 337 (MED) Water huy nadden neiȝ heom non bi six Mile wei wel longue.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 451 They seten stille, wel a furlong way.
c1450 in T. Austin Two 15th-cent. Cookery-bks. (1888) 91 Cast thereto Salte, and lete stonde a forlonge wey or ij.
d. figurative. Chiefly in adverbial phrases indicating the degree or extent to which something is the case, as a great (now usually good) way, (by) a long way, all the way.Frequently in established phrases, e.g. to go a long way, to go all the way (see Phrases 1a(b)), to have come a long way at Phrases 7k(b), to be a long way from at Phrases 7k(c), all the way from —— to (also †unto) —— at Phrases 7e.Earliest in at the least way at leastway n., but equivalent uses are found earlier in the genitive (see Phrases 3).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > to a large extent
in (also a) great party1372
a great wayc1405
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > to a great extent or by far
great quantityc1330
far forthly1362
by farc1380
well awayc1390
by half?a1400
by mucha1450
far (and) away1546
by a great sort1579
to stand head and shoulders abovea1683
(by) a long way1741
by a jugful1831
by all odds1832
by a long, damn, etc., sight1834
out and away1834
(by) a long chalk1835
by chalks1835
by long chalks1835
by a street1886
a whole lot1886
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) 966 Do thow thy deuoir, at the leeste weye.
1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. lxijv Compare that chefe Apostle vnto Paul, and he is founde a great waye inferior.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 106 Heere, as I point my Sword, the Sunne arises, Which is a great way growing on the South. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 100 I loue him for his sake, And yet I..Thinke him a great way foole. View more context for this quotation
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 484 Why, forsooth, so much ado, why such a vast way about, to obtain a few Verses?
1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. i. 21 A Dogmatist in Religion is not a long way off from a Bigot.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews II. iv. 83 He used to say, the School itself initiated him a great way . View more context for this quotation
1830 Amer. Anecd. II. cclxxxv. 84 I always had a prodigious opinion of doctor Franklin, as the usefulest man we ever had among us, by a long way.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. vi. 94 He is more of a gentleman by a long way than most.
1881 Argosy 31 47 I don't think I'm a great way better..I've been here more than forty year, and I've grown old with hard work.
1922 S.C.A.A. News June 7/2 There is still a long way to go before all the cases of tuberculosis are discovered, reported and brought under care.
a1942 J. S. Neilson Autobiogr. (1978) 60 We were a good way better off than some of our Southern neighbours.
1973 ‘N. Carter’ Spanish Connection x. 112 I'm saying I can't buy your story all the way, Corelli.
2010 Independent 15 June (Viewspaper section) 6/6 Football is by a long way the most popular sport on the planet.
13.
a. A specified direction of travel or movement; (also) a specified orientation.
(a) In prepositional phrases and noun phrases used adverbially, as this way, that way, which way, the other way, all ways, etc.See also the right way at right adj. and int. Phrases 1c, the wrong way at wrong adj. 9a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > [noun]
sideOE
wayOE
coast1377
partc1380
airta1400
quarter1604
carriage1663
direction1665
range1678
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxvi. 397 Me [sc. St Peter] he clypað nu to his rice, awendað for þi mine fotwelmas to þam heofonlican wege.
c1392 Equatorie of Planetis 34 (MED) Ne lettere E ne seruyth nat but for to shewe the which wey þt thow shalt procede fro lettere D.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22573 Þe fixses þat þar-in er stade,..Til erth wai [Gött. Till erdward] þan sal þai fle.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail liii. l. 302 The kyng Abowtes sente be Every way bothe Aftyr Masowns And Carpentere, An hows Of Religiown to Fownden there.
?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Ci As for almayne lyeth this way Here lyeth denmarke and norway And northwarde on this syde There lyeth Iselonde.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. i. 62 By the pricking of my Thumbes, Something wicked this way comes. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. vii. 52 Oh turne thy edged Sword another way.
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 31 As take a straw and throw it up into the Air, you shall see by that which way the Wind is.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 571 This way, and that his winding Course he bends.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 190 Our advantageous Ground was the Destruction of a great many Thousands of the French, for we had them all Ways, Front, and Rear, and Flank.
1762 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy V. x. 54 A pull of a trigger—a push of a bayonet an inch this way or that—makes the difference.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. xi. 277 Janet..ventured to ask her lady, which way she proposed to direct her flight.
1846 G. P. R. James Step-mother II. xxxviii. 106 The instant he entered—though the servant said, ‘this way, sir.’
1875 Belgravia July 133 He passed round, the way of the wine, a subscription-list, and the conversation flowed fast and furious.
1908 C. Igglesden Saunter through Kent VIII. 22 On the Canterbury road, which runs in a southerly way out of the village, stands an old Georgian residence.
1928 J. M. Barrie Peter Pan i, in Plays 32 Wendy: Where do you live now? Peter: With the lost boys... They are the children who fall out of their prams when the nurse is looking the other way.
1938 D. Baker Young Man with Horn ii. i. 103 There it was, faced this way and faced that way.
1994 Daily Mail 29 Sept. 9/1 He helped me..out of a terrible mess when I hadn't got a clue which way to turn.
2014 J. Al-Khalili & J. McFadden Life on Edge iv. 126 It resembles the path taken by an intoxicated drinker exiting a bar, wandering this way and that until he eventually finds his way home.
(b) Modified by a place name in adverbial phrases, esp. prepositional phrases with down, over, by, etc., e.g. down Mexico way: in the direction of the specified place; (now also) in the region or neighbourhood of. Formerly also with the place name in an of-phrase.
ΚΠ
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. ccxli. f. cccxii Ye king had desyred the duke that he shulde nat bringe hym London waye, nor through the cytie and therfore they tooke that waye.
1580 T. Tusser Fiue Hundred Pointes Good Husbandrie (new ed.) f. 43 In Cambridge shire forward, to Lincolne shire way, the champion maketh his fallow in May.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 276 From whence we saw..to the Westward, in the way of Egypt, the Castle of..Elisha.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond ii As it was a very fine night, [we] strolled out for a walk West End way.
1873 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera III. xxxiii. 2 When last I was up Huntly Burn way, there was no burn there.
1884 London Soc. Holiday issue 61/2 Happened down New Orleans way, to two friends of mine.
1896 G. Chanter Witch of Withyford xv. 185 Joan she married Farmer Blake as lives over Molton way.
1902 V. Jacob Sheep-stealers viii ‘Where are you going to now?’.. ‘Down Crishowell way’.
1939 J. Kennedy South of Border (Down Mexico Way) (song lyric) South of the Border, down Mexico way That's where I fell in love when stars above came out to play.
1978 R. L. Balzer Wines Calif. 97/2 [He]..got fed up with a civil-engineering career in West Germany, chucked it, and headed California way to become a winemaker.
1992 R. Kenan Let Dead bury their Dead xii. 289 He come to live over by Fayetteville way, is where he went to.
2006 Independent 3 Oct. (Extra section) 7/1 Down Dulwich way, nervous parents are wondering about the wisdom of letting their children go trick-or-treating.
(c) With possessive pronoun in adverbial phrases: in the specified person's direction. Also figurative. Also down (also round, etc.) my (his, etc.) way: in the neighbourhood or area where the specified person lives.
ΚΠ
1599 H. Porter Pleasant Hist. Two Angrie Women of Abington sig. Bv And if it hap your husband come our way A hunting, or such ordinary sports, Ile do as much for yours, as you for mine.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. iii. 7 When youth with comelinesse pluck'd all gaze his way . View more context for this quotation
1672 J. Lacy Dumb Lady ii. i. 19 I hope you'l be civil to a stranger; if you come my way, I'l be as kind to you, Sir.
?a1719 Visct. Bolingbroke Let. in Edinb. Mag. (1762) June 284/2 If possible I shall take an airing down your way on Saturday.
1800 F. Lathom Dash of Day i. iii. 18 I seldom come your way now.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. vi. xix. 172 The first time you come my way you shall have two glasses of brandy and water.
1878 E. J. Trelawny Rec. Shelley, Byron I. 167 A vehement exclamation..from one of the trio of ladies, drew all eyes her way.
1905 Secret Service 3 Mar. 18/2 The tug was distinctly visible, and Harry could see that it was moving his way.
1974 R. L. Hill Nails v. 47 I've seen him down our way before.
1999 C. A. Porter Captive Angel v. 75 Jack Daltry was coming her way. Her pulse picked up.
2000 N.Y. Times 31 Dec. xiv. 4/3 Round my way, everybody's got a gun.
(d) to come (also fall) a person's way: to be met with or encountered in the course of a person's experience; to happen to or become available to someone. Cf. to come (also fall, lie, etc.) in one's way at Phrases 2e(e)(i).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > fall to one
shootc1175
happen1477
to come in one's way1533
land1679
to come a person's waya1816
to drop into the lap of1962
a1816 H. H. Brackenridge Mod. Chivalry (1819) II. i. i. 3 When your book came my way, I read all of it that I could understand.
1855 Dublin Univ. Mag. Apr. 456/1 Providence..gave me the means and inclination to profit by every glimpse that comes my way of the green and rose-colour of human nature.
1867 Sunday Mag. 1 Nov. 87/2 The Gospel comes his way in a sermon because he has taken shelter from a shower in a church porch.
1932 W. Cather Obscure Destinies 43 The coppers that came Anton's way were very few.
1937 J. P. Marquand Late George Apley xi. 124 It is hard..to love the whole new group of extraneous people who fall your way, simply because they are relatives of your wife.
1992 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 16 Jan. 53/2 Ian reasonably supposes that no bitterer news can possibly come his way.
2004 Stardust (Internat. ed.) June 94 I have taken on more work than I can chew, but then too many good offers have been coming my way.
b. figurative indicating the content or nature of a person's opinions, preferences, talents, etc., or the direction of a course of events or likely outcome of a situation or action. Usually in noun phrases used adverbially, esp. that way. Now chiefly in that way inclined: inclined towards something; also (euphemistic) homosexual.With reference to person's opinions or preferences, frequently in predicative use: see Phrases 7g(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > [noun] > that way or condition
waya1516
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > homosexuality > [adjective] > homosexual
inverted1870
Uranian1883
homosexual1892
homogenic1894
camp1910
homosex1913
queer1914
homoerotic1915
homosexualist1920
homo1923
faggoty1928
tapette1930
fag1932
gay1934
so1937
same-sex1938
faggy1949
ginger beer1959
that waya1960
that way inclineda1960
ginger1965
minty1965
pink1972
leather1990
a1516 H. Medwall Godely Interlude Fulgens i. sig. b.ivv A wyll ye take it that way My lady I ment not so parde.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. f. ccxlv/2 For the duke of Lancastre wolde haue had me for his sonne the erle of Derby, and the erle of Foiz enclyned rather that waye than to you.
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor iii. ii. 71 My liking goes not that way.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xi. 20 O that way madnes lies, Let me shun that. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 386 He was not enclin'd that way . View more context for this quotation
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Lovers Progres i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Iii4v/1 Leon. You are Poeticall. Mal. Something given that way.
1652 J. Howell tr. A. Giraffi Exact Hist. Late Revol. Naples (new ed.) ii. 90 Three Brothers were detected to have a Design that way.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 108. ¶7 Finding his Genius did not lie that Way.
1858 A. Trollope Three Clerks II. x. 227 You must not compare me with them... They are patterns of excellence. I am all the other way.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. x. 163 Both ‘smalls’ and ‘greats’ are sufficiently distant to be altogether ignored if we are that way inclined.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 126 Foxe, whose evidence is often one way and his assertions the other.
1916 A. Bennett These Twain xx. 518 ‘He simply hates doing a thing straight off.’ ‘Yes, he is rather that way inclined.’
1954 Manch. Guardian 20 May 2/3 To make light of it and simply to say ‘He is that way inclined. He likes doing that and why should he not?’ is a complete perversion of the doctrine of tolerance.
a1960 E. M. Forster Maurice (1971) vii. 42 The Greeks, or most of them, were that way inclined, and to omit it is to omit the mainstay of Athenian society.
1991 Sun 13 June 1/1 You could tell by the way he walked and talked he was that way inclined.
2002 Digital Photogr. made Easy No. 12. 68/3 There is a 10-second timer for taking photos of yourself if you are that way inclined.
14.
a. Nautical. Progress or forward motion of a ship or boat through the water; the impetus or momentum gained by a moving vessel; (also) the rate of this progress; a ship's or boat's speed. See also headway n. 3a, leeway n.to freshen way: see freshen v. 5.Compare also under way adv. 1, from which this sense probably evolved.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [noun] > progress through water
way?1574
?1574 W. Bourne Regiment for Sea xix. sig. N.ijv At euery time that the wynde doth shifte, and the ship can not lye hir course, to note in the carde or plat in what place the ship may be: in hauing a speciall regarde vnto the way of the ship, as touching the swiftnesse or slownesse that the shippe goeth.
1663 W. Davenant Siege of Rhodes: 2nd Pt. ii. 11 Those who withstand The Tide of Flood..Fall back when they in vain would onward row: We strength and way preserve by lying still.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. iv. vi. 160 If you sail against a Current, if it be swifter than the Ship's way, you fall a Stern.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 15 She stood away for Brest, and we..fired a Chace Gun, but we fired too soon, for we lost Way and she gained.
1758 Philos. Trans. 1757 (Royal Soc.) 50 34 The sea was rough, and the yacht had great way.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. xiii. 252 Now mind, boys, don't quicken,..four short strokes, to get way on her, and then steady.
1885 Law Rep.: Probate Div. 10 101 She ran into the Nio before her way could be stopped.
1889 J. K. Jerome Three Men in Boat ix We can't steer, if you keep stopping. You must keep some way on the boat.
1900 J. Conrad Lord Jim x. 119 In the dark she seemed to fly, but of course she could not have had much way.
1988 Yachting World Oct. 106/1 Running astern the moment way is established.
2010 Yachting Monthly Apr. 46/2 He stressed the importance of getting the sail hoisted while the boat was still head-to-wind so that as she gathered way astern she would be pointed in the right direction.
b. In extended use.
ΚΠ
1642 W. Price Serm. 14 Hee, who denyed him afore a Damsell, confest him afore a Councell, like a metled horse, that after a stumble, amends his pace, and gaines way.
1799 Missionary Voy. S. Pacific Ocean 352 Their breast reposing on the plank, and one hand moving them forward, till the surf begins to gather way.
1825 New Landlord's Tales II. 119 He lost way, while those in the rear were gaining upon him.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxv. 251 He came out of his corner with such a way on him, that Rob retreated before him.
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xiii. 106 A..short dark man came into the room with so much way upon him, that he was within a foot of Clennam before he could stop.
1911 Times 22 Aug. 8/2 He shut off his engine and by so doing took the ‘way’ off the biplane.
1914 Contemp. Rev. Nov. 680 The train gathered way.
1944 L. P. Hartley Shrimp & Anemone v. 68 On the downward gradient the bath-chair began to gather way.
2008 J. P. D. Dunbabin Cold War (ed. 2) ix. 391 Soviet suppression of dissent, surprisingly tentative in the years after Khrushchev's fall, began to gather way in the early 1970s.
†15. Nautical. The underwater portion of a ship's hull, where it rises and narrows at the rear towards the stern, or at the front towards the bow. Also more fully after way, way aftward, way forward. Cf. run n.2 30a, run forward n. at run n.2 Compounds 3. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > either extremity of vessel > [noun] > projection beyond keel
run1607
way1607
rakea1621
overhang1853
1607 W. Raleigh Lett. (1999) 302 To make her swifte is to give her a large run or way forward, and so afterwarde.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ii. 3 The run of the ship from the floore, which is that part of the ship vnder water which comes narrower by degrees from the floore timbers along to the sterne post, called the ships way aftward.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ii. 10 The meane is the best if her after way be answerable.
1644 H. Mainwaring Sea-mans Dict. 114 The Rake and Run of a ship, is called her way foreward-on, or aftward-on.
1691 W. Petty Treat. Naval Philos. in T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 122 The proportion between the way of the Ship cut off at its greatest transverse section, and the way of the same shaped from the same section forward in the usual manner.
III. A course of action or behaviour; a means, a manner, a method.
16.
a. A path or course of life; a person's activities and fortunes in life, esp. when considered from an ethical or spiritual point of view.Sometimes (now rarely) in the error of one's way; cf. the now usual the error of one's ways at sense A. 16b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > way of life > [noun] > course or way of life
wayeOE
lifeOE
train1580
career1803
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) xlii. 306 To ðæm anstræcum is gecueden ðurh Salomon: Hie etað ðone wæsðm hiera ægnes weges [L. comedent igitur fructus viae suae].
OE King Ælfred tr. Psalms (Paris) (2001) v. 8 Gerihte minne weg beforan þinre ansyne (se weg ys min weorc).
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 18068 Forr all þe laferrd cristess lif. & all hiss hallȝhe lare. & all hiss weȝȝe. & all hiss werrc. [etc.].
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. xxi. 2 Eche weie [L. via] of a man riȝt to hym semeth.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 8590 Of mister was þer wimmen twyn. atte led þaire life in way of syn [Vesp. wit sike and sin, Gött. in sake and sine].
c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 4 (MED) Iacobus: He that maketh a synner to be conuertyde from errour of hys wey schal saue hys soule fro deth.
1577 W. Gace tr. N. Hemmingsen Learned Comm. Epist. Iames the Apostle v. f. 90 Diligence in furthering the saluation of their brethren is commended to the godlye, that one call another from the errour of his way, that is, of doctrine and of life.
1649 J. Owen Serm. preached to House of Commons 93 To bring them off from the error of the way.
1653 J. Hane Jrnl. (1896) 1 By the Lord's providence who disposeth of all the wayes and actions of man.
1709 M. Prior Henry & Emma 395 One Destiny our Life shall guide; Nor Wild, nor Deep our common Way divide.
1751 T. Gray Elegy xix. 9 They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.
1827 Christian Baptist (Va.) 6 Aug. 14 You have..sincerely repented of the error of your way.
1871 Yorks. Christmas Ann. 44/1 We all know that your way in life was made for you. Your father's marriage with old Joshua Staple ton's daughter put a silver spoon in your mouth.
1995 R. Fuller Brotherhood of Common Life v. 104 The Christian ‘way in life’ was a reaffirmation of traditional teaching.
b. In plural. A person's habitual conduct viewed with regard to its morality. Now frequently in the error of one's ways (cf. earlier the error of one's way at sense A. 16a).See also the much weakened sense A. 23b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > a habit or practice > collectively > specific with regard to morals
wayseOE
manners?c1225
moursc1250
carriage1588
moralsa1625
eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) xxxviii. 1 Dixi cvstodiam uias meas ut non delinquam in lingua mea : ic cweð ic haldu wegas mine ðet ic ne agylte in tungan minre.
OE Wulfstan Isaiah on Punishment for Sin (Hatton) 220 Bonas facite uias uestras & studia uestra... Gehyrað..Godes word nu ða &..godiað georne eowre agene wegas & ealle eowre dæda.
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 83 (MED) Ic wile tache ðo unrih[t]wisen ðine weiȝes.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) cxxxviii. 3 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 265/2 (MED) Þou forsagh mi waies [L. vias] ilkan.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 32 (MED) If þou sey not to þe wickid man þat he go fro his wickid weies..I schal seek his blod of þin hond.
c1475 Mankind (1969) l. 762 (MED) New Gyse, Nowadays, Nought wyth þer allectuose ways They haue pervertyde Mankynde.
1517 R. Fox tr. St. Benedict Rule vi. sig. B,viv Let vs doo as the prophet sayth, I haue aduysid and purposed with my sealfe to take hede of my wayes, that I offende not with my toong.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) James i. 8 A waverynge mynded man is vnstable in all his wayes.
?1526 J. Fisher Serm. conc. Heretickes sig. F.iij They dispise al gouernours, and them that be in auctorite, & they be stiffe & heedy in their wayes.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 39/1 So that euer at length euil driftes dreue to nought, & good plain wayes prosper.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 95 Thow sall not follow wickit mennis wayis.
1599 W. Shakespeare et al. Passionate Pilgrime (new ed.) sig. D3 And to her will frame all thy waies.
1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin xvii. 291 His Companions in sin not finding him in his old wayes begin to laugh at him.
1671–1704 Two-penny-worth of Wit for Penny (single sheet) Lives so civil in his ways That all his neighbours give him Praise.
1741 S. Richardson Lett. Particular Friends lvi. 71 Consider then, I beseech you, in time, the Evil of your Ways.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 23 Seeing the error of his ways he had undergone a conversion.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxxvii. 232 I wish, friend, thee would leave off cursing and swearing, and think upon thy ways.
1913 F. Bancroft Divided 18 A..heart-searing worship that softened his iron nature to an occasional fit of repentance and amendment of his ways.
1972 Times 15 Aug. 10/5 [He] will suddenly realize the error of his ways.
2006 Sight & Sound Sept. 48/1 The message is: bullies must learn the errors of their ways by enduring a taste of their own medicine.
c. the ways of God, his ways and variants: the course of God's providence.Used in biblical translations in all periods from Old English onwards.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > activities of God > [noun] > divine providence
the ways of GodeOE
providencea1382
purveyinga1382
purveyancec1385
(God's, divine) foresighta1400
prudencec1425
proviancec1460
provisionc1460
pronoia1874
eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) cxliv. 18 Iustus dominus in omnibus uiis suis : rehtwis dryhten in allum wegum his.
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Deut. (Claud.) xxxii. 4 Godes weorc synd fulfremede & ealle his wegas synd domas.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. viii. 22 The Lord weldide me [sc. Wisdom] in the begynnyng of his weies [so 1535 Coverdale, 1611 King James way; L. viarum].
a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 124 (MED) Þe domys of God been incomprehensible..No man may tracyn hese weyis.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Rom. xi. 33 Howe incomprehensible are his iudgementes, and hys wayes vnserchable [1611 King James his wayes past finding out; 1961 New Eng. untraceable his ways].
1533 J. More tr. F. Nausea Serm. Sacram. of Aulter sig. d Howe incomprehensyble be his iudgementes? how inuestygable his ways? For who knewe the mynde of oure lorde, or who was his counsaylour?
1640 Whole Bk. Psalmes: ‘Bay Psalm Bk.’ Pref. sig. *2 Such is the subtilty of the enemie, and the enmity of our nature against the Lord, & his wayes, that our hearts can finde matter of discord in this harmony.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 413 To attaine The highth and depth of thy Eternal wayes All human thoughts come short, Supream of things. View more context for this quotation
1738 Countess of Hartford in Countess of Hartford & Countess of Pomfret Corr. (1805) I. 28 It..tells us..that a day will come when the ways of Providence will be cleared up.
1840 Merchants' Mag. Feb. 111 The results to which we shall be led by those inquiries can only be a more extended knowledge of the ways of the Creator.
1884 J. Sibree tr. G. W. F. Hegel Lect. Philos. Hist. (new ed.) 16 A justification of the ways of God..in indefinite abstract categories.
1973 J. Bayly View from Hearse (rev. ed.) xviii. 104 The ones who want an answer to the problem of suffering must get behind and beyond the acts of God, as Moses did, and discern His ways.
2011 L. Thomas Conscience i. 11 One child died, six lived. The Thomas parents explained that inexplicable calculus to themselves the same way that their own parents had: The ways of God are unknowable, and tragedy is a fact of life.
d. A set of precepts or prescribed course of conduct followed by those who profess a particular faith; (in early use) spec. God's laws or commandments. Usually with the.
(a) In plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > prescribed rule of conduct
wayOE
rulea1387
lorec1400
governailc1425
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) xxi. 353 Þæt synt soðlice Godes wegas: riht geleafa & gewiss hiht & fulfremed soð lufu.
OE King Ælfred tr. Psalms (Paris) (2001) xvii. 21 Ic heold Godes wegas, and his bebodu.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xxi. 14 The whiche seiden to God, Go awei fro vs; the kunnyng of thi weies [L. viarum] wee wiln not.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6858 I..sal hald yow lel mi hight, To-quils yee folu mi wais right.
1545 T. Paynell tr. St. Bernard Compend. Treat. Well Liuynge ii. f. v My ryght wel beloued syster tary for the lorde, and kepe his waies that is, kepe his commaundementes and he shal so exalte you, that ye shall haue heuen for your herytage.
1786 S. Told Acct. Life (new ed.) 166 I walked closely in the ways of God.
1810 A. N. Matthews tr. Mishcàt-ul-Maśábìh II. xii. 74 He who hath died, leaving in his will some part of his property to the poor, has died on the road of religion, and the ways of the Prophet of God, and righteously, and as a martyr.
1906 Christian Advocate 28 June 962/1 As king he commands his house to keep the ways of the Lord; as prophet he inculcates into the minds of his children the teachings of God's holy Word.
1965 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o River Between vii. 35 His house had a strong Christian foundation and he wanted his daughters to wax strong in faith and the ways of God.
1968 Harvard Law Rev. 81 1170 It is the dar al-Islam which, conforming to the ways of Allah, provides the ultimate and perfect society.
1995 Y. Ching Master Love & Mercy 113 A true Buddhist submits himself to only three elements: Buddha, the Ways of Buddha, and the Teachers of the Ways of Buddha.
(b) In singular. Sometimes spec. in the Way: (a name for) the Christian religion. Cf. sense A. 3b.The spec. sense arises from translations in Tyndale and most subsequent English Bibles of various passages in the Acts of the Apostles (see note in etymology).
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > sect > Christianity > [noun]
gospelc950
the WayOE
ChristendomOE
crossc1325
the faithc1384
Christianitya1400
Christenhoodc1443
Christ's professionc1475
Christianism1554
Xtianity1634
Christism1842
OE Andreas (1932) 170 Leode lærde on lifes weg.
OE Regularis Concordia (Tiber.) (1993) i. 1 Abbate..regiam catholicę fidei uiam demonstrante : abbude..cynelicne rihtes geleafan weg geswuteligendum.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) l. 58 Nes þer nan þet mahte..wrenchen hire mid al his crefti crokes ut of þe weie.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 235 (MED) Wrecchis..folowen not þis swete doctryn and þe riȝt way ȝouun of myn oonli soþfast sone, Ihesu Crist.
1534 Bible (Tyndale rev. Joye) Acts ix. 2 Saul..desyred of him letters to Damasco, to ye synagoges: that yf he founde eny of this waye, whether they were men or wemen, he myght bringe them bounde vnto Ierusalem.
1582 Bible (Rheims) Acts xix. 9 Il-speaking the way of the Lord before the multitude.
1730 H. Wharton Some Manifestations & Comms. of Spirit 167 Then every Spring of Light as it manifests itself is for use to teach the Way of God.
1781 R. Pulteney Gen. View Writings Linnæus xxxix. 634 She seemes not, to be, what she was before; but now beginnes to walke, with a new kind of puritie, in the way of our Lord.
1863 R. Young Holy Bible (ed. 2) Acts ix. 1 Saul..did ask from him letters to Damascus, unto the synagogues, that if he may find any being of the way, both men and women, he may bring them bound to Jerusalem.
1879 R. K. Douglas Confucianism iii. 72 The Sage..maintains a perfect uprightness and pursues the heavenly way without the slightest deflection.
1881 Bible (R.V.) Acts xxiii. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers.
1884 W. W. Rockhill tr. Life of Buddha vi. 199 These are what one must know as the eight branches of the way.
1941 A. C. Bouquet Compar. Relig. vii. 123 Primitive Buddhism, as distinct from institutional Buddhism, has even traces of a post-mortem tribunal by an adjudicator or controller who is called Dhamma-Raja, the Lord of the Way.
1987 Diem Thanh Truong & C. Melkonian tr. Sutra on Eight Realizations of Great Beings 5 He lives simply in order to practice the Way. His precepts keep him free of attachment to worldly things.
1998 P. W. Walaskay Acts iv. 94 Saul has asked the high priest for letters to the synagogues requesting their assistance in reporting those belonging to ‘the Way’—one of the names the early church took for itself.
2015 New Nation (Bangladesh) (Nexis) 22 June We should spend in the way of Allah, help the needy, struggle to the utmost to uphold Truth.
17.
a. A manner or style in which something is done or happens; a method of proceeding in any activity or operation.
†(a) In Old English in the genitive plural as complement of an indefinite pronoun, as gehwelce wega: in every manner or respect, anyway, anyhow, on wega gehwelcum (or gehwam): in all circumstances, by all means, at all times, always (cf. alway adv.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [noun]
wayeOE
costOE
wise971
gatec1175
custc1275
form1297
guise13..
mannerc1300
kindc1330
assizea1375
plighta1393
makea1400
fashionc1400
reason?c1400
method1526
voye1541
how1551
way1563
garb1600
quality1600
mould1603
quomodo1623
modus1648
mode1649
turn1825
road1855
gait1866
methodology1932
stylee1982
eOE Épinal Gloss. (1974) 44 Quacumque modo, gihuuuelci uuaega [eOE Erfurt Gloss. gihuelci uuegi, eOE Corpus Gloss. gehwelci wega].
OE Maxims I 144 Wel mon sceal wine healdan on wega gehwylcum.
OE Andreas (1932) 65 A ic symles wæs on wega gehwam willan þines georn on mode.
(b) In prepositional phrases with in modified by a determiner, possessive pronoun, or adjective, as in any way, in this way, in their way, in a similar way, etc.: in the specified manner.
ΚΠ
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 5526 He wold haue do beter, ȝif is witte in eny weiȝes wold him haue serued.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 395 If remedie of this wronging schulde be do in this wey.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 17 Lyghtnynge hys soule..with the spiritual vnderstondyng of hys wordes & that in tow wayes.
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. xxx. f. 357 Why did you let my Barke such fortune finde That safe to shore I came by any way?
1592 A. Fraunce 3rd Pt. Countesse of Pembrokes Yuychurch f. 57v Wee conducted them by such a way, that they saw but eight Sphæres.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 67 After dinner we rode in like way two miles, to the City Lowen.
1644 W. Prynne & C. Walker True Relation Prosecution N. Fiennes 11 Colonell Fiennes..in a sycophanticall way alleadged, that we suspected the integrity of that Court.
1671 I. Barrow Duty & Reward of Bounty 49 Other Sacrifices..did in their way propitiate God, and atone sin.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 372 A Church falling to be given in that way, the electors had a mind to choose me.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure I. 128 They were, in their way, making up to him.
1794 W. Godwin Caleb Williams III. i. 13 These men might be in some way assisting to me.
1830 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. (new ed.) xxiii. 565 In many other situations a bad conductor is of service in a similar way.
1879 O. N. Rood Mod. Chromatics iv. 50 Colours produced in this way are called ‘interference colours’.
1895 Law Times 99 546/1 Any practical suggestions pointing out in what way assistance may be rendered to students generally.
1910 Training Coll. Rec. Feb. 44 The Student Teacher system now adopted would seem a good compromise, but it is too early to pronounce judgment on it in any way.
1962 Lancet 2 June 1149/2 Urine from male patients was obtained in a similar way.
1977 J. March Adv. Org. Chem. (ed. 2) x. 344 Relatively good yields of α-hydroxy ketones may be prepared in this way.
2014 F1 Racing Mar. 37/3 Suddenly there's braking and G-forces to consider and components are tested in a different way.
(c) In other constructions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [noun]
wayeOE
costOE
wise971
gatec1175
custc1275
form1297
guise13..
mannerc1300
kindc1330
assizea1375
plighta1393
makea1400
fashionc1400
reason?c1400
method1526
voye1541
how1551
way1563
garb1600
quality1600
mould1603
quomodo1623
modus1648
mode1649
turn1825
road1855
gait1866
methodology1932
stylee1982
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [noun] > system or way of proceeding
i-wunec888
proceeding1425
trainc1475
way1563
procedure?1577
management1649
proceed1674
démarche1721
trade1721
procédé1861
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > habitual or characteristic
i-cundeeOE
manner?c1225
usagea1400
way1563
style1937
1563 T. Gale Certaine Wks. Chirurg. iv. To Rdr. sig. Aaaiiii The methode and way of composition of suche medicines.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry ii. f. 72 But are there more wayes then one of plantyng and setting?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 370 They say this Angelo was not made by Man and Woman, after this downe-right way of Creation. View more context for this quotation
1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 23 There is more ways of teaching then by preaching in a Pulpit.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 34 I have said enough of the Turks way of Eating, Drinking and Sleeping.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 124. ¶4 I may guess at their Characters by their Way of Writing.
1747 H. Glasse Art of Cookery i. 4 There are several Ways of making Sauce for a Pig.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1778 II. 241 [Johnson:] They should set him in the pillory, that he may be punished in a way that would disgrace him.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. xii. 193 O aye, sir, there's nae doubt of that, though there are mony idle clashes about the way and manner.
1878 T. Hardy Return of Native I. ii. ii. 248 Yet why, aunt, does everybody keep on making me think that I do, by the way they behave towards me?
1897 J. W. Clark Observ. Priory Barnwell Introd. 9 A few words on the way in which I was led to undertake the work.
1919 Outing June 183/1 There are several ways of drying a shell.
1952 M. R. Rinehart Swimming Pool (1953) xx. 170 It's no way to talk about a sister, but I've had about all I can take.
1972 L. Hudson Cult of Fact 76 To pursue knowledge in a way that is inimical to the proper growth of human self-awareness.
2007 Baltimore Sun 20 May c2/6 It's up to credit agencies initially to decide which way to contact them to temporarily lift a freeze.
†b. Literary style; method of literary composition. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > [noun]
writingc1350
mannerc1375
pena1387
langue?a1400
indite1501
rate1517
conveyance?1521
composition1532
turn1533
set1535
tune1537
style1577
composure1601
way1612
language1699
rhetoricity1921
1612 Mr. King tr. Benvenuto Passenger To Rdr. sig. ❧8 To preuent (so it be any wayes possible) all euill construction I might put into thee, I haue endeuoured in my speech and phrases, as the most pleasing and acceptable, to follow the more beaten stile and way [It. via], and which hath beene traced by the best Authors.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) sig. A3 In what we have done, we have bound our selves to the Authors way and method: and how much wee have added, the next Page shall tell you.
1632 J. Hayward in tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena Transl. to Rdr. sig. A4 The Authours peculiar way of imbellishing it..gained so much on the Italian humour, as it induced divers of that Nobility to procure him to second it..with another Tome.
a1639 H. Wotton Philos. Surv. Educ. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 334 And this is enough for the disclosing of a good Capacity in the popular way; which I have followed, because the Subject is generall.
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love Pref. I admire and applaud him where I ought: those who do more do but value themselves in their admiration of him: and, by telling you they extoll Ben. Johnson's way, would insinuate to you that they can practice it.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 641 Five Sermons in five several stiles or waies of preaching. The first in Bishop Andrews way... The second in B. Halls way.
1737 J. Ozell tr. F. Rabelais Wks. IV. p. xxiii This may be the Relation of some of the Montluc's Adventures, burlesqu'd after our Author's Way.
c. Alchemy, Chemistry, and Mineralogy. With distinguishing word: a process or method (of preparation, analysis, etc.) characterized by the presence or absence of a solvent (typically water or acid), as dry way, †humid way, †moist way, wet way. Now chiefly historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > [phrase] > process distinguished by
way1651
the world > matter > chemistry > chemical tests > [noun] > types > by method
dry way1651
suck it and see1951
modulation1964
1651 J. French tr. J. R. Glauber Descr. New Philos. Furnaces iv. 259 Therefore there is no doubt of the possibility of the metallick tingent spirit changing courser metals into finer both by a dry and moist way [L. tam sicca quam humida via].
1675 G. Thomson Ορθο-μέθοδος ἰατρο-χυμικὴ: Direct Method curing Chymically xiii. 111 In a Humid way the Sulphur of [Antimonie] is extracted by penetrative Corpuscles of divers Corrosive Liquors.
1786 Crit. Rev. 62 461 Of earthy bodies formed in the moist way, flint is first mentioned.
1796 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) II. 395 In the Dry way, it may be essayed when pulverized.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 373 Iodine does not act sensibly in the humid way.
1874 Chem. News 6 Feb. 72/1 The preparation of kermes in the moist way can only be effected with carbonate of soda.
1920 F. W. Clarke Data Geochem. (ed. 4) 354 All the foregoing experiments relate to the production of quartz and tridymite in the wet way, but dry methods have also been successfully employed.
1994 R. Laudan From Mineral. to Geol. iii. 61 Chemists and mineralogists gradually shifted to an almost exclusive use of the ‘wet way’, refining techniques for investigating the interactions of acids, bases, and salts in solution.
2009 R. E. Cox Elixir Immortality i. 35 The Dry Way is called ‘dry’ because it does not involve wet chemistry, or the use of acids. It does, however, require the use of antimony.
d. Scottish. A person's version or account of events. Usually in by (also in, to, with) his (their, etc.) way of it: according to him (them, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > conformity to or with a pattern, etc. > in conformity with or according to [phrase] > a person's statements
by (also in, to, with) his (their, etc.) way of it1819
1819 T. Chalmers Serm. Tron Church x. 279 They strive, by a misunderstood gospel, or without the gospel altogether, to reach a peace and a preparation which we fear, in their way of it, is to sinners utterly unattainable.
1861 C. Reade Cloister & Hearth IV. xx. 207 Who was the letter written by? Oh, by the demoiselle Van Eyck. That was his way of it. But I up and told him nay; 'twas neither demoiselle nor dame that penned yon lie.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Master of Ballantrae ii. 22 Onyway he was a great hand by his way of it, and he up and rebukit the Master for some of his on-goings.
1895 A. S. Swan Gates of Eden xvii I really cannot speak with any certainty, for nobody seems to know the right way of it.
1921 J. Ferguson Dark Geraldine viii. 152 We're a' fools by their way of it. Och, ay, as ye see, I read for diversion before going to ma' bed.
1939 Scotsman 24 Oct. 9/3 Mooning around Arthur Seat..his thoughts were, to his way of it, far loftier.
1970 in Sc. National Dict. at Wey n.1 He's rinnin the hail show, by her wey o't.
2009 B. J. Haveland tr. J. Kjærstad Discoverer 103 Voyager..befits a boat which, by their way of it, is going on a voyage of discovery.
18.
a. A course of action; (sometimes) spec. one proposed or taken as an approach to a particular problem or with a particular objective in mind. Also in to go the wrong (also right, etc.) way to work: to take the wrong (right, etc.) course of action.A figurative extension of sense A. 7a, distinguished from sense A. 7b in that the idea of travelling is absent or greatly weakened; some examples are difficult to place in one sense rather than the other, e.g. quot. 1616. In examples where the sense of an objective is strong, overlapping with sense A. 19a (see, e.g., quot. 1539).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > (a) course of conduct or action
wayeOE
pathOE
waya1225
tracea1300
line13..
dancea1352
tenor1398
featc1420
faction1447
rink?a1500
footpath1535
trade1536
vein1549
tract1575
course1582
road1600
country dance1613
track1638
steeragea1641
rhumb1666
tack1675
conduct1706
walk1755
wheel-way1829
a1225 (c1200) Vices & Virtues (1888) 17 (MED) He wile hes habben wel imotet, and bi rihte wæiȝe wel i-wæiȝen, and wel imered gold.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 54 Swa þe feont vnder stont anan richt hire wacnesse. & ifond wei towart hire forlorennesse.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. l. 17 I wolde go the middel weie And wryte a bok betwen the tweie, Somwhat of lust, somewhat of lore.
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 94v, in Middle Eng. Dict. at Wei It is euermore good forto holde þe hie weie.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxxviii. sig. Ui I thinke this is a better waye than all to fyght at ones.
1539 in W. A. J. Archbold Somerset Relig. Houses (1892) 75 Albeyt we have vsed as many wayes with her as our poore wittes cowde atteyne, yet in the ende we cowde not..bring her to any conformytie.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxvi Theyr Archebysshop Herman, hathe gon a new waye to worke [L. iniisse novam rationem].
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xxii. sig. Dd2v He durst not take open way against them: and as harde it was to take a secrete.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 37 My best way is to creepe vnder his Gaberdine. View more context for this quotation
1616 T. Draxe Bibliotheca Scholastica 2 He goeth the wrong way to worke, or to the wood.
1656 A. Cowley Davideis i. 36 (note) in Poems There is so much to be said of this subject, that the best way is to say nothing of it.
1693 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §39 The sooner this Way is begun with Children, the easier it will be for them, and their Governors too.
1712 T. Uvedale tr. P. de Commynes Mem. I. v. viii. 446 It was the Opinion of most of 'em that his best way would be to retire to Pont-a-Mousson.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lxii. 278 He told me, that I went the wrong way to work.
1771 A. Young Farmer's Tour E. Eng. III. xxviii. 352 I am confident, they cannot go the right way to work in keeping so much in grass, and growing so few turnips.
1835 B. Gilpin Let. Dec. in Memorials (1874) 251 On many occasions our best way will be to keep silence before men, and secretly thus look up to God.
1922 C. K. Scott-Moncrieff tr. M. Proust Swann's Way I. 277 I believe we are going the wrong way to work when we depreciate anything we offer the Doctor.
1965 Times 9 Oct. 11/5 Cleric and cricket have indeed always been close, but cricket is now going the right way to work to drive an insuperable barrier between the two.
1986 N.Y. Times 13 Nov. d25/2 All are interested in corporate growth, and start-ups or acquisitions are popular ways to go.
b. With possessive pronoun. One's preferred course of action or events; one's desired outcome.
(a) to have (also get, take) one's (own) way: to succeed in following or enforcing on others the course of action on which one is resolved; to get what one wants in spite of opposition; to do as one wishes. Cf. Phrases 1b(h), Phrases 1b(e)(i).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > wish or be disposed or inclined [verb] > do as one wishes
to have (also get, take) one's (own) way1549
to take one's willc1565
to have everything one's own way1653
to have it all one's own way1653
to do one's (own) thing1841
suit yourself1860
1549 R. Crowley Psalter of Dauid cxxix. sig. Oo.ivv Ryght ofte they haue fought against me from my yougth (may he saye) Yet agaynst me could they neuer, preuayle ne haue theyr waye.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Thomas of Wudstocke f. ixv In that ye be Lyeges learne to obaye, Submytting your wylles to your princes lawes, It sytteth not a subiecte to haue his owne waye.
1611 B. Jonson Catiline iv. sig. K4 Had I had my way, He' had mew'd in flames, at home, not i' the Senate. View more context for this quotation
1659 M. Nedham Interest will not Lie 18 Their Transcendentals, which render them unpleasant to the Civil power, and to dissenting parties, and would, if they might have their way, prove as dangerous as any.
1747 S. Richardson Clarissa I. xxi. 146 Obstinate, perverse, undutiful Clarissa!..then take your own way, and go up!
1782 F. Burney Cecilia II. iv. x. 252 I have had..much ado to make him mind me; for he's all for having his own way.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 298 Every child knew that his majesty loved to have his own way and could not bear to be thwarted.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Grandmother xviii, in Enoch Arden, etc. 123 Kind, like a man, was he; like a man, too, would have his way.
1885 Manch. Examiner 8 June 4/7 If they do not get their own way they will resign.
1940 W. S. Churchill Into Battle (1941) 296 All Europe, if he [sc. Hitler] has his way, will be reduced to one uniform Boche-land.
a1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1975) I. 149 There was a good deal of bleating, but I got my way.
1990 A. Stevens On Jung iii. 33 A tyrannical father, who insisted always on having his own way, and made terrifying scenes whenever he was thwarted.
2007 L. Lippman What Dead Know xix. 164 He would have diagnosed her a rich bitch, or a daddy's girl at the very least, someone used to getting her way.
(b) With verbs expressing desire, as to like (want, etc.) one's (own) way.
ΚΠ
1578 T. Lupton All for Money sig. A.iiiiv Such as loue them selues, and loue their owne wayes best, Must needes be flattered therein, and then they be at rest.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 238 Hee was of an High Mind, and loued his owne Will, and his owne Way.
1757 J. Serenius Eng. & Swedish Dict. (ed. 2) at Fond They are both fond of their own way, de tycka hwar om sit wis.
1779 Mirror No. 25 My wife, formerly a decent discreet woman, who liked her own way, indeed, but was a notable manager.
1873 M. Oliphant Innocent III. 310 You are..silly, pig-headed, unreasonable, and more fond of your own way than of anything else in the world.
1900 I. M. Beard My Own Life (ed. 8) i. 12 Another misunderstanding followed, on account of John's being of a very jealous disposition and always wanting his own way about everything.
1975 Jackie 15 Feb. 4/4 Everyone knows a Leo likes her own way, but it would be nice to smile and give in gracefully this time.
2007 N.Y. Mag. 11 June 24 I wanted my way as far as D's [sc. my daughter's] TV watching was concerned.
2011 I. Johansen Bonnie (2012) vi. 116 You like your way too much, and I never remember you not trying to take it.
†c. The best or most advisable course of action. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > (a) course of conduct or action > (one's) best course
way1575
1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle ii. i. sig. Biii Yea in good faith, that is the waye.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 78 I thinke it is our way, If we will keepe in fauour with the King, To be her men and weare her liuery. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) ii. iii. 377 And bring him iumpe, when he may Cassio finde, Soliciting his wife: I, that's the way . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iii. 92 My way is now to hie home to his house, And tell his wife, that [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 65 When the Engagement proves thus unlucky, the way is to Draw off by Degrees.
1796 R. Bage Hermsprong III. xi. 101 There's nothing like one girl to drive out another. Love the whole sex, my buck; that's the way.
1806 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 23 Aug. 269 This is their constant course; but the way is to pin them down to this alternative.
19.
a. A method, means, or course of action by which a particular task can be accomplished or result brought about. Frequently with of and gerund, or to followed by infinitive or noun.Quot. 1708 could be interpreted with the specific meaning ‘mode of transport’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > course adopted to achieve an end
waya1225
wonec1290
mean waya1425
policyc1430
method1526
politicsa1529
politic1588
game1595
dent1597
efficacy1690
tactics1772
tactic1791
strategy1834
game plan1957
society > travel > transport > [noun] > mode of transport
way1708
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 49 Þet we maȝen mid ure muðe bringen us ut of þisse putte..and þet þurh þreo herde weies þe þus beoð ihaten: Cordis contricione, Oris confessione, Operis satisfactione.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iv. l. 2447 (MED) Saturnus..fond the weie..to coigne the moneie Of sondri metall.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 477 (MED) To enhaunce þin honour to þe heuene..I haue a weye espied.
a1450 (?1404) in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 15 (MED) By al way make hym þi frende.
c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie (Cambr.) (1977) 157 (MED) Inquyre if he be acustomed to vse in his werkynges cautelous and couert weyes.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. li For after yt tyme there were an hundred wayes practised and inuented how at one time or another, to deliuer or conuey them out of pryson.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Bvi Whye should not I..Haue benifices two or thre? Sence thou hast taught me the way how I may kepe them and blamlesse be?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. iii. 10 Thou teachest like a foole: the way to lose him. View more context for this quotation
1624 J. Donne Deuotions x. 229 Those are the greatest mischifs, which are least discerned; the most insensible in their wayes come to bee the most sensible in their ends.
1668 R. Steele Husbandmans Calling (1672) v. 96 The way to have full barns, is to have free hands.
1708 in W. Mure Select. Family Papers Caldwell (1854) I. 214 I have inquired what way my goods may safeliest be sent, and am told that by Holstein ships.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 26 They took ways..to satisfy us.
1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison I. ii. 5 And tho' he finds a way, by his sister..to let Miss Byron know his passion.
1844 Ld. Brougham Albert Lunel II. vi. 176 Against England he is implacable, and..the only way to ruffle his temper is to praise her.
1892 Speaker 3 Sept. 292/2 Mr. Huxley..can see but one way of arriving at truth; which he calls experience.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 125/2 The only sure way is to exclude the spores from the bread itself, and that means excluding the air.
1996 F. Popcorn & L. Marigold Clicking ii. 48 You can..figure out a way to do things better, faster, friendlier, more satisfying to the consumer.
2012 Church Times 21 Dec. 15/4 Myth was a pre-religious way of making sense of the world.
b. In collocation with mean n.3 3a(a), esp. in means and ways and, most commonly, way and means (see ways and means n.). In early use also in similar collocations with other nouns, as †ways and crafts, †ways and grounds, etc., and with related adjectives, as mean way (see mean adj.2 4), way moyen (see moyen adj. 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > ways and means
ways and groundsc1400
ways and means1433
way and meanc1475
c1400 Bk. to Mother (Bodl.) 111 (MED) What..is more opene folie..þan..bisiliche trauele wiþ gretter cost to knowe oþer weies and craftis to gete wiþ richesses and worldli worschepes?
a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4844 Where they ne may Fynde none other mene wey [Fr. ou nus ne set le moien querre].
1431 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Jan. 1431 §27. m. 5 Upon grete subtilite..and colored menes and weyes.
1455–6 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. July 1455 §37. m. 21 So the weyes and groundes may be founde and hadde for paiement.
1470 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) I. 116 Our Traitours..which daily labour þe weyes moyens at þeir power of our final destruccion.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxxxij This is the onely meane and waye, that is euermore certayne & sure.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer ii. sig. Aa.i Ech honest louer..vseth so manie meanes and wayes to please the woman whom he loueth.
1654 T. Blount Acad. Eloquence 158 So Madam (I hope) will both your wisdom and vertue endeavour; and this by solid grounds and ways, without which the rest will be labour in vain.
a1692 ( in J. Stevenson Lett. & Papers Illustr. Wars Eng. in France (1864) II. 444 (MED) The saide duc might not godely have founden the moyens and the weyes [c1503 Arnold's Chron. founde meanes nor weies] to have communed to geder, to conclude thaire confedracy.
1766 R. Rogers Ponteach iv. i. 69 I am content if you but please yourselves By Means and Ways not hurtful to the Public.
1824 A. Burton Ess. First Princ. Metaphysicks, Ethicks, & Theol. xix. 158 The heart of Paul employed his intellectual powers, before his conversion, in devising means and ways to eradicate the christian religion from the earth.
1870 Punch 16 Apr. 153/1 'Mongst ways and means conceivable there is a mean and way.
1920 E. Farjeon Gypsy & Ginger 21 He meant that he had found a Way and a Mean in which he and Ginger could work tandem and keep house together.
2000 R. Jackson Global Covenant (2003) 38 These are only a few of the almost endless means and ways that statespeople find to communicate with each other on matters of common interest or concern.
20. In prepositional phrases with in.
a. A particular state or condition, esp. (in early use) one which is likely to lead to success or prosperity, or (later) one of illness, difficulty, or distress. Usually with modifying adjective describing the state or condition, esp. in in a good way, in a bad way.See also to be in a fair way to (do something) at fair adj. and n.1 Phrases 1e(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > [noun] > good or bad condition or order
point?c1225
plighta1375
waya1400
ply1443
ploy1477
abyss1548
order1569
kilter1582
trim1628
tilter1674
fettle?1748
kidney1763
fix1816
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 11436 (MED) Þe mo prestes þat for þe prey, þe sunner art þou yn gode wey.
1467 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 532 Wer-by I vndy[r]stand,..all thyng standyth in good wey.
?1511 Treat. Joseph of Armathy (de Worde) sig. Av He..set his realme & his housholde in good waye..& toke his Iourney.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. 210 I am in a good way for salvation.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions p. xviii Timber sufficient for the use of the Navy Royal had now been in a forward way to its sufficient growth.
1698 J. Collier Short View Immorality Eng. Stage 211 When ever you see a thorough Libertine, you may almost swear he is in a rising way, and that the Poet intends to make him a great Man.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World xi. 347 People in such a forlorn way, are apt to form innumerable apprehensions.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxvii. 354 So having congratulated their hopeful Way, and wished them to take care of themselves [etc.].
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. lxxvi. 254 Let me tell thee, in characters still, that I am in a dreadful way just now. My brain is all boiling like a caldron over a fiery furnace. What a devil is the matter with me, I wonder!
1771 L. Washington Let. 12 May in G. Washington Papers (1993) VIII. 468 Our Mill is once more in a bad way, the Wall between the water Pit & Cog pit, is falling down.
1809 W. Windham Let. 23 July in Speeches Parl. (1812) I. 109 But one of the poor men who were hurt at the fire is dead, and another of them is, I fear, in a bad way.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) (at cited word) ‘To be in a hinging way,’ neither well nor ill.
1871 S. Smiles Character i. 26 The nation that has no higher god than pleasure, or even dollars or calico, must needs be in a poor way.
1922 J. Thurber Let. Sept. (2002) 89 He has been in a bad way since last winter and is variously reported as hopeless.
1980 J. Aiken Touch of Chill 125 She didn't come out of it for ever so long, and Aunt Sarah was in a terrible way over it.
2008 S. Toltz Fraction of Whole i. 4 The people here are all in a bad way.
b. With reference to specific conditions, without modifying adjective (or, in sense A. 20b(c), with optional intensifying adjective).
†(a) to be in way with: to be in negotiations with. to put in a way: to set in train. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > make an agreement with [verb (transitive)] > negotiate > negotiate with
to be in way with1480
article1594
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > begin or open (an action or proceeding)
set?c1450
open1471
forward1598
initiate1604
to put in a way1624
to lead off1817
1480 G. Cely Let. 16 Nov. in Cely Lett. (1975) 98 I am in whay wyth Gyshbryght Van Whennysbarge ffor an ij of yowr sarpleris: Y hope Y shall go thorow wyth hym.
1624 in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1913) Jan. 129 When he hath put the business in a way, then he [the Secretary] is to go back and take his own place.
1731 N. Tindal tr. P. Rapin de Thoyras Hist. Eng. XIV. xxiii. 218 The Yeas had a Majority of Seventy-nine... This Affair being put in a way, the Commons proceeded [etc.].
(b) in the (also that) way: pregnant. Also occasionally in a way. Cf. earlier in the (also a) family way at family n. and adj. Phrases 3b. to put in the way: to make pregnant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > pregnancy or gestation > [adjective]
greatc1175
with childc1175
with childc1300
baggeda1400
bounda1400
pregnant?a1425
quicka1450
greaterc1480
heavyc1480
teeming1530
great-bellied1533
big1535
boundenc1540
impregnate1540
great-wombeda1550
young with child1566
gravid1598
pregnate1598
pagled1599
enceinte1602
child-great1605
conceived1637
big-bellieda1646
brooding1667
in the (also a) family way1688
in the (also that) way1741
undelivered1799
ensient1818
enwombeda1822
in a delicate condition1827
gestant1851
in pod1890
up the (also a) pole1918
in a particular condition1922
preg?1927
in the spud line1937
up the spout1937
preggy1938
up the stick1941
preggers1942
in pig1945
primigravid1949
preggo1951
in a certain condition1958
gestating1961
up the creek1961
in the (pudding) cluba1966
gravidated-
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > fecundation or impregnation > [verb (transitive)]
geta1375
to beget with childa1393
impregn?c1550
season1555
enwomb1590
knock1598
with-child1605
fill1607
fertilitate1638
ingravidate1642
impregnate1646
improlificate1646
prolificate1650
pregnant1660
pregnate1686
fecundate1721
fecundify1736
to knock up1813
to put in the family way1898
inseminate1923
to get or put (someone) in the (pudding) club1936
stork1936
to put in the way1960
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxii. 228 [She] told me..that the Way I was in, made her love me better and better.
1817 J. Austen Let. 23 Mar. (1995) 337 Mrs Clement too is in that way again. I am quite tired of so many Children.
1831 Mrs. Arbuthnot Let. 18 Feb. in C. Arbuthnot Corr. (1941) 140 Young Ly. C. is not in a way; the old housekeeper wrote to her something about it, & she wrote back word, ‘God's will be done.’
1867 Queen Victoria Let. 25 Oct. in Your Dear Letter (1971) 155 Dearest child, why did you not tell me, your own mother, when you first began being in that way?
1906 W. M. Rossetti Some Reminisc. I. v. 49 And would ye belave it, Mr. Wood, she's in that way again!
1960 Pick of Today's Short Stories XI. 215 They'd both eloped... ‘I'll bet he put her in the way’.
1980 J. Rose Elizabeth Fry iii. 44 She suspected herself of being pregnant, ‘in the way’ as she called it.
(c) colloquial (chiefly regional). to be in a way: to be in an agitated, anxious, or distressed condition. Cf. state n. 2d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > be upset or perturbed [verb (intransitive)]
sweata1400
ail1485
toss1517
heavec1540
seethe1609
to be in a way1855
stew1917
1855 Mag. for Young 14 131 She keeps on crying out for her mamma..and she is in such a way as I never saw.
1869 A. Macdonald Love, Law & Theol. xvi. 313 But they say she's in a dreedfu' wey..She's never yet heerd frae her man [etc.].
1873 J. Spilling Molly Miggs 81 Well, there, I was in a way.
1883 F. M. Peard Contradictions xxvi Mother's in a fine way.
1896 G. Chanter Witch of Withyford iv. 45 I suppose her was in a proper way about it and fell to crying.
1911 D. H. Lawrence White Peacock i. v. 69 Dear me, you are in a way!
1955 ‘P. Wentworth’ Poison in Pen xxxvi. 262 Maggie was in a way about her blouse not being right, and Doris had been there and fitted it.
2013 J. Mantooth Year of Storm xii. 112 On the day she disappeared..there were no silly games. She was in a way, as Mom liked to call it. She'd woken with bad dreams.
21. An aspect of something; a detail, a feature, a point; a respect or particular in which things can be judged or compared. Usually in adverbial phrases, as in all ways, in some ways, in any way, in one way, in more ways than one, etc. (sometimes also with in omitted).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > cause or reason > [phrase] > for several reasons
in more ways than one1480
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > specifically [phrase] > in detail > in any point or particular
in any way1480
1480 Higden's Discripcion Brit. (Caxton) xv Othir scolemaiestrs..leue all frenssh in scoles & vse alle construction in englissh, wherin they haue auantage one way that is that they lerne the sonner their gramer And in anothir disauauntage, for now they lerne no frenssh ne can none.
1554 D. Lindsay Dialog Experience & Courteour Ep. sig. A4v And geue thay be, in ony way offendit Declare to thame, it salbe weill amendit.
a1600 R. Hooker Wks. (1836) III. 796 That justice exacteth punishment for offending, even after their offences be forgiven them, there is, as it seemeth, proof sufficient more ways than one.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 12 His worst fault is, that he is giuen to prayer; hee is something peeuish that way . View more context for this quotation
a1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1900) 38/13 Also we make them differ in Colour, Shape, Activity, many wayes.
1631 B. Jonson New Inne iv. iv. 58 The office of a man Thats truly valiant, is considerable Three wayes: The first is in respect of matter..; in respect of forme..; And in the end [etc.].
1750 S. Richardson Lett. Particular Friends (ed. 4) xi. 24 It will be a Credit to you more ways than one.
1816 Edinb. Rev. Dec. 464 The foreign Commissioners had not yet reached St Helena, whose presence in the island may justly have alarmed Sir Hudson, in more ways than one, for the safety of his prisoner.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Valerie's Fate v May you find a companion better in all ways than I could have been!
1893 R. Le Gallienne Retrosp. Rev. (1896) II. 21 A teetotaler, however admirable in other ways, is not the fit person to edit Burns.
1922 Jrnl. Washington Acad. Sci. 12 159 In other ways, it may introduce into the physical scheme of concepts, artifactual terms and relationships, which have the same irrelevancy to the real.
1952 M. R. Rinehart Swimming Pool xiv. 129 It's a dead end, in more ways than one.
1989 J. Aiken Blackground ii. 57 I will not have anybody here who has been in any way connected with drug abuse.
2001 O. Sacks Uncle Tungsten xvi. 196 Thallium..was in some ways similar to lead, in others to silver, in others to aluminum, and in yet others to potassium.
22.
a. The customary or accepted manner of acting or behaving; the typical manner in which things happen or are done. Cf. the way of the world at Phrases 4i(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > usual course, condition, etc. > the usual or ordinary way or procedure
coursec1325
highway1550
way1556
the common (also general, usual) road1607
the beaten track1638
run1688
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie lxxxviii. sig. Nn iii Their waie is to praie: Unto the great god.
1586 tr. J. F. Salvart Harmony Confessions Faith 3 We speake of the vsuall waie of instructing men, deliuered vnto vs of God.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. i. 156 Why shold we (good Lady) Vpon what cause wrong you? Alas, our Places, The way of our Profession is against it. View more context for this quotation
a1688 J. Bunyan Expos. Gen. iv. 15 in Wks. (1736) I. 35/2 Which words [sc. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain] are an allusion to the way of the Magistrate in their dealing with Rogues and Felons.
1737 S. Berington Mem. G. di Lucca 259 I have seen thousands of..[pigs] sent in presents to the other parts of the kingdom, where they have none; which is their way in all their recreations.
1830 tr. R. Caillié Trav. to Timbuctoo I. 94 I tried in vain to discover the origin of this whimsical custom; the only answer I could obtain was, ‘It is our way’.
1839 W. M. Thackeray Fatal Boots Jan. Living with dukes and peeresses, and writing my recollections of them, as the way now is.
1927 J. Devanny Old Savage 30 They jossed him in the usual way about his proverbial amours.
1963 J. A. Hostetler Amish Society ii. vii. 150 The old way of spending time together was for a boy and girl to lie on the bed fully clad.
2010 Independent 30 Dec. 44/1 It is the modern way of politics and sport.
b. A person's characteristic or habitual manner of behaviour, expression, etc.With quots. 1709, 1998, compare (only) Pretty Fanny's way at sense A. 22c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > a habit or practice > characteristic
qualitya1400
trick1576
way1671
knack1674
ways?1687
Pretty Fanny's waya1718
shtick1948
1671 E. Howard Six Days Adventure i. 12 'Tis his way, 'tis his way; tho 'I am asham'd that a man Of his age, should have a disposition so antipathiz'd To mine.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 6. ⁋1 She is so well known to have no Passion, but Self-love; or Folly, but Affectation; that now upon any Occasion, they only cry, 'Tis her Way, and, That's so like her, without further Reflection.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 90. ¶7 I was, after my Way, in Love with both of them.
1779 Mirror No. 25 I was about to be angry; but on such occasions it is not my way to say much.
1779 Mirror No. 47. ⁋4 He often indulges in jokes..which could not be heard without a blush from any other person; but from Tom, for his way is known, they are heard without offence.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. vi. 50 I ought to have begun with a word of explanation, but it's my way to make short cuts at things.
1871 J. R. Lowell Pope in Writings (1890) IV. 15 Dryden, in his rough-and-ready way, has hinted at this in his verses to Congreve.
1924 G. Garrett Satan's Bushel ix. 154 It was their way to live without impedimenta of any sort.
1998 S. Waters Tipping Velvet ix. 213 Don't you pay no mind to her if she starts being silly on you. It's just her way.
c. (only) Pretty Fanny's way: behaviour characteristic or expected of a person. Used esp. to express tolerance of an annoying habit or tendency of a friend or acquaintance. Cf. sense A. 22b. Now rare.Apparently with allusion to quot. a1718.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > a habit or practice > characteristic
qualitya1400
trick1576
way1671
knack1674
ways?1687
Pretty Fanny's waya1718
shtick1948
a1718 T. Parnell Poems Several Occasions (1721) 130 And all that's madly wild, or oddly gay, We call it only pretty Fanny's way.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well I. i. 26 The exuberant frolics of Meg's temper, which were to them only ‘pretty Fanny's way’.
1832 N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 94 Boswell..excuses it as ‘pretty Fanny's way’.
1893 Atlantic Monthly July 54/2 That is nothing to what the losing party always says, though without rushing to print, in such days of excitement as follow a contested election. It is pretty Fanny's way.
1903 M. Gray Richard Rosny xxxiv. 402 That little huffiness was but the tender fierceness of the dove, pretty Fanny's way.
1953 Times of India 3 Jan. 6/5 In Churchillian days the fount of political honours does not trickle; it spouts... Well, that is pretty Fanny's way.
23. In plural.
a. The shared customs, manners, and practices of a community or social group; the customary or conventional modes of behaviour in a particular society, period, etc. Cf. the ways of the world at Phrases 4i(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > customs, values, and civilization > customs, values, or beliefs of a society or group > [noun]
moursc1250
manners?a1425
way of living1516
fashions1555
way of lifea1616
ways1628
customary1796
moeurs1854
culture1860
mores1898
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > a habit or practice > collectively
gearsc1200
ways1628
practicals1640
1628 W. Prynne Healthes: Sicknesse 15 Not to imitate the customes, fashions, ordinances, rudiments, traditions, or ceremonies of the World, or of the Heathen, Gentiles, or Worldly men: not to learne their wayes nor customes.
1697 tr. L. D. Le Comte Mem. Journey China i. 208 Every Age hath its ways, answered Confucius, in my Grandfather's time Princes and Officers were polisht; they delighted in order, every one kept his Station.
1783 J. Barry Acct. Series Pictures at Adelphi 184 An honest, plain man, who at distance from this great metropolis, and unskilled in its ways, naturally concluded, that his son was the most worthless of all our artists.
1814 Lady Morgan O'Donnel II. ix. 244 Myself didn't care to be answering them, in respect of not knowing the ways of the place.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 46 We judge a stranger by our home-bred ways, Who, maybe, walks by other rule of right.
1893 F. T. Richards in H. D. Traill Social Eng. i. 10 Contending parties among the barbarians looked for Roman support, courted it by assuming Roman ways, and invited Roman interference.
1913 W. Wilson New Freedom vi. 119 There are those, of course, who are wedded to the old ways.
1948 D. Cooper Diary 7 May (2005) 464 He knows how to run a house and he knows our ways. He has agreed to come back to us and to find us a good cook.
2006 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 5 Apr. e5/1 Better yet, its creator..offered to apprentice me in the ways of the operating-system.
b. A person's characteristic habits or manners. Cf. sense A. 22b.Apparently arising from a weakening of the ethical context implicit in sense A. 16b into a more customary one; early examples often still imply a degree of moral judgement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > a habit or practice > characteristic
qualitya1400
trick1576
way1671
knack1674
ways?1687
Pretty Fanny's waya1718
shtick1948
?1687 Hasty Damosel (single sheet) True, I might have had a Taylor,but I did not like his ways.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xxi. 128 The free dislike I expressed to his ways, his manners, and his contrivances.
1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Family II. 269 Henry gone! without our knowing any thing about the letter; and all by your slow ways!
1857 G. A. Lawrence Guy Livingstone vi She had the ways of a child petted all its life through.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 79 He settled near us In the next glen, and lived a sumptuous life, Costly, luxurious, though his ways were coarse.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 217 The teacher may observe slow action, wandering eyes, twitchings, awkward ways, or stooping.
1909 Daily News 19 July 11 A veritable little tomtit of a man in his jerky little ways and lively good humour.
1981 E. Jolley Newspaper Claremont St. (1987) xii. 92 Victor's ways were beyond her understanding.
2002 S. Waters Fingersmith iv. 105 She had her finicking ways, all right; but they were slight enough, it didn't hurt me to indulge them.
c. An animal's usual patterns of behaviour; (in early use) spec. †the movements and other behaviour in which a horse has been trained (obsolete). Later also of a plant or other object: characteristic tendencies in development or in interaction within an environment or other larger system.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [noun] > a habit or practice > collectively > specifically of animals or plants
mannersc1400
ways1706
habit1774
1706 London Gaz. No. 4285/8 Stolen or strayed.., a roan Mare.., all her Ways, except Pacing.
1776 J. Mills Treat. Cattle vii. i. 393 The defects of it's [sc. the hog's] figure seem to influence it's dispositions: all it's ways are gross, all it's inclinations are filthy, and all it's sensations concentrate in a furious lust.
1838 New Sporting Mag. July 18 Them as knew the horse's ways, thought it jist as wundherful to see him houldin up his leg.
1895 W. Robinson Eng. Flower Garden (ed. 4) ix. 131 All such trees have their own ways and wants.
1899 W. T. Greene Cage-birds 68 The Red-sided Tit is nearly akin to the Liothrix, which it resembles in many of its ways.
1918 Times Lit. Suppl. 14 Mar. 122/3 Each of our nerves has a nature of its own and ways of its own.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) I. xiii. 348 The black termite of Ceylon resembles the black wood-ant in colour, in many of its ways, in its nest in a hollow tree, and even in its smell.
1996 Vegetarian Times Feb. 70/2 Two electronic Eco-Adventures..teach the ways of animals by sending children on a photographic assignment.
d. Aspects of a person's manner or demeanour which lend him or her a persuasive or alluring charm. Frequently with the suggestion that the person's behaviour is ingratiating or manipulative. Chiefly with modifying word. Cf. to have a way with one at Phrases 1b(d).
ΚΠ
1732 T. Chaloner Merriest Poet Christendom 65 He had such pretty tempting Ways.
1810 G. Crabbe Borough xv. 203 Arch was her Look, and she had pleasant ways.
1848 F. M. Trollope Town & Country II. xv. 250 I will do so forthwith..in despite of Mary, and all her beguiling ways.
1877 C. Patmore Unknown Eros xv. 63 It was not like your great and gracious ways!
1905 E. Harwood Notable Pictures in Florence 298 His seductive ways enabled him to overcome many difficulties.
1913 M. Sinclair Combined Maze xii. 119 She had ways with her which made it no wonder if Ranny lost his head. In Winny's opinion the man didn't live who could resist Violet and her ways.
2001 C. Mór King of Sleep (2002) 337 Well you're not the first young male to fall for her subtle ways.
†24. A particular form of church government or polity. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > [noun] > specific form of
statea1387
discipline1536
platform1572
way1641
1641 W. K. in T. Goodwin Glimpse of Sions Glory Ep. to Rdr. sig. ¶ Christ hath given this Power to his Church, not to a Hierarchy, neither to a Nationall Presbytery, but to a company of Saints in a Congregationall way.
1648 J. Cotton Way Congregational Churches i. iii. 11 Nor is Independency a fit name of the way of our Churches.
1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 145 The Episcopall Party are far more confirmed in their way by it.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 449 From our own Divines I may next proceed to some learned Foreigners, of the Lutheran way.
1750 J. Edwards Wks. (1834) I. xvii. p. clxiii/1 The presbyterian way has ever appeared to me most agreeable to the word of God and the reason and nature of things.
a1761 A. Ellys Tracts on Liberty (1763) I. iii. 150 If there must be some establishment of religion, it is as certain that one in the episcopal way is both more agreeable to the practice of the primitive Christian church, and more suitable to the civil constitution of this realm, than any Presbyterian model could be.
25.
a. An area or branch of business or work; a person's occupation, profession, or trade. Frequently more fully way of business. Cf. Phrases 7h(a)(ii), Phrases 4d(b). Now chiefly formal (in legal contexts).See also Phrases 2e(i).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession > line of business or work
line1638
way1642
lay1707
walk1715
slang1789
métier1792
Fach1838
lark1934
line of work1957
1642 Life & Death Collonell Harwood in E. Harwood Advice sig. Bv His closset thoughts were open to my Noble friend, from whom that Noble Prince got no smale advantage in his military way.
1679 L. Addison Life & Death Mahumed iii. 16 In this way of business he continued till he was 25 years of age; at which time his Master dyed.
1690 J. Norris Christian Blessedness 81 If God would not accept an House of Prayer from a Man of a Military Way and Character, much less will he accept Prayers which proceed from a Soul disturb'd with Anger.
1721 London Gaz. No. 6020/4 Diapers, Damasks, Huckabacks, and all sorts of..Linnens in a Linnen-Draper's Way.
1728 J. Gay Beggar's Opera i. ix. 13 The Lawyers are bitter Enemies to those in our Way.
1752 London Evening Post 28 May 4/1 We hear that there hath been lately an Order made in some of the Royal Hospitals, that no Governor should serve them in his Way of Business.
1787 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 90 The best workmen in this way, acknowledge that his is like a new art.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §293 This day the plumber completed every thing in his way about the balcony.
1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia I. iv. x. 372 Karl Philip, Cadet of the Pfalz, came to Berlin—a rather idle young man, once in the clerical way, now gone into the military.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xii. 265 I am in another way of business. And I am rather better off.
1914 Origin Aberdeen-Angus 32 The old Buchan Polls were famous in the dairy way—equal in the opinion of many who compared them to the Ayrshire breed.
1920 Act 10 & 11 George V c. 13 §2 (3) In the case of a seller who was in the same way of business before the war.
1995 Rep. Patent, Design & Trade Mark Cases 1994 379 Another party in the same way of business had already put forward a claim to be the proprietor of the identical trade.
b. With modifying noun denoting the commodity or type of goods the business deals in. Usually in prepositional phrases with in, as in the steel way, in the haberdashery way, etc. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1754 P. Whitehead Hist. Old Lady & her Family 1 Having from her Youth a Head for Business,..she kept a Shop in the Haberdashery Way.
1760 S. Derrick Lett. (1767) I. 45 The different manufactures of this town, more particularly in the cutlery and toy way.
1790 Ann. Reg. 1788 Useful Projects 93/1 I engaged a gentleman of ability in the steel way.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby iv. 25 I am in the oil and colour way.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond ii It was a new house, but did a tremendous business in the fig and sponge way.
1909 Boot & Shoe Recorder 17 Feb. 81/1 There is a lot doing in the shoe way in the busy capital of Ohio.
a1973 A. Macdonald in M. Maclaren Golfer's Bedside Bk. (1976) iv. 48 If he is in the haberdashery way, your prize is fairly certain to be a gay necktie, or a bolt of Manchester.
26. A specified type or class of things; kind, sort, description. In prepositional phrases with in, as in the way of, in the —— way: of the nature of; of the specified kind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun]
kindeOE
i-cundeOE
mannera1225
jetc1330
colour1340
hair1387
estrete1393
gendera1398
hedea1400
savourc1400
stockc1450
toucha1500
rate1509
barrel1542
suit1548
fashion1562
special1563
stamp1573
family1598
garb1600
espece1602
kidney1602
bran1610
formality1610
editiona1627
make1660
cast1673
tour1702
way1702
specie1711
tenor1729
ilk1790
genre1816
stripe1853
persuasion1855
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iii. 183 He averr'd ‘That, in that way of Bill [sc. a bill of attainder] Private Satisfaction to each man's Conscience was sufficient, although No Evidence had been given in at all’.
1757 S. Foote Author i. 5 You have nothing in the compiling, or index Way, that you wou'd intrust to the Care of another?
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Philopœmen in Plutarch Lives ⁋4 From a child he was fond of everything in the military way.
1797 A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl II. v. 76 In the afternoon tea way, her bar exhibited the genteel thing.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. xii. 110 I should want for nothing in the bread and water way!
1875 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (ed. 2) III. xiii. 305 He did a good deal in the way of ravaging.
1948 R. M. Ayres Missing Tide i. 27 I suppose he can advance you anything you want in the way of money, can't he?
1966 J. Thompson in D. Foster Self Portraits (1991) 138 I haven't written much the last two or three years in the poetry way.
2001 J. Hamilton-Paterson Loving Monsters (2002) viii. 145 Anything in the way of foreplay was thought effeminate.
B. int.1
1. Used to command others to clear a space or path to allow one to pass; ‘make way’ (see Phrases 1g(a)(ii)). Cf. room int.
ΚΠ
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage v. ix. 417 When they passe along the way, one goeth before them crying Poo Poo, that is, way, way.
1794 P. Russell A. Russell's Nat. Hist. Aleppo (ed. 2) I. ii. v. 245 He is then conducted to the chamber of the sick lady by a slave, who continues, in a loud voice, to give warning of his approach, by exclaiming Dirb, Dirb, al Hakeem Gia-y. Way! Way! the doctor is coming.
1839 W. Peter tr. F. Schiller William Tell iii. 135 Way for the Governor! My gracious Lord, The Governor is on horseback just behind me!
1898 A. Balfour To Arms v Once or twice I saw a courier flying north,..and clearing the road with a loud shout of ‘Way, way!’
1901 Columbia Lit. Monthly Mar. 172 At last they loomed up near by, and with a shout of ‘Way, lift your oars, starboard!’ the crew shot alongside.
2005 M. C. Ford Sword of Attila (2006) 283 He was preceded by a squadron of Hunnish guards, whose shouts of, ‘Way! Way for the king!’ cleared a path through the puzzled troops and the wagons.
2. humorous (chiefly U.S.). Used as a response to ‘no way’ (no way int. 1), to emphasize the truth of an initial statement. Cf. earlier yes way at yes adv., n., and int. Phrases 6.
ΚΠ
1992 D. Coupland Shampoo Planet x. 52 ‘You've become the cult Halloween costume for this year.’ ‘No way.’ ‘Way.’
1993 Daily Herald (Chicago) 3 Oct. (Sports section) 1/1 It's time to make a decisive, definitive, deloverly pick in the American League playoffs. No way. Way.
2011 N. Gunawardena Something happened on Way to Heaven 31 ‘How long was I asleep?’ ‘About five minutes.’ ‘No way!’ ‘Way!’ ‘The dream seemed like it was almost two hours.’

Phrases

P1. Phrases with verbs.
a. Phrases with go.
(a) to go one's own way: to act independently or as one wishes, esp. contrary to advice; to resist the influence of other people.
ΚΠ
1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca Omnes itinera insistant sua, let euery man go his owne waye.
a1634 W. Austin Devotionis Augustinianæ Flamma (1635) 265 Hee goes his owne way; his owne steps carry him in his owne path.
1684 Tryal L. Braddon & H. Speke 75 When you were advised by Sir Henry Capel to take a prudent and a good course, to go and leave it with a Secretary of State, you would not take that Advice, but you would go your own way, and you would turn Examiner, and Prosecutor your self.
1793 C. Smith Old Manor House I. viii. 169 I suppose he's got among them—a fine flashy set of trades-folks—and enters into their amusements and views; and if so, I shall never disturb him, let him go his own way; only I shall not choose to have a shopkeeper an inmate at Rayland Hall.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. ix. 179 At any rate, it is safer to leave people to their own devices on such subjects. Every body likes to go their own way . View more context for this quotation
1920 E. Obecny tr. W. S. Reymont Comédienne x. 427 Only foolish people anger themselves or rejoice. A man ought merely to look on, observe, and go his own way.
1970 A. Lelchuk Amer. Mischief (1973) ii. 196 Go your own way. Be your own men. Leave your bored and tired elders to worship excrement and degradation. Be better than they.
2000 K. Charles Cruel Habitations (2001) xxi. 417 He and I were meant to be colleagues in ministry in Sutton Fen. But he always went his own way, and looked down his nose at the Established Church.
(b) With long and similar adjectives.
(i) to go a long (also great, short, etc.) way.
(1) To have a great, small, etc., influence or effect. Frequently with with: to have a great, small, etc., effect or influence on a specified person or thing.See also a little (——) goes a long way at little adj., pron., n., and adv. Phrases 4a.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > influence > have influence with [verb (transitive)]
to carry the sway of1549
persuade1618
to go a long (also great, short, etc.) way1624
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > make a success of [verb (transitive)] > succeed in or achieve a purpose
reacheOE
awinc1000
attain1393
speedc1400
comprehenda1450
escheve1489
to make out1535
consecute1536
compass1549
achievea1569
aspire1581
obtain1589
subdue1590
to go a long (also great, short, etc.) way1624
arrivea1657
kill1899
nail1981
1624 J. Donne Deuotions xiii. 322 They mercy may goe a great way in my soul.
1640 T. Hooker Christians Two Chiefe Lessons 74 Observe this rule, and it will goe a great way.
1676 tr. G. Guillet de Saint-Georges Acct. Voy. Athens ii. 215 That kind of Ostentation goes a great way with the populacy.
1766 J. Burgh Crito I. i. 71 Were there no foolish or wicked men at the head of the world, the mischief of our diminutive offenders would go but a short way.
1820 Examiner No. 612. 1/2 A mode of testimony which ought to go a good way with the Laureat.
1873 B. Harte Mliss xxvi. 77 A little flirtation went a great way with most of them, and yet fell far short of Miss Kitty's desires.
1902 Typogr. Jrnl. 15 Dec. 513/2 A little praise goes a long way.
1942 Rotarian Feb. 8/1 A spot of tea or coffee and some sweets go a long way with a tired fighting man.
2000 J. Rubin tr. H. Murakami Norwegian Wood II. ix. 137 ‘A nice face goes a long way with me,’ she said.
(2) With in, to, towards. To have a great, small, etc., degree of success in achieving or attaining some specified result.
ΚΠ
1627 J. Rogers Doctr. Faith 8 Men may have..shewes of every grace, (and goe a great way to the deceiving of themselves and many others).
1665 J. Dolben Serm. Good-Friday 10 Which observation will go a great way towards the determining the main controversie between us and them.
1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 26 Dec. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1477 Your stay at Rome will go a great way towards answering all my views.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. iii. 43 A distinction so comprehensive goes but a short way in illustrating the different tribes of so numerous a class.
1849 Tait's Edinb. Mag. 16 233/2 Every walk a man takes..is as good as a course of lectures..and goes far more toward his spiritual fashioning and culture.
1885 Times 18 Sept. 13/4 The farm produce goes a short way to filling the mouths.
1933 J. Hilton Lost Horizon 3 It goes some way to show that clothes make the man, doesn't it?
2008 New Yorker 17 Nov. 87/3 His dignified manner..went a long way toward reassuring skeptical voters.
(ii) to go a long way with and variants: to agree with a person, viewpoint, or conclusion up to a certain point.
ΚΠ
1850 Lady Lyttelton Let. 12 June (1912) 401 I cannot quite enter into his politics... But a very great way I go along with him.
1859 C. Darwin Let. Nov. (1887) II. vi. 224 Also from Quatrefages, who is inclined to go a long way with us.
1882 Champion of Faith 16 Nov. 37/2 We will go the whole way with you in your Radicalism and Socialism; will you not go a little way with us in our Christianity?
1964 L. Trilling E. M. Forster (ed. 2) i. 13 While liberal readers can go a long way with Forster, they can seldom go all the way.
1975 W. H. Bruford German Trad. of Self-Cultivation (2009) ii. 58 He could go a long way with the rationalists in their criticism of accepted doctrines.
2011 D. Harvey in F. Mulhern Lives on Left iii. 241 The Regulationists struck me as quite right to focus on shifts in the wage contract..; one could go quite a way with them there.
(iii) to go a long way: to achieve success. Chiefly in future and conditional constructions. Cf. go v. 39.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons)
speed993
achievec1300
escheve?a1400
succeed1509
to turn up trumps1595
fadge1611
to nick ita1637
to hit the mark (also nail, needle, pin)1655
to get on1768
to reap, win one's laurels1819
to go a long way1859
win out1861
score1882
to make it1885
to make a ten-strike1887
to make the grade1912
to make good1914
to bring home the bacon1924
to go places1931
1859 G. Meredith Ordeal Richard Feverel II. iii. 32 He's a fine lad. I'll say that for him, Ma'am. He'll go a long way when he's once, loose, that lad will.
1925 New Yorker 5 Sept. 11/3 Which is another way of saying that he will go a very long way.
1959 B. Kops Hamlet of Stepney Green 101 I think David is a lovely boy; he's got such a wonderful voice, he'll go a long way.
1992 D. Glazer Last Oasis 51 ‘Duane Appleby,’ he'd say, ‘you could go a long way if only you'd work.’
2002 This is Lancashire (Nexis) 15 Sept. Matt is full of talent and I'm sure he's going to go a long way in the game.
(c) With all, the whole.
(i) to go all the way (also the whole way).
(1) To do something completely, thoroughly, or fully; to go the whole hog; spec. to continue a course of action to its conclusion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > following up, through, or prosecution > follow up, out, or through [verb (intransitive)] > to the end
to tug it outa1641
to go all the way1799
to go the route1926
1799 Anti-Jacobin Rev. & Mag. Aug. 407 Mr. W. might safely have gone the whole way, without mincing matters.
1803 W. Huntington Justif. Sinner (ed. 2) 81 If they are true messengers, they must go all the way in regeneration which they went before in external profession.
1881 Hansard CCLXI. 242 He would have great pleasure in supporting this Bill if it went the whole way in the direction it professed to take.
1915 J. C. Powys Visions & Revisions 12 If you lack the courage, or the variability, to go all the way with very different masters, and to let your constructive consistency take care of itself, you may become, perhaps, an admirable moralist; you will never by a clairvoyant critic.
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion (1980) i. i. 24 She would go to medical school... She didn't know if she would have the guts to go all the way: intern, resident, actually practice medicine.
2001 Independent on Sunday 15 July (LifeEtc. section) 1/1 More and more are going the whole way and embracing the jet-set gypsy lifestyle.
(2) slang. To have sexual intercourse with someone (as opposed to kissing, petting, etc.). Also with with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > have sexual intercourse > as opposed to kissing, petting, etc.
to go all the way1924
to go the limit1925
1924 P. Marks Plastic Age xiv. 151 ‘Wonder if Janet would have gone the whole way,’ flitted across his mind.
1953 Life 24 Aug. 45/1 The great fear..was that the petting party would lead many girls to what was called ‘go all the way’.
1961 L. P. Hartley Two for River 49 I'd sooner go the whole way with somebody than natter with them at a tea-table.
1970 W. J. Burley To kill Cat x. 186 The things we found in her room! I mean it was obvious she was going all the way and her not fifteen!
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion (1980) i. vi. 86 They would do as much as they could without either removing the rest of her clothes or going all the way.
2003 K. Slater & J. Borte Pipe Dreams (2004) iv. 91 I was certain that my wealth of experience enabled me to look at any girl and know if she went all the way.
(ii) to go all the way (also the whole way) with: to agree completely with (frequently in negative contexts).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > be in agreement [verb (intransitive)]
accord1340
cordc1380
to be condescendedc1386
to be consentedc1386
consenta1400
intend1421
onec1450
drawc1480
to be of (also in) one (or a) mind?1496
agreea1513
gree?a1513
to draw by one string1558
conspire1579
to meet witha1586
conclude1586
condog1592
consign1600
hit1608
centre1652
to be of (another's) mind1717
to go all the way (also the whole way) with1829
to sing the same song1846
1829 Christian Baptist (Va.) 2 Mar. 184 We will still be considered uncharitable by some, if we do not go the whole way with them in their superstitious or enthusiastic notions and practices.
1876 Cultivator & Country Gentleman 9 Nov. 713/1 A correspondent of the Toronto Globe writes: I do not go all the way with you in crying down three-furrow plows.
1922 H. J. Laski in Holmes-Laski Lett. (1953) I. 412 I can't go all the way with it, for if it was as a business man that the tyrant found the path to power I should have thought there would have been mention of it in Aristotle.
1927 H. T. Lowe-Porter tr. T. Mann Magic Mountain (London ed.) I. iii. 78 ‘Am I right?’ ‘You certainly are, I can go all the way with you there.’
1970 L. B. Pearson Words & Occasions viii. 43 I can't go the whole way with this ‘blame it on the German character’ school of thought.
1976 M. Woodhouse Moon Hill ii. 13 There's a popular belief..that having a lot of money creates more difficulties than it solves. I don't go all the way with it, but it's partly true.
2001 P. Boettke in J. E. Biddle et al. Economics broadly Considered xi. 203 However, I do not go all the way with him in terms of the implications of the argument.
(d) to go (one's) separate (also different, etc.) ways.
(i) To leave in a different direction from someone with whom one has been associating, travelling, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate, come, or go apart [verb (intransitive)]
to-dealeOE
shedc1000
asunderOE
to-twemea1225
sunderc1225
twin?c1225
atwin?a1400
to make separationc1450
separe1490
twain15..
sever1545
unsever1609
spread1611
separate1638
disclaim1644
to come apart1764
to go separate ways1774
twine1886
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. iv. i. 311 They go separate ways, each to provide for itself, during the rigours of winter; and, at the approach of spring, each seeks for a new associate.
1789 R. Broome Lett. Simpkin the Second (new ed.) ix. 54 The Triumvirate now may go separate ways—Joe Surface again to the writing of Plays; Charles Fox on the Continent finish his ramble..; And Burke..May harangue to the Lords, when the Trial commences.
1875 L. Larcom Idyl of Work 51 They went their separate ways. The pastor's friend Asked, musingly, ‘Where have I seen that face?’
1893 Canad. Mag. Oct. 686/1 The neighbors went their various ways, to recount, with such additions as gossips love, their afternoon's experience.
1947 ‘P. Wentworth’ Wicked Uncle xxxviii. 257 Tomorrow they would all have gone their separate ways.
1992 P. Collins Let. to Louise 161 He kept me company to Knightsbridge and then we went our separate ways.
2008 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 27 July (Week in Review) 11/4 They look at each other shyly and touch tenderly..and—tant pis—go their separate ways.
(ii) To end a romantic, professional, or other relationship.
ΚΠ
1875 Georgia Weekly Tel. 14 Sept. How proud we went our separate ways: And spake no word and made no moan.
1894 All Year Round 26 May 496/1 I have gone over every step of our married life..till the day when we broke those bonds so lightly and went our separate ways.
1919 Scribner's Mag. May 530/1 It often seems to the jaded consciousness of courts dealing with discordant domestic relations that Jack and Jill might be better allowed to go their separate ways except when there are children.
1938 Times 1 Jan. 10/4 Much was certainly lost when the original directorate decided to go separate ways, as from the separation both parties seem to have suffered.
1957 N. B. Morrison Other Traveller i. 29 His parents had agreed to go their different ways.
1997 Jet 30 June 38/1 Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter..and his longtime girlfriend..are going their separate ways.
b. Phrases with have.
†(a) to have the way (also ways): (with to and infinitive) to know how to go about something, or achieve a desired result; to have the knack or skill of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > be versed or skilled [verb (intransitive)]
to have the way (also ways)?1520
to know what something is1535
practise1542
skilla1586
to be one's craftsmaster1594
to know the ropes1802
to know one's way around1861
to know (something) backwards1904
to know one's stuff1927
?1520 A. Barclay tr. Sallust Cron. Warre agaynst Iugurth lv. f. lxxix He had the wayes easely to get frendshyp, and it was also no maistry to get frendshyppe of hym.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 163 O the right philosophicall herte of this prince, who had the waye, euen of his enemies, also to take vtilitee and profite [L. O uere philosophicum principis animum, qui nouit etiam ex inimicis capere utilitatem].
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 200 Oh what an horse these folkes dooe marre, while through defaulte of skylle..thei haue not the wayes to handle hym [L. dum illo per imperitiam..uti nesciunt].
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Hymn to Hermes in tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 81 For thou, alreadie, hast the way to speake Fayrely, and elegantly.
1713 T. P. in tr. Ovid Tristia sig. A5v Indeed it must be acknowledged, that this Wit the Roman, had the Way to charm his Mistresses, but he had not the same good Fortune with his Wife.
(b) to have way. Cf. sense A. 11.
(i) Of a feeling: to be vented; to find expression. Also of tears: to fall, be shed. Frequently with modal auxiliary. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest itself [verb (intransitive)]
break out into or in1480
to have way?1614
?1614 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses x. 159 But griefe was neuer good, at great affaire. It would haue way yet. [No corresponding sentence in the Greek original.]
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer i. 37 There is a Day In which thine Indignation shall have way.
1701 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother iv. iii. 55 This idle Rage is Vain! And yet, my swelling Passions will have way; And rend my labouring Breast till they find vent.
1739 D. Mallet Mustapha v. vi. 80 A few tears will have way At this eternal parting.
1846 G. P. R. James Step-mother xxxii He evidently strove to speak calmly, but the father's apprehensions would have way, and his voice trembled, and his lip quivered.
1883 D. C. Murray Hearts xix Tom dropped his face into his hands, and a scalding tear or two had way in spite of him.
1906 S. M. Hensley Heart of Woman 51 Canst thou not understand a nature strong And passionate, with impulses that sway, With yearning tenderness that must have way.
(ii) To have freedom of action; (later more strongly) to have ascendancy, be predominant.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > have freedom of action [verb (intransitive)]
to have one's forth1362
to have waya1616
to have a free hand1838
to have one's hands free1838
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 236 Let me haue way, my Lord To finde this practise out. View more context for this quotation
1640 J. Price Anti-Mortonus xxxix. 649 That the Blessed Bishop of the City of Rome, to whom antiquity hath yeilded the Priestood ouer all, may haue way to iudge of Bishops, and of fayth.
1796 G. Colman Iron Chest iii. ii. 100 I prithee now, Let me have way in this.
1831 New Monthly Mag. 31 497 Wherever the popular will had way in the elections, it was declared loudly and peremptorily for the ministerial measure of Reform.
1850 E. B. Browning Poems I. 246 Pol. If he desires to wed That woman and legitimate her child—Cha. You see as much? Oh, let his will have way!
1904 P. Gardner Hist. View New Test. ii. 63 As regards the expression of Christian ideas in doctrinal form, two tendencies had way in the early Church.
1996 P. J. Haas in W. S. Green & J. Neusner Relig. Factor xii. 191 She prayed, ‘Let the angels have way over the creatures.’ But the rabbis did not stop praying.
(c) to have a way of (with a gerund).
(i) To be in the habit of doing something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > act habitually [verb (intransitive)] > do or be habitually
goOE
to have a way of1637
1637 N. Whiting Le Hore di Recreatione 10 I have a way of complementing better, To win thy love with comely garbes and lockes.
1662 A. Honyman Seasonable Case Submission to Church-govt. 34 In these dayes they had a way of using liberty enough, and more then was fitting.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela II. 124 Sir, said Mr. Williams, you have a way of overcoming, that hardly all my Reading affords an Instance of the like.
1789 J. White Earl Strongbow II. 146 He had a way of quivering his head and turning up his nose.
1858 G. A. Sala Journey due North 185 [She] used to wear Wellington boots, and had a way of tapping their polished sides with her parasol-handle.
1866 tr. V. Hugo Toilers of Sea 125/2 The porpoises..have a way of biting the cuttle-fish which decapitates it.
1883 R. Broughton Belinda II. iii. v. 244 ‘The fact is,’ lazily drawing herself up into a sitting posture, and looking round explanatorily, ‘that people have a way of giving me locks of their hair.’
1934 Hound & Horn 7 393 They have a way of missing out on emotional experience, either through timidity and caution or through heroic renunciation.
1970 Amer. Jrnl. Nursing 70 2135/1 Bobby..stared quizzingly into my face; he had a way of sizing up his listeners before he spoke.
1990 ‘A. Cross’ Players come Again (1992) iv. 103 Husbands have a way of counseling caution.
2002 Nature Photographer Summer 47/2 Grizzlies and black bears both have a way of popping up in the most unexpected and exciting places.
(ii) Of an action, process, etc.: to tend to produce a particular outcome or effect, or result in a particular state of affairs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > [noun]
kinda1200
disposingc1380
disposition1393
aptc1400
hieldc1400
remotiona1425
inclination?a1439
incliningc1450
taste1477
intendment1509
benta1535
swing1538
approclivity1546
aptness1548
swinge1548
drift1549
set1567
addiction1570
disposedness1583
swaya1586
leaning1587
intention1594
inflection1597
inclinableness1608
appetite1626
vogue1626
tendency1628
tendence1632
aptitude1633
gravitation1644
propension1644
biasing1645
conducement1646
flexure1652
propendency1660
tend1663
vergencya1665
pend1674
to have a way of1748
polarity1767
appetency1802
drive1885
overleaning1896
1748 W. Sharp Serm. preach'd before Univ. of Oxf. at St. Mary's 12 A grave and solemn Censure, pronounc'd with good assurance, has a way of making some Folks look Significant, that would be otherwise but inconsiderable.
1821 D. Webster Disc. Delivered Plymouth 123 We are not afraid of bullets, but treason has a way of taking people off, that we do not much relish.
1883 Manch. Guard. 3 Oct. 7/2 A policy has a way of becoming unrecognisable when it is administered by a man who does not believe in it.
1959 A. Nin Children of Albatross 168 Secrets have a way of corroding their containers.
1986 Dædalus Fall 12 Shared productions have a way of robbing an opera house of its artistic individuality.
2009 New Yorker 3 Aug. 26/1 Monotype Caecilia..had a way of reducing everything to arbitrary heaps of words.
(d) to have a way with one: to have a charming and persuasive manner. Also with modifying adjective (occasionally with way in the plural).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade [verb (intransitive)] > have persuasive manner
to have a way with one1655
1655 F. G. tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Artamenes V. x. iii. 180 He seems so tender, so sweet, so civill, and so affable, and has such an obliging way with him, as would perswade any one he loves them better than ever he did any.
1677 Duke of Newcastle & T. Shadwell Triumphant Widow iii. 38 He has overcome me, Madam, he has such a way with him.
1711 R. Martin in E. H. Burton Life Bp. Challoner (1909) I. iii. 33 Saying yt he'd make a most excellent missioner; he had such an honest way with him.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. xii. 156 You have very winning ways with you; you make me do just whatever you please.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. iv. 92 Quilp has such a way with him when he likes, that the best-looking woman here couldn't refuse him if..he chose to make love to her.
1901 Athenæum 27 July 120/2 Sticking through thick and thin to the fascinating good-for-nothing who has a way with him.
1959 A. Sillitoe Loneliness of Long-distance Runner (1962) 121 She was the sort of woman as ‘had a way with her’—which meant that she usually got what she wanted.
1999 F. McCourt 'Tis li. 463 Lord above, she said, that man had a way with him.
(e) to have it (also things) one's (own) way. Compare to have one's way at sense A. 18b(a).
(i) To get what one wants in spite of opposition; to do as one wishes. Frequently also more strongly in to have everything (also it all) one's own way, indicating that no serious resistance or opposition is met to whatever one wants.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > wish or be disposed or inclined [verb] > do as one wishes
to have (also get, take) one's (own) way1549
to take one's willc1565
to have everything one's own way1653
to have it all one's own way1653
to do one's (own) thing1841
suit yourself1860
1653 S. Fisher Παιδοβαπτιζοντες Παιδιζοντες: Baby-baptism 428 It may be noted how the men will have things their own way, by hook or by crook.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 66 Therefore he would have it his Way, and our Friend is to drink till he is carbuncled and Tun-bellied.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 107 Never deny him any Thing, for he loves to have every Thing his own Way.
1819 Metropolis (ed. 2) II. 73 Without the nobles, the mobocracy would have it all their own way.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. i. viii. 154 That easiness of mind, which is easy because it is tolerant, because it does not look to have everything its own way.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. iv. vii. 296 That literature admits no controversialists, and the writer has it all his own way.
1934 Daily News Standard (Uniontown, Pa.) 31 Aug. 4/2 Both the goodies and the baddies have influence now, whereas in previous administrations just one of those groups had everything its own way.
2004 Independent 6 Dec. 20/2 Like the other invaders who have cowed and exploited this island.., they have had it all their own way.
2006 Psychologies (U.K. ed.) July (Self-Test Special Suppl.) 22/2 With your level-headedness and preference for having things your way at work, you would make a natural line manager.
(ii) imperative in have it your (own) way: used to indicate impatiently that although one disagrees with something said or proposed, one is not going to argue further.
ΚΠ
1764 A. Murphy What we must all come To i. 21 May be so—have it your own way (walks about, and sings.)
1841 Western Temperance Jrnl. 1 Apr. 42/3 Why if you call this proscription, have it your way!
1881 Boy's Own Paper 17 Sept. 818/3 Oh, well, have it your own way; make a journey to the moon if you like.
1923 Humorist 22 Dec. 542/1 ‘Oh, very well,’ replied Helena. ‘Have it your own way,’ and she went out of the room rather chuffily. A minute later the front door slammed.
1953 H. Miller Plexus I. iii. 152 ‘He doesn't need advice,’ she replied. ‘He knows what he's doing.’ ‘O.K. sister, have it your way then!’
1988 G. Patterson Burning your Own (1993) 148 ‘Have it your way.’ She waved a hand. ‘I'm not going to squabble over sixpence.’
2000 A. Taylor Where Roses Fade (2003) xviii. 145 All right—have it your own way.
(f) to have it both ways and variants: to benefit from two incompatible ways of thinking or behaving. Also to want it both ways: to wish to benefit in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > be advantageous or beneficial [verb (intransitive)] > derive benefit > in two contradictory ways
to have it both ways1773
1773 B. Franklin Let. 7 July (1817) II. 369 You take money from us by force, and now you ask it of voluntary grant. You cannot have it both ways.
1822 W. Bobbett Collective Comm. 155/1 They cannot have it both ways. If one takes so much as to leave nothing for the other, without starving the people, that other must take less.
1892 Iron Age 22 Dec. 1240/1 The trouble is that the Hardware trade seems to want it both ways—that is, where they buy the large Nails they want the base fixed on the basis of high average, and when in want of small Nails they ask for special prices.
1903 Times 15 Sept. 5/6 The free importers and free fooders want to have it both ways.
1964 C. Hodder-Williams Main Experiment vii. 73 ‘It was only folklore.’.. ‘Yes, but you can't have it both ways. If it frightens you it must mean something.’
1970 G. Grant in Lament for Nation (1991) Introd. p. ix We are like the child of some stockbroker who can enjoy the fruits of his father's endeavours by living the swinging life, but likes to exclude from his mind where the money comes from. Like most other human beings, Canadians want it both ways.
1992 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 9 Aug. 11/2 He's a bit of a pain because he wants it both ways.
2005 New Yorker 16 May 63/2 Consistency means we cannot have it both ways.
(g) to have a way with.
(i) To have great skill or ability in using. Chiefly in to have a way with words: to be able to speak or write eloquently or expressively.
ΚΠ
1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers III. vi. 107 It's a very good sort of a man is this Master Bumppo, and he has a way with a spear.
1891 Lit. World 11 Apr. 126/3 He has a way with words that is alluring.
1921 America 5 Feb. 385/2 Spenser was a real poet. He had a way with words.
1936 Esquire Nov. 203/1 Johnson had a way with a knife and, with a few adroit strokes, could cut away the flesh and lay bare the sinews.
1987 R. Curtis & B. Elton Blackadder the Third in R. Curtis et al. Blackadder: Whole Damn Dynasty (1998) 261/2 Oh, you do have a way with words, Mr Shelley!
2000 M. Gayle Turning Thirty ii. 11 Bill Gates has a way with computers, Picasso had a way with a paintbrush..I have a way with the telephone.
2014 Aberdeen Evening Express (Nexis) 5 Nov. 2 Having a way with words can help you in the world of work.
(ii) To have a particular talent for dealing with.
ΚΠ
1902 E. F. Benson Scarlet & Hyssop xii. 235 The country..likes you a good deal. You have a way with plebeians.
1922 B. Hecht 1001 Afternoons in Chicago 260 They pick me out for the death watch on account I have a way with doomed men.
1940 M. Dickens Mariana iv. 96 There was Dr. Hopkins, who evidently had a way with children and talked to Mary with untiring coyness all through tea.
1957 F. O'Connor Let. 22 Dec. in Habit of Being (1980) 260 All the men who know her seem to like her as I strongly gather she has a way with them.
1990 P. Auster Music of Chance i. 4 There was no question that the guy had a way with kids.
(h) to have (also get) one's way with: (typically of a man) to have sexual intercourse with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > have sexual intercourse > specifically of a man
to hit the master-vein1592
possess1592
to get one's leg over1599
roger1763
to have one's way with1884
to dip (one's) wick1958
to lay pipe1967
1884 M. A. Needell Lucia, Hugh & Another III. xlii. 195 Could he have had his way with her he would have dragged her down into the mire of his own passionate self-indulgence, assuring her meanwhile that it would not soil the crystal purity of her soul.
1898 Harper's New Monthly Mag. Sept. 565/1 He could only get his way with her by some act that spelled prison in unmistakable and large capitals.
1915 J. Conrad Victory iv. xii. 399 If I had taken you by the throat this morning and had my way with you, I should never have known what you are.
1961 W. Brown Bedeviled 113 Although she struggled, she was no match for him and he had ‘had his way with her’.
1980 E. Jong Fanny iii. xiii. 440 Thus could Anne Bonny defend herself when she did not fancy a Man, but when she fancied one, she also had her Way with him.
1988 J. Smolens Winter by Degrees vii. 70 The two of them up there together in that big house? You can't tell me he wasn't getting his way with her, or trying to anyway.
2003 C. Birch Turn again Home vii. 104 He probably wanted to, you know, have his way with her. And probably she wouldn't.
c. With hold.
†(a) to hold a way: to follow a particular path; to take a particular route. Also with adjective or possessive specifying the path followed. Frequently figurative, esp. in spiritual contexts. Obsolete.Sometimes, esp. in later figurative use, with the implication of maintaining a course without deviation, converging with Phrases 1c(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)]
to hold a wayOE
to hold forthc1200
to hold ona1225
reignc1300
lasta1325
continuea1340
to continue doing or to doc1384
pursuea1425
perseverec1425
to hold one's wayc1480
prosecute1528
to go on1533
to run on1533
keep1548
to follow on1560
insist1586
to keep on1589
to carry on1832
to carry on1857
string1869
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (transitive)] > keep pace with
to hold a wayOE
to run with ——?c1400
coast1413
endure1588
to keep upa1633
to keep with ——1817
pace1931
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [verb (transitive)] > advance at equal rate with
to hold a wayOE
to keep (also hold) pace1583
evena1616
filea1625
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (intransitive)] > continue on one's course
to hold a wayOE
to hold forthc1200
to go ona1500
OE Ælfric Old Eng. Hexateuch: Gen. (Claud.) xviii. 19 Ic wat soðlice þæt he wyle bebeodan hys bearnum.., þæt hi healdon Godes weg [L. viam Domini] & þæt hi don rihtwisnysse.
OE tr. Chrodegang of Metz Regula Canonicorum (Corpus Cambr. 191) lii. 281 Ealswa ma weg sceal healdan betwux fyre and wætere, þæt se man ne forbyrne ne ne adrince.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 161 (MED) Ðan þe safarinde men seð þe sa sterre, hie wuten sone wuderward hie sullen weie holden.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 4016 (MED) Where a king is propre wys..every vertu holt his weie.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 708 This Messager on morwe whan he wook Vn to the Castel halt the nexte wey.
1420 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 68 To declar vn to zow the tyme of hys comyng, and the weyes also the qwych he wele holde.
a1500 ( Vision E. Leversedge (1991) 118 (MED) Docturs in þer scolis..disputen, sume holding on way and sume annoþer way.
1661 W. Howell Inst. Gen. Hist. ii. ii. 341 Having passed the Hellespont into the Cherronesus, he held the same way that Xerxes formerly had done.
(b) to hold one's way: to carry on one's journey without stopping or deviating; (figurative) to continue one's course of action; to persevere. Now rare.In cases with the weaker sense of simply maintaining one's course (e.g. quot. 1880), converging with Phrases 1c(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > continue doing or keep going in a course of action [verb (intransitive)]
to hold a wayOE
to hold forthc1200
to hold ona1225
reignc1300
lasta1325
continuea1340
to continue doing or to doc1384
pursuea1425
perseverec1425
to hold one's wayc1480
prosecute1528
to go on1533
to run on1533
keep1548
to follow on1560
insist1586
to keep on1589
to carry on1832
to carry on1857
string1869
c1480 (a1400) SS. Simon & Jude 326 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 217 Syne to þe eddris can þai sa: ‘ve commawnd ȝow to hald ȝour va’.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion xiii. 220 The first doth hold her way, From Douer, to the farth'st of fruitfull Anglesey.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 1 All night the dreadless Angel unpursu'd Through Heav'ns wide Champain held his way . View more context for this quotation
1727 Broome Jason & Medea in Poems 242 Along the Wheel worn Road they hold their way.
1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. xiv. 328 The..reeds of the jungle were moving like the ripple of the ocean, when distorted by the course of a shark holding its way near the surface.
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) x. 94 People who have enough to do to hold their own way..had better be content with their own obligations and difficulties.
1880 W. Watson Prince's Quest 94 So forward piloted.., she held her way Unveering.
1932 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Sunset Song 68 It was through that wood at nine o'clock that Maggie Jean Gordon would hold her way to the station.
†(c) to hold way: to maintain the same pace or rate of progress; to keep up with; = to keep (also †hold) pace at pace n.1 Phrases 1a. Also with indirect object rather than with. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1554 J. Proctor Hist. Wyates Rebellion sig. D.viv The lord Aburgaueny, the shyreffe, and the rest of the gentlemen,..as with great paynes takinge to clyme the hyll, and to holde waye with the horsemen, ouertoke the rebelles.
1630 E. Cobbes Worldlings Looking Glasse Ep. Ded. sig. A5v I am not able to hold way with such strong & able laborers as you are, nor worthy to be accounted in the number of good workmen.
1662 T. Allin Jrnl. 17 May (1939) (modernized text) I. 81 The Norwich had much ado to hold us way.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 1 [It] flies so far, that no Bird..but a Woodcock, can hold way with it.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World i. 2 I did not doubt but that I should be able to hold him way.
1868 Rowing Cal. & Aquatic Reg. 1867 36 Sadler held way with Cooper for a couple of hundred yards.
d. With keep.
†(a) to keep one's way: to carry on one's journey without stopping or deviating; (figurative) to continue one's course of action; to persevere. Obsolete.In cases with the weaker sense of simply maintaining one's course (e.g. quot. 1880 at Phrases 1c(b)), converging with Phrases 1d(b).
ΚΠ
1430 J. Lydgate tr. Thebes ii. (R.) [He] List not once aside to diuert But kept his way.
?1520 R. Pynson tr. Frère Hayton Lytell Cronycle f. xii/1 To his second sonne that was called Bacho he commaunded that he shold kepe his way towarde Septentrion.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 136 I would my horse had the speed of your tongue..but keep your way a Gods name, I haue done. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. ii. 1 Nay keepe your way (little Gallant) you were wont to be a follower, but now you are a Leader. View more context for this quotation
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World 263 They lay on their oars for some time, notwithstanding that I urg'd them keep their way.
1918 Jrnl. Educ. (Univ. of Boston School of Educ.) 17 Oct. 374/2 We have kept our way Through desperate straits, through sacrifice and tears, Through blood and sweat.
(b) to keep a way: to follow a particular path; to take a particular route. Also with adjective or possessive specifying the path followed. Frequently figurative, esp. in spiritual contexts.Sometimes, esp. in later figurative use, with the implication of maintaining a course without deviation, converging with Phrases 1d(a).
ΚΠ
1489 W. Caxton De Roye's Doctrinal of Sapyence xl. sig. Fvi Lete them lyue so wel & kepe the waye of Innocencye for to gyue good example.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxxiijv Knowyng by his espials whiche waie therle kept.
a1677 T. Manton Serm. (1689) III. i. 628 None can hope for salvation but he that would keep God's way.
1729 J. Mitchell Poems Several Occasions II. 134 Better to keep the Way, that's beat and broad.
1838 Evangelical Mag. Aug. 388/2 They should keep the way of the Lord.
1907 Windsor Mag. Dec. 70/2 Hang me if I keep the narrow way that leadeth thus! I would sooner adventure to hazard perdition.
2004 J. H. Eaton Meditating on Psalms 85 Renew the inner life with all the firmness and strength to keep God's way.
(c) to keep way: to maintain the same pace or rate of progress; to keep up with; = to keep (also †hold) pace at pace n.1 Phrases 1a. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1594 O. B. Questions Profitable Concernings f. 1 We could not behold such sport thus farre of, but rather so farre as might become vs, keep way with the formost.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Gg1 It seemeth best, to keepe way with Antiquitie vsque ad aras . View more context for this quotation
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) xl. 236 When there be not Stonds, nor Restiuenesse in a Mans Nature; But that the wheeles of his Minde keepe way, with the wheeles of his Fortune.
1640 J. Yorke Battels in Union of Honour 63 She..had her fore mast broken off, which so hindred her sayle, that shee was unable to keepe way with the Fleete.
1708 Constitutions Company Watermen & Lightermen 82 All plying to keep Way, on forfeiture of 00. 00. 06.
1818 in J. K. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire Introd. p. xxvii In running..from the Nore to the North Foreland,..she kept way with the transport.
e. With know.
(a) to know one's way around (also about).
(i) With around or about as a preposition or adverb: to be familiar with a place, area, or neighbourhood.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > worldly wisdom > have worldly wisdom [phrase]
to know what's whatc1422
to know (also learn, show, teach, tell) (a person) a thing or two1760
to know one's way around1814
to have one's head screwed on right (also the right way)1821
to have been around1872
to know (also have) all the answers1896
to know how many (blue) beans make five-
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > experience > be experienced [phrase]
to know the ginc1530
to know what something is1535
to find (know, etc.) the length (also measure) of a person's foot1580
to know one's way around1814
to be more than seven1896
to know whereof one speaks (or writes, etc.)1922
1814 Morning Post 23 Apr. 1/2 (advt.) Wanted, a Coachman, chiefly to reside in the country, and who could, if required, drive four in hand; knows his way about town, and can give a personal reference.
1830 Christian Examiner & Gen. Rev. May 164 A surgeon must know his way about the human body, as a man knows his way about a city.
1848 Friends' Rev. May 542/2 He became excessively tame, went to bed with the poultry, came when called, would follow us about, and knew his way around the premises as well as the dogs.
1935 N. L. McClung Clearing in West xix. 152 Jack knew his way around, having been here many times the winter before... He drove straight down to Pacific Street to the Farmer's Home.
1952 T. Armstrong Adam Brunskill v. 140 Me and Reuben Nattrass knows us way about the mines here more than anybody.
1994 S. Butala Perfection of Morning x. 176 I had come to know my way around the countryside.
2012 Arbroath Herald (Nexis) 10 Feb. Conditions are bad enough for locals who know their way about but it must be even more frustrating for any visitors to the town!
(ii) figurative with around or about as an adverb: to be experienced in the ways of the world, be worldly-wise; to have a shrewdness born of experience.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > be versed or skilled [verb (intransitive)]
to have the way (also ways)?1520
to know what something is1535
practise1542
skilla1586
to be one's craftsmaster1594
to know the ropes1802
to know one's way around1861
to know (something) backwards1904
to know one's stuff1927
1861 Standard 5 Oct. 6/3 Lord Coventry, who knows his way about, backed the first and second in the handicap to-day.
1867 All Year Round 13 July 56/2 In this case the tramp who ‘knows his way about’ knows what to do.
1921 J. Galsworthy To Let i. v. 52 ‘That's a young woman who knows her way about,’ he said.
1968 H. R. F. Keating Inspector Ghote hunts Peacock vii. 95 That girl was a pretty slick chick..She knew her way around.
1991 A. Carter Wise Children (1992) ii. 78 We were just slips of girls but we soon knew our way around.
(iii) In extended use, with around or about as a preposition: to know how to deal with, accomplish, or make use of.
ΚΠ
1898 Mrs. H. Ward Helbeck I. iii. i. 265 I know my way about a railway guide. There's one a little after eight.
1935 L. Hart Heart is Quicker than Eye in Compl. Lyrics (1986) 223/2 Dear old mother was as wise as ten folks And she knew her way about the menfolks.
1962 Billboard Music Week 19 May 24/4 A Swiss ensemble that knows its way around the polka and waltz.
1985 W. Sheed Frank & Maisie ii. 24 He still can't take a poet seriously who doesn't know his way around his trochees and anapests.
2013 MX (Melbourne) (Nexis) 14 Aug. 17 Learner snappers and those who know their way around a camera will enjoy the aesthetics and hardware.
(b) to know which way is up and variants: to be shrewd or have common sense. Frequently in negative contexts indicating that a person is in a state of bewilderment or confusion.
ΚΠ
1918 Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, Minnesota) 20 Apr. 5/3 Some of the guys they got in here..don't know whether they are going or coming. Hardly know which way is up.
1940 Washington Post 2 Jan. 8/3 Comrade Runyon..has no respect for the youngsters of our town, in the way of dress. He is of the opinion that in this, as in other fields, the babes from the Stork Clubbe do not know which way is up.
1961 A. B. Chandler Rim of Space i. 13 ‘They were very vague in the office when I joined the Company.’ ‘They always are,’ the Mate told him. ‘They're never quite sure which way is up.’
1978 Skanner 2 Feb. 8 Both Redd and Richard know ‘which way is up’ and it has nothing to do with comments and conversations coming from the other brothers of the Hollywood clan, who can't get to their own grits.
2010 P. Murray Skippy Dies 196 In Italy, I prefer to date the girls who are in college—those who are nineteen, twenty, and have a good knowledge of sexual techniques. These girls, who are repressed and frigid, do not know which way is up.
f. to light the way (sometimes also to light one's way).
(a) With indirect object (usually a personal pronoun). To guide or lead a person by holding out a light to show the way. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > guide, lead, or show one the way > by holding out a light
to light the way1565
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Fax Præferre facem adolescentulo ad libidinem, To be an example or sterer of a yonge man to lecherie..as it were to light him the way.
1598 L. A. tr. G. Fernandez Honour of Chiualrie xxxvii. 219 Before them was carried a Piller of fire, which lighted them their way.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 21 All our yesterdayes, haue lighted Fooles The way to dusty death. View more context for this quotation
1640 R. Brome Antipodes ii. iv. sig. E The setting Sunne then bidding them good night, Came gliding easily downe by us; and strucke New day before us, lighting us our way.
1699 G. Farquhar Love & Bottle iii. i. 24 This is the Page, Love's Link-boy, that must light me the way.
1736 J. Sloss Doctr. of Trinity vi. 136 Here the Principles of natural Philosophy forsake us; here they are at a loss, and cannot light us our way.
1826 T. Hood Whims & Oddities 8 Those cruel eyes, like two funereal tapers, Have only lighted me the way to death.
1913 P. V. Cohn tr. J. A. de Gobineau Renaissance v. 342 Gentleman: Madam, Signor Michael Angelo is at this moment coming upstairs. Marchioness: Good: light him the way!
1973 S. Beckett First Love (1974) 28 She was therefore obliged, out of common savoir faire, to throw on a wrap and light me the way.
(b) To shed light on or light up a path so that it may be found or followed more easily or safely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > illumination > be or become illuminated [verb (intransitive)] > illuminate
to light the way1651
lightc1700
1651 N. Biggs Matæotechnia Medicinæ Praxeωs 17 So happy as with successe to light the way of such an expedient liberty and truth.
1797 G. R. Burrill Oration on 4th July 5 Hope lighted their way, and the remembrance of former wrongs strengthened their hands.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering I. xi. 190 ‘Certainly, sir,’ said Mrs. Mac-Candlish, and lighted the way.
1873 Harper's Mag. June 53/1 Huge stars, all bright as moons, that lit the way quite clear.
1968 U. K. Le Guin Wizard of Earthsea iii. 54 Vetch came to the door, a little bluish ball of were-light nodding over his head to light the way.
2012 Tipperary Star (Nexis) 29 Aug. Over 3,000 Candles of Hope burned around the track's perimeter lighting the way for the walkers.
g. to make way.
(a)
(i) To clear a space or path; to remove obstacles to progress; to facilitate passage or entrance. Frequently with for (formerly also †to or indirect object). Also figurative. [Compare Anglo-Norman faire veie and Old French, Middle French faire voie, frequently with a ‘to’ or an indirect object (c1193 in se faire veie to clear a path for oneself).]
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > do or accomplish something easily [verb (intransitive)] > facilitate progress
to make waya1200
to prepare the way1526
to clear the coast1530
to pave the wayc1585
to oil the wheels1645
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open by freeing of obstruction > open the way for something
to make waya1200
to give gate toc1330
to open a door to or for1670
to open out1789
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 91 (MED) Ðo þe þe weie makeden biforen him bien folkes lorþeawes.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 43 Þus heode sichðe bi uoren & makede wei to uuel lust.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 533 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 316 Byfore þe cours þo stuarde comes þen, Þe seruer hit next of alle kyn men Mays way and stondes by syde, Tyl alle be serued at þat tyde.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxii. 655 Gawein com thourgh the presse makinge wey with the trenchaunt suerde.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 68v And the fift or odde Crane in maner of a persiue sterne, to make the other way in the Ayre, flieth all alone before.
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China 184 They were carried in little chayres vpon mens backes, and the Captaine..before them making way.
c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) vi. 2549 Wher gold makes way Ther is no interruption.
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. II. 107 Hee seemes to thinke..that vertue had neede of delight, to make way for her into the soule.
1693 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §140 All the World forwardly joyn to oppose and defeat them: whilst the open, fair, wise Man has every Body to make way for him, and goes directly to his Business.
1714 A. Boyer Polit. State Great Brit. Sept. 255 The Two Marshals on Horseback, with their Men on Foot, to make Way.
1796 F. Burney Camilla III. vi. xi. 363 The Major could scarcely make way to her: the two men of the ton would not quit her, and Sir Sedley Clarendel appeared openly devoted to her.
1840 Amer. Misc. 2 279/1 The princess..ordered her lacquey to make way for her through the crowd.
1893 Month July 362 Two other subdeacons and an acolyte in an alb, with an oblationary to make way for them.
1917 Musical Q. 3 627 The walls of the old town, already overflowing its ancient ramparts, which were demolished in 1859 to make way for the Ring.
1979 J. Harvey Plate Shop vii. 34 Guidance was given and way made for the two blind telephonists to a sheltered corner table.
2007 Esquire Nov. 154/1 He claims to have discontinued the practice of closing whole streets to make way for his motorcade.
(ii) In imperative use. Cf. sense B. 1. [In quots. a1382 and 1531 apparently based on a misinterpretation of post-classical Latin viam facite (imperative plural) build a road (in viam facite, praebete iter build a road, prepare the way (Vulgate: Isaiah 57:14), after Hebrew sōllū-sōllū pannū-ḏāreḵ ‘build up, build up, prepare a highway’, lit. ‘cast up, cast up, prepare the way’ (in the passage translated); compare Coverdale's translation of the same passage: Make redy, make redy, and clense þe strete (1535)).]
ΚΠ
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. lvii. 14 Weie maketh, ȝyueth goyng, bowith doun fro the path.
1531 G. Joye tr. Prophete Isaye sig. Ov Make waye & geue rome.
a1669 J. Howard Eng. Mounsieur (1674) v. ii. 62 French. Make way English Clown. Wil. Wous, but we won't.
a1743 D. Neal Hist. Puritans (1855) II. iii. ix. 62/2 The passage being narrow, the beadle cried out, ‘Make way for Mr. Vice-chancellor’, which the visiters did.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iii. xxii. 370 Their Cryer calls out, Make way for the grand Jury.
1817 ‘H. Hedgehog’ Pavilion I. 143 Make way! make way! that they may have elbow-room and ear-room to attend to my master's lecture!
1902 W. M. Dixon Trinity Coll., Dublin vi. 137 Make way for the gentleman of the College!
1992 G. Vanderhaeghe Things as they Are? 72 Make way! Make way! Fighter coming through!
†(iii) With to, for, or infinitive. To make possible, facilitate; to lead to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > do or accomplish something easily [verb (intransitive)] > facilitate progress > specifically of an action or event
to make way1559
1559 W. Bavand tr. J. Ferrarius Common Weale ix. v. f. 207 Al soche opinions be well reproued, whiche made waie [L. fenestram aperuerunt], for the inducyng of heresies and sectes, so diuerse and daungerous, that if a wiseman might liue twoo hundred yeres, he were not able to haue a perfecte iudgemente in them.
1572 A. Golding tr. H. Bullinger Confut. Popes Bull f. 33v Not onely the Bishops of Rome, but also the Bishops of other Churches through the worlde..brought such other thinges of the same sort into the Church, which made way for worser thinges.
1582 R. Mulcaster 1st Pt. Elementarie iii. 15 All those exercises which confirm memorie, & make waie to further knowledge.
1646 H. Lawrence Of Communion & Warre with Angels 14 And this will not be unusefull to consider since it makes way to shew to what end they appeare and what they..can doe for us.
1680 W. Temple Ess. Cure of Gout in Miscellanea 194 About which time [sc. the age of forty] the natural heat beginning to decay, makes way for those distempers.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 417 This made way to more desperate undertakings.
1764 J. Murray Hist. Relig. (ed. 2) II. vi. 374 This made way for a farther display of Wolsey's power and influence.
1874 W. Stubbs Constit. Hist. I. iv. 61 The dislocated state of Britain seems, next to its desertion by the Romans, to have made way for the conquerors.
†(b) Of ground: to admit of being travelled over or through. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > admit of being travelled over or through
to make wayc1300
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Laud) (1901) 1489 Þe sond by gan to drye And hyt hym makede weye.
(c)
(i) To move from one's place so as to make room for someone else. Frequently with for.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > retire, withdraw, or retreat > out of the way
to give rooma1350
to stand backc1390
to make way?a1425
to stand aback?a1439
to make rooma1450
roomc1450
give wayc1515
to give by1633
shunt1869
to move over1914
extend2000
?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 120 He commaundez þe lordes þat rydez nere him to make way þat þa men of religioun may comme to him.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. ii. 110 Make way vnrulie woman. View more context for this quotation
1620 tr. G. Boccaccio Decameron I. ii. i. f. 29v You two thus sustaining me, desiring to come neere the Saint to cure me; euery one will make way, and freely giue you leaue to goe on.
1682 W. Glanius New Voy. E.-Indies iii. 65 Persons of Quality, when they go to Court, or through the Town, they have carried before them a Lance and a Sword sheathed in a black Velvet Scabbard, and by these Ensigns oblige all the Street to make way for them.
1739 J. Campbell Trav. of Edward Brown 393 The Crowd made Way for him as he passed.
1767 B. Thornton tr. Plautus Treasure ii. iv, in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus Comedies II. 33 Your great man if I meet, I make way for him, Give him the wall, shew him respect, but where The belly is concern'd, I will not yield An inch.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain I. vii. 127 A Portuguese or a Spaniard will seldom make way for a stranger, till called upon or pushed aside.
1868 ‘F. Fern’ Folly as it Flies 313 Let him rise again and make way for her, and then—let her bob off again.
1911 Gouldsbury & Sheane Great Plateau N. Rhodesia 259 If a young man sees his mother-in-law coming along the path, he must retreat into the bush and make way for her.
1978 T. Reich Mara (2001) ii. 91 He made way and they trooped by.
2002 Jewish Chron. 2 Aug. 39/4 Vehicles make way for a myriad street performers.
(ii) With for.
(1) Of a person: to vacate or be removed from a place or position in favour of a successor or substitute.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate office [verb (intransitive)] > to leave a place for a successor
to make way1626
1626 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. VIII. O.T. xxi. 453 How doth shee now (though too late) secretly chide her peeuish will, that had thus stript her of her royal crown, and made way for a more happy successor?
1648 M. Prideaux & J. Prideaux Easy & Compend. Introd. Hist. 268 He plungeth himselfe into all kinds of unnaturall Lust, which made him odious to his Subjects, and rendred him as a prey, to be intombed (as his father was) in the Paunches of wild beasts, to make way for a better successor, his sonne.
1655 D. M. in J. Spottiswood Hist. Church Scotl. sig. A5 Queen Elizabeth (after the glorious reign of fourty four years) by her death made way for King Iames her successor.
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 182 When my family..were thus turned out of doors, an old follower made way for them in his own cottage, and retired..to a cow-house hard by.
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia II. xv. 364 If they [sc. the philosophers] had no better Gospel than that to preach, they must make way for those who had.
1896 Law Times 100 407/2 At Durham..[Sir Charles] refused to stand, and his refusal made way for the present Lord Herschell.
1904 H. O. Sturgis Belchamber ii. 17 He decided that his rôle in life would be to die young, and make way for the younger brother.
1956 Times 15 Mar. 16/6 One of the five forwards dropped after the England match, C. C. Meredith, now makes way for Prosser.
2007 Ottawa Citizen (Nexis) 22 Mar. f4 He recently became executive chairman of Workstream, making way for a new CEO.
(2) gen. To be replaced by.
ΚΠ
1797 I. Wood Let. to W. Pulteney 30 The fairest prospects were opening before them, to be at one stroke overturned, in order to make way for so hazardous an experiment?
a1828 H. Neele Lit. Remains (1829) 33 The tragedies of Shakspeare were driven from the stage to make way for those of Addison and Rowe.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 151 His castle..has been wantonly destroyed to make way for one of the barbarous official buildings of modern France.
1871 Sat. Rev. 5 Aug. 169/1 The whole Controllery might..be cast aside to make way for something better.
1917 G. Lee Diary 13 Feb. in Home Fires Burning (2006) 206 The Game Laws of England! They too have had to make way for the necessities of England at war.
1964 H. Rosenthal & J. Warrack Conc. Oxf. Dict. Opera 259/2 The halting dramatic progress, with the plot continually arrested to make way for demonstrations of vocal skill.
1997 Independent on Sunday 11 May (Real Life section) 5/1 Fat is now a masculine issue and laddish hedonism is rapidly making way for lardish narcissism.
2014 New Yorker 5 May 85/3 As autumn makes way for winter, a plot stirs.
(d) To make progress on a journey or voyage. Often with modifying word, as to make good (also much, little, etc.) way. Cf. to make headway at headway n. 3.
(i) Nautical. Cf. sense A. 14.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)]
wadeOE
agoOE
forthganga1000
forthgoOE
syeOE
kenc1275
to-stepc1275
vaunce1303
forthnima1325
passc1330
throc1330
forthpass1382
to pass forthc1384
to carry forthc1390
proceedc1392
to go alongc1400
to be forthwardc1430
get) groundc1436
to set onc1450
avauntc1460
pretend1481
to make way1490
advance?1507
to get forward1523
promove1570
to rid ground (also space)1572
to rid (the) way1581
progressa1586
to gather grounda1593
to make forth1594
to make on1597
to work up1603
perge1607
to work one's (also its) way1609
to pass on1611
to gain ground1625
to make its way1645
vadea1660
propagate1700
to gain one's way1777
further1789
to pull up1829
on1840
to make (up) ground1921
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > make progress
enforcec1340
halec1400
to make way1490
heave1626
forge1769
walk1806
1490 W. Caxton tr. Boke yf Eneydos xxvii. sig. Giiijv Castyng her sight ferder towarde the see, she sawe the saylles wyth the slote of the shippes that made good waye.
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. viii. f. 61 Poris bent him self to encourage the mariners to hoyse by saile againe, and to make way with their oares into the sea.
1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 98 The windes and seas were high, yet we made some way.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. vi. 60 We seeing them prepare to assault vs, left our Oares and made way with our sayle to incounter them.
a1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1658) 1 The Winde..setled in the West for many dayes, so as we could make little or no way.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 29 Fetch the log-line to try what way shee makes.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 49 We lost our Main top Mast, so that after the Storm was over we could not make any Way.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §155 Our vessels..made better Way in a rough sea.
1837 F. Marryat Snarleyyow III. vii. 104 He stood up on the choak to ascertain what way she was making through the water.
1882 H. de Windt On Equator 75 The river, however, widened to nearly a mile in breadth..and we made better way.
1915 S. H. Carden in M. Gilbert Winston S. Churchill (1972) III. Compan. i. 405 Battleships preceded by sweepers making way up towards Narrows.
1975 J. Clavell Shōgun (1980) viii. 169 The oars dipped and pulled, but still the ship made no way.
1999 B. Unsworth Losing Nelson (2000) xiv. 162 The first days were calm; the ship made slow way, with light breezes puffing her sails.
(ii) gen.
ΚΠ
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxlv. f. clxviv/2 He made waye towarde Turney, In so moche yt the Uicount & his company demed them to haue returned to Turney.
?a1518 H. Watson Ualentyne & Orson (1555) xli. sig. Gg.iv They made so muche waye that they passed ouer these, and ouer dyuers wodes.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A8v He making speedy way through spersed ayre.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. i. 232 Waite you on him,..While I make way from hence to saue my life. View more context for this quotation
1725 J. Stevens Royal Treasury of Eng. 152 Before the Coach could make much way, that poor Fellow fell into another violent Fit of Laughter.
1743 H. Bracken Traveller's Pocket-farrier 16 This is a very bad Sort of a Breast for a Road-horse, or indeed, for any Horse that is designed to make good-way, as the Sailors term it.
1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i. in Lamia & Other Poems 160 Like a lithe serpent vast and muscular Making slow way, with head and neck convuls'd.
1883 F. M. Peard Contradictions i His companion..was making rapid way towards the point.
1912 A. Carter Seamless Robe (new ed.) xxxiv. 299 The turn of a sharp corner brought to view a farm cart making slow way towards them.
(iii) figurative and in extended use: to make progress, have success.
ΚΠ
?1561 I. D. tr. N. des Gallars True Rep. Doynges Assembly at Poyssy sig. B.ii He entreated also, and desyred Beza, that he would oftener talke and conferre with him, of these matters, that so at last, they myghte make some waye to peace and concorde.
a1628 J. Preston Treat. Effectuall Faith i. 29 in Breast-plate of Faith (1630) That which we said before to you, when wee shewed you the causes of the ineffectualnesse of faith, will make good way to this.
1738 W. Warburton Divine Legation Moses I. Advt. to Rdr. sig. A2 He must have more of the Confidence of a modern Writer than falls to his Share, to think of making much way with the feeble Effort of his own Reason.
1798 T. Wallace Ess. Manufacturers of Ireland iii. 152 With these advantages against him, the Irish manufacturer has long struggled, and in despite of them has made much way.
1820 W. Scott Monastery I. Introd. Ep. 56 So great is the difference betwixt reading a thing one's self, making toilsome way through all the difficulties of manuscript, and, as the man says in the play, ‘having the same read to you’.
1845 J. R. McCulloch Treat. Taxation iii. ii. 432 Should the system [of life annuities] not make any greater way than it has done, it may not..be worth objecting to.
1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xviii. 59 And he made no more way with his wooing. That was stopped, apparently, altogether.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. xxxix. 71 There are some signs the view is making way.
1902 Twentieth Cent. Nov. 785 Opera naturally has as yet made little way in the villages.
1999 S. Turow Personal Injuries 83 Rashul..tried to make way with Oretta, who had him by about thirty years.
†(e) To make a hole in or through something; to pierce. Also (with unto): to make an opening to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > make an opening or hole in or into
holec1000
openOE
to make way1581
perforate?1660
to make (also have) the sun shine through1679
ventilate1917
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades iv. 73 That of the staffe the steeled point made in his forehead way [Gk. πέρησε].
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Faire jour à, to make way vnto.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) ii. i. 154 With that word she stroke me on the head, And through the instrument my pate made way . View more context for this quotation
1639 R. Ward Animadversions of Warre i. xiv. ccl. 368 When the Enemy is come up at push of Pike, so close that the Pikemen can make no use of their Pikes, then these Flayles makes way through their Head-peeces and Armour.
†(f) With to. To approach (a person) with a view to establishing relations, entering into negotiations, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > move towards or approach (a thing, place, or person) [verb (transitive)] > approach and speak to
to venture on (also uponc1528
boarda1547
accost1567
affront1598
to make way1609
aboard1611
1609 ‘Philagathus’ tr. ‘Denakol’ No Parl. Powder 15 There hath beene a miserable custome, in saying; that men might goe of, and by themselues, to God, euen as by Earles and Princes, they can make way to Kings.
1630 J. Shirley Gratefull Seruant iv. 58 I haue prepar'd him, and made way to the Abbot, For your reception.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 481 I already have made way To some Philistian Lords, with whom to treat About thy ransom. View more context for this quotation
h. to make one's way. [Compare Anglo-Norman faire sa veie to set off (14th cent. or earlier), and also Middle French, French faire son chemin to proceed (15th cent.), to be successful (first half of the 17th cent.).]
†(a) To find the path or means to achieve an end (in quot.: to fortify oneself against sin, evil, etc.). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > find means to do something [verb (intransitive)]
to make one's waya1400
to find (the) moyen (also moyens)1449
to find the means (also mean)1461
to find means?1464
to see one's way1628
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 23179 Quat he war wijs þat moght Stedfast hald þis dai in thoght!.. For þan mund he her make his wai Fra wrak to were him on þat dai.
(b) To move forward, proceed; to travel, journey. Chiefly with preposition, esp. to, or adverb expressing direction. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > move in a certain direction [verb (intransitive)]
goeOE
wendOE
makeOE
aim?a1400
to make one's waya1425
reflect1547
work1566
to make up1596
path1597
sway1600
tend1648
vergea1661
steer1693
a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 250 (MED) Sone mi way to him I made.
?a1425 Mandeville's Trav. (Egerton) (1889) 156 I made my way..vnto Rome.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. iii. 7 b The rest then departed,..making their waye into the Sea, with a South southwest winde.
1668 Earl of Clarendon Contempl. Psalms in Tracts (1727) 473 Those who..make their way through a sea of blood and rapine to grasp an authority which belonged not to them.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 He makes his way o're Mountains, and contemns Unruly Torrents, and unfoorded Streams. View more context for this quotation
1836 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece III. 215 A very small number made their way to Ambracia.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iii. 366 Hardly any gentleman had any difficulty in making his way to the royal presence.
1864 A. Trollope Small House at Allington I. xxi. 214 Johnny made his way on to the road by a stile that led out of the copse.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vi. §4. 300 It was in despair of reaching Italy that the young scholar [sc. Erasmus] made his way to Oxford.
1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood xiv. 238 There are witnesses to depone to following you to the edge of the thing, as you made your way stealthily at dead of night.
1933 N.Y. Times 21 May ix. 4/2 From the station a neatly dressed, bespectacled ‘salary man’..makes his way home.
1990 J. M. Coetzee Age of Iron i. 19 I have cancer... It has made its way into the bone.
2010 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 81/1 His quirks are hard to miss as he makes his way to the first tee.
(c) to make the best of one's way (also †to make one's best way): to go as quickly as one can. Formerly also: †to decamp (obsolete). Chiefly with adverb or preposition expressing direction.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with urgent speed > go as quickly as one can
to make one's best way1579
to make the best of one's way1675
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 847 They made their best way [Fr. ilz entendirent] to saue them selues and their citie .
1675 W. Okeley Eben-Ezer i. 4 Whether to stay and speak with them, or to make the best of our way.
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 4 The next Day we again set Sail, and made the best of our way 'till we were forc'd, by contrary Winds, into St. Remo.
1716 London Gaz. No. 5450/2 Captain Vernon was ordered..to make the best of his Way to Sheerness.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. xv. 101 The Thief..without any Ceremony, stepped into the Street, and made the best of his Way . View more context for this quotation
1797 Gentleman's Mag. Oct. 877/1 I shall make the best of my way with them to the Nore.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xxiii. 219 With that they parted; Mr. Swiveller to make the best of his way home and sleep himself sober; and Quilp [etc.].
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby III. vii. iv. 131 Coningsby bade his friend farewell till the morrow, and made his best way to the Castle.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. vii. 154 The two brothers made the best of their way towards Bristol.
1906 Times 24 Nov. 3/4 St. Vincent's later orders..instructed him..to make the best of his way to Gibraltar and Cadiz.
2003 D. Cordingly Billy Ruffian 63 As they headed back from Ushant at the end of September, Lord Howe again made the signal for each ship to make the best of her way into Torbay.
†(d) With with. To establish a good relationship with, gain the favour of. Also †to make one's ways. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > be friendly [verb] > gain favour or establish relations
to make one's way1579
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 1002 He would see them safe, and helpe to hide them in some secret place, vntil they had made their way and peace with Cæsar [Fr. ilz eussent fait leur appointement auec Cæsar].
1595 W. Allen et al. Conf. Next Succession Crowne of Ingland ii. 84 Robert making his way with Phillip de Valoys that soone after came to be king of France, he assisted the said Phillip earnestly to bring him to the crowne.
1618 W. Raleigh Apol. Guiana in Wks. (1751) II. 250 It was bruited..that..being once at Liberty,..having made my Way with some foreign Prince, I would turn Pirate.
a1660 in J. T. Gilbert Contemp. Hist. Ireland (1880) II. 37 He made his waies with Colonell Monke, Governor of Dundalke, for the Parliament, and bought of him worth £1500 of amunition.
(e) To advance or improve oneself in terms of wealth, rank, social status, etc.; to become prosperous or successful by one's own efforts; to get on in the world.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > advance, progress, or develop [verb (intransitive)] > rise in prosperity, power, or rank
wax971
climba1240
forthgoa1325
arise1340
risec1390
increasea1425
to come upa1475
raise1490
clamber1576
to make one's way1579
grow1622
to get on (also up) in the world1791
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 835 They were all agreed together, euery man to put downe twelue Myriades & a halfe a peece, and then they should make their sute iustly & vprightly: and whosoeuer were taken fauty, and that had otherwise made his way by corruption [Fr. & qui se seroit aidé de corruption], that he should lose the money he had layed downe.
1601 F. Godwin Catal. Bishops of Eng. 447 Aldredus that being first a Monke of Winchester, then Abbot of Tauestock, was consecrate Bishop of Worceter the yeere 1046, making his way by money and bribes liberally bestowed amongst Courtiers.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxiv. 29 If thou dost As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way To noble fortunes. View more context for this quotation
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 123. ¶4 He was to make his Way in the World by his own Industry.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 219 I am not at all surprised that these Scots make their way in every quarter of the globe.
1839 C. M. S. Kirkland New Home (1855) 219 Many English families reside in our vicinity, some of them well calculated to make their way anywhere.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. ii. vi. 119 A young man who has his own way to make in life had better avoid all intimacy with those of his own age who have no kindred objects.
1935 C. Odets Waiting for Lefty in Waiting for Lefty & Other Plays (1993) 38 He scorns the inability of others to make their way in life, but he likes people for whatever good qualities they possess.
1960 H. Pinter Caretaker 51 If you got an older brother you want to push him, you want to see him make his way.
2005 D. le Vack God's Golden Acre ix. 71 He made his way in life successfully so that by the late 1930s,..he was a man with some prospects.
†(f) To force a path or way for oneself. Also figurative. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > forcibly
shovec888
thrustc1330
crowda1415
throngc1440
thrumble?a1513
to shoulder one's way1581
to make one's way1589
bear1594
push1602
jostle1622
force1653
way1694
squeeze1704
to push one's way1716
thrutchc1837
barge1888
1589 I. B. Mirrour to All that loue to follow Warres sig. A4 First brake his launce, and then, with sword he made his way: Emidst his foes in place, And did bestirre him so, As he whom Countries cause, made desperate on to go.
1656 A. Cowley To Sir W. Davenant 35 Thy Fancy like a Flame its way does make, And leave bright Tracks for following Pens to take.
1688 P. Rycaut tr. G. de la Vega Royal Comm. Peru (new ed.) v. xix. 796 Gonçalo Piçarro sent his Chaplain..to Diego Centeno, requiring him to permit him a free passage to depart, and not force him to make his way by Battel.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vi. 63 But if they compell'd him to make his way, and enter the Town by force, it would not be in his power to keep his Soldiers from taking that which they should win with their blood.
(g) Esp. of an opinion, idea, etc.: to gain acceptance; to become popular or widespread. Chiefly in to make its way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)]
wadeOE
agoOE
forthganga1000
forthgoOE
syeOE
kenc1275
to-stepc1275
vaunce1303
forthnima1325
passc1330
throc1330
forthpass1382
to pass forthc1384
to carry forthc1390
proceedc1392
to go alongc1400
to be forthwardc1430
get) groundc1436
to set onc1450
avauntc1460
pretend1481
to make way1490
advance?1507
to get forward1523
promove1570
to rid ground (also space)1572
to rid (the) way1581
progressa1586
to gather grounda1593
to make forth1594
to make on1597
to work up1603
perge1607
to work one's (also its) way1609
to pass on1611
to gain ground1625
to make its way1645
vadea1660
propagate1700
to gain one's way1777
further1789
to pull up1829
on1840
to make (up) ground1921
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > progress or advance in an action [verb (intransitive)] > make progress or advance (of action or operation)
fremec1000
furtherc1200
profit1340
to go onc1449
grow1487
to commence to, intoa1500
framea1529
to get ground?1529
movec1540
work1566
promove1570
advance1577
devolve1579
to come on1584
progress1612
to gain ground1625
germinate1640
proceed1670
to gather ground1697
march1702
to make its way1711
to come forward1722
develop1744
to turn a wheel1864
shape1865
come1899
1645 Rev. Pamphlet of J. Lilburne 2 The fourth Complaint making it's way, is, the robbing you of your liberty in the publique use of the Presse.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 119. ¶6 This infamous Piece of Good Breeding, which reigns among the Coxcombs of the Town, has not yet made its way into the Country.
1770 F. Warner Hist. Ireland II. ix. 274 Superstition as usual had made its way.
1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 415 It might have been anticipated that Luther's doctrines would have made their way early among this little colony of his countrymen.
1874 J. T. Micklethwaite Mod. Parish Churches 80 Brass instruments have already begun to make their way.
1911 Encycl. Brit. XXVI. 5/2 The view that women should be admitted to hold land on certain occasions had made its way in England as early as Anglo-Saxon times.
1987 C. Achebe Anthills of Savannah iv. 53 Within a week it spread to members of the Cabinet and down to the Bassa cocktail set. From there it made its way..into the general community.
2015 Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.) (Nexis) 2 Feb. As science and knowledge of nutrition has advanced, the ideas have made their way into the classroom.
†i. With †nim.
(a) to nim one's way: = Phrases 1l(a). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Domitian A.viii) anno 1009 Æfter Cristes mæssan hi naman heora weg to Oxanaforda wyrd & farbærndon þa burh.
c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) 1136 Alle gate he nom his wei bi niȝte that he awaited nere.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 11188 (MED) Is wei he nom bi oxenford, ac þe borgeis anon Þe ȝates made aȝen him.
a1500 (?a1400) Stanzaic Life of Christ (Harl. 3909) (1926) 2131 So by a sterre thidder thay coom..and hoom hor way thay noom.
(b) to nim the way: = Phrases 1l(b)(i). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
c1300 St. Mathias (Laud) 15 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 390 Into þe londe of Iudee seint Mathie þene wei nam.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 11255 (MED) To þe castel med wiþoute toun þun wei sone he nom.
j. to pay one's way.
(a) To defray the costs and expenses of one's journey. Later also: to meet the costs associated with a course of action, esp. a period of study at a college or university.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > [verb (intransitive)] > pay expenses of travel
to pay one's way1634
1634 P. Harris Fratres Sobrii Estote v. 73 Being prevented by death before he could pay his way, & bid his friends farewell in Rome.
1685 N. Tate Cuckolds-Haven ii. ii. 21 Come Gentlemen, shall we dispatch? to the Tavern I know our noble Knight will pay his Way.
a1825 Willie Wallace vi, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1889) III. vi. 271/2 Take ye that, ye belted knight, 'T will pay your way till ye come down.
1897 Southeastern Reporter 25 665 Why didn't you give him the money to pay your way to Marietta when you could not find your ticket?
1901 Ld. Milner Let. in J. A. Smith John Buchan (1979) 34/2 You will have to pay your own way out—about £60 tout compris.
1911 Pract. Druggist Sept. 25/1 At..St. Johnsbury College Preparatory College he paid his way by sawing wood, doing odd jobs around town, conducting a boarding club, etc.
1961 J. Carew Last Barbarian 56 Two years in America struggling to pay his way through university had rubbed off some of his pride.
2002 Rolling Stone 28 Feb. 38/3 He was going to pay his way through college, and he was going to become a rock star. Or a lawyer.
2011 Independent 29 Sept. (Viewspaper section) 14/5 Marcel..had to pay her own way to Los Angeles and hawk the script around the major networks.
(b) To succeed in paying one's expenses as they arise, without incurring debts; to be financially self-supporting. Later also: to pay one's share or contribution without sponging off others.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > solvency > be solvent [verb (intransitive)]
able to tine or win1340
to have (also get) beforehand1526
to keep (also hold, etc.) one's head above water1608
to pay one's way1786
1786 J. Cobb Strangers at Home ii. 33 For my part, I had rather pay my own way in Florence, than be treated so by the best Algerine of 'em all!
1796 J. G. Holman Abroad & at Home ii. iv. 52 Never be in debt longer than you can help. Always pay your way.
1803 G. Colman John Bull ii. iii. 28 I earned my fair profits, I paid my fair way.
1858 A. Trollope Three Clerks I. iii. 41 Mrs. Woodward..had there maintained a good repute, paying her way from month to month as widows with limited incomes should do.
1872 J. Yeats Growth Commerce 249 By reforming the laws, and checking monopolies, he enabled the kingdom to pay its way without grinding the poor.
1899 Lady M. Verney Verney Mem. IV. 155 By great economy John has just paid his way.
1912 B. Thomas Picture Tales from Welsh Hills 17 He never took the faintest interest in anything or anybody here, but was always civil-spoken and always paid his way.
1998 C. Aherne et al. Royle Family Scripts: Series 1 (1999) Episode 3. 69 Sound fellow, liked his ale, always paid his way, stood his corner, paid half towards our wedding.
(c) to pay its way: (of a business venture) to make a profit (or at least break even) rather than making a loss; to be financially viable.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > solvency > be solvent [verb (intransitive)] > of a business undertaking
to pay its way1799
1799 in R. Brown Gen. View Agric. W. Riding Yorks. xiii. 183 If it [sc. clover] is only of double value, the farm will be loosing one third part of what it should make to pay its way.
1848 L. M. Sargent Temperance Tales II. 287 All this ere philanthropy business must pay its own way..; folks are tolerably ready to come to the meetings, but they're awful afeard o' the cost on 'em.
1885 Times (Weekly ed.) 2 Oct. 15/3 The pier has never come near paying its way.
1892 Law Times Rep. 67 139/1 It seems to me a most reasonable thing for a person applying for shares to look for a guarantee of interest until the concern can pay its own way.
1937 Life 13 Sept. 41/2 (caption) To enable it to pay its way, golf-minded steelworkers must put up $100 for initiation fee.
1989 I. Taylor George Eliot (1990) viii. 94 The magazine never paid its way..and it had to be kept afloat by regular injections of capital from sponsors.
2003 High Country News 20 Jan. 2/2 If the site is going to survive for the long haul, it needs to start paying its way.
k. to see one's way.
(a) To have a view of the road or path one needs to follow and, therefore, be able to proceed without wandering, stumbling, etc.
ΚΠ
?1561 T. Blundeville Newe Bk. Arte of Ryding ii. sig. Ev It shall be best at the firste, not to treade oute the ringes with a trotte, but rather with a softe pace, vntill the path be somwhat beaten, that he may see hys waye where he goeth.
a1602 W. Perkins Lect. Three First Chapters Reuelation (1604) i. 86 A man if he haue one to hold him out a candle in winter, that he may see his way to go whither he would, he taketh this as a great benefit.
1668 J. Beale Let. 4 July in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1967) IV. 506 To afford them light enough to see their way.
1707 J. Norris Pract. Treat. Humility viii. 339 The proud man holds up his head too high to see his way.
1771 G. Lyttelton Hist. Henry II III. 147 There arose so thick a fog, that they could hardly see their way.
1833 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 254/1 My eyes had a little recovered from the effects of the excessive light, and I was able to see my way into the country.
1889 R. Collinson & T. B. Collinson Jrnl. H.M.S. Enterprise 1850–55 294 We..were..unable to see our way among the sconces [i.e. icebergs], and..I hove-to for daylight.
1961 N. Roy Black Albino 45 A yellowish flame which was barely enough to light up the small room for the occupants to see their way about.
2003 F. Shaw Sweetest Thing 312 The snow was falling so hard, in thick shapeless flakes, no grace to them, it was all I could do to see my way round past the station and on to The Mount.
(b) figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > find means to do something [verb (intransitive)]
to make one's waya1400
to find (the) moyen (also moyens)1449
to find the means (also mean)1461
to find means?1464
to see one's way1628
1628 Looke vp & see Wonders 2 So blinde are wee in the vnderstanding of Heauenly matters, that wee cannot see our way to Goodnesse.
1680 tr. P. Nicole Moral Ess. iii. 207 The knowledge of the need and want of efficacious Grace, to act like a Christian, doth indeed never puzle those who hearken to and follow Reason; because they always see their way.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 114 To what purpose could be all our Consultations? we could neither of us see our way thro' it, or how it could be safe to open such a Scene to him.
1774 E. Burke Let. 25 Sept. in Corr. (1844) I. 480 I must see my way much more clearly before me, before I take any other step in that business.
1775 E. Burke Speech Resol. for Concil. Colonies 41 I do not absolutely assert the impracticability of such representation [of the Colonies]. But I do not see my way to it.
1823 J. Keble Serm. (1848) iii. 64 To see his way safely, if not clearly or comfortably, through all the snares of error and disputation.
1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 405 Simple fighting John Bull can understand, but in a negotiation he can't see his way.
1865 Mrs. C. J. Newby Common Sense III. lv. 44 I feel that I know my business pretty well already, and that I begin to see my way.
1886 Manch. Examiner 16 Jan. 5/4 Lord Salisbury has at last seen his way to the final choice of a bishop for Manchester.
1922 Hansard Commons 1 May 1077 I should have been glad if the Chancellor of the Exchequer could have seen his way to the entire abolition of that most unequal and, as I think, iniquitous imposition.
1981 A. J. P. Taylor Let. July in Lett. to Eva (1991) 438 I have stocked up for the weekend and see my way clear until Pisti's departure.
1998 P. Gourevitch We wish to inform You xvi. 249 Rwanda's new leaders were trying to see their way around this problem by describing the genocide as a crime committed by masterminds and slave bodies.
(c) spec. With infinitive or to and gerund as complement. To feel that it is possible or convenient to do something; to be prepared to do something. Frequently in to see one's way (clear) to. Chiefly in negative, conditional, or interrogative contexts, often in polite requests.
ΚΠ
1744 Christian Hist. 18 Feb. 404 A considerable Number that have owned the Covenant and been baptised, that have not seen their Way clear to come to the Ordinance of the holy Supper.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan 136 It may be well for them, whose consciences are not so tender, I opinion, to notify such, as they may see their way clear so to do.
1870 J. H. Newman Ess. Gram. Assent ii. ix. 353 Laud said that he did not see his way to come to terms with the Holy See, till Rome was ‘other than she is’.
1875 A. Helps Social Pressure ii. 24 The neighbours do not see their way to altering it.
1885 Law Times 79 342/1 He did not see his way clear to allow their names to remain upon the register.
1902 in Corr. Railway Constr. Nigeria (1905) 90 His Excellency trusts that you will be able to see your way to representing the fatuity of selecting a place for a bridge and wasting money on a southwards survey from thence.
1933 D. Thomas Coll. Lett. (1987) 20 If you could see your way clear to publish any of these poems, or find in them sufficient merit to warrant the reading of some more, you would be doing me a very great favour.
1995 Times 18 Jan. 18/4 When we've moved, I might just see my way to opening it.
2014 Canberra Times (Nexis) 27 Sept. b4 Could you see your way clear to handing some of the controls over to me, the user?
l. With take. Cf. earlier use with nim ( Phrases 1i).
(a) to take one's way. To set out on a journey; to journey, travel. [Compare Anglo-Norman prendre sa veie and Middle French, French prendre sa voie (14th cent. or earlier), and also Anglo-Norman emprendre sa veie (mid 13th cent. or earlier).]
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > go on a journey
ferec950
foundOE
sitheOE
to come upOE
comeOE
undernimc1275
to take or make (a, the, or one's) voyage1297
travelc1300
journeyc1330
to take one's waya1375
reisea1387
to fare a waya1400
voyage1477
wayfare1534
peregrinate1593
sojourn1608
to fare a voyage1609
to journey itc1680
to take one's foot in one's hand1755
stroke1823
trek1850
peruse1895
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > set out
forthfarec888
foundOE
seta1000
to go forthOE
to fare forthc1200
partc1230
to pass forthc1325
to take (the) gatec1330
to take the wayc1330
to take one's waya1375
puta1382
treunt?a1400
movec1400
depart1490
prepare?1518
to set forth1530
to set forward(s)1530
busklea1535
to make out1558
to take forth1568
to set out1583
sally1590
start1591
to go off1600
to put forth1604
to start outa1626
intend1646
to take the road1720
to take one's foot in one's hand1755
to set off1774
to get off1778
to set away1817
to take out1855
to haul out1866
to hit the trail (less commonly the grit, pike, road, etc.)1873
to hit, split or take the breeze1910
hop1922
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1054 Eiþer tok tit is way to his owne chaumber.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 327 After þe enterment þe kyng tok his way, To þe south he went þorgh Lyndesay.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Hengwrt) (2003) §836 And right anon they tooken hir wey to the court of Melibe.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope vii. f. cxlv Sayenge these wordes [the foxe] toke his waye & ranne as fast as he myght.
a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1909) III. 588 And they came forth at þe south durre in þe Mynstere & toke their wey thurgh the newe bildyng downe þe Bailly-lane.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 93/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Taking hys way to Downemore..where hee lay at Chirurgerie.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xlviii. sig. D2v How carefull was I when I tooke my way, Each trifle vnder truest barres to thrust. View more context for this quotation
1644 J. Vicars Jehovah-jireh 149 Lord Paulet..took his way toward Myneard.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xii. 649 They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow, Through Eden took thir solitarie way . View more context for this quotation
1704 J. Dennis Liberty Asserted iii. vi. 37 This moment to my Troops, I take my way, I doubt the French, and dare no longer Stay.
1768 T. Gray Descent of Odin in Poems 88 Onward still his way he takes.
a1838 Bushes & Briers (single sheet) Through bushes and through briers, I lately took my way.
1893 J. Ashby-Sterry Naughty Girl xviii. 157 As she took her way sadly and slowly down the pier.
1908 W. Churchill Mr. Crewe's Career xi. 167 Austen took his way slowly across the State-house park.
a1944 F. B. Farris From Rattlesnakes to Road Agents (1985) 123 Then I packed my trunk and took my way back to the rancho.
2006 New Yorker 24 Apr. 118/2 I took my way to her through traffic.
(b) to take the way.
(i) To take a road or route leading to a specified place. Cf. take v. 65a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operate [verb (intransitive)] > without interference
to take the wayc1330
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)] > set out
forthfarec888
foundOE
seta1000
to go forthOE
to fare forthc1200
partc1230
to pass forthc1325
to take (the) gatec1330
to take the wayc1330
to take one's waya1375
puta1382
treunt?a1400
movec1400
depart1490
prepare?1518
to set forth1530
to set forward(s)1530
busklea1535
to make out1558
to take forth1568
to set out1583
sally1590
start1591
to go off1600
to put forth1604
to start outa1626
intend1646
to take the road1720
to take one's foot in one's hand1755
to set off1774
to get off1778
to set away1817
to take out1855
to haul out1866
to hit the trail (less commonly the grit, pike, road, etc.)1873
to hit, split or take the breeze1910
hop1922
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > to do something
to bear one's heartc1175
to take the wayc1330
to be (later also to have it) in purpose1340
bend1567
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1708 (MED) Gij him spedde niȝt & day; Into Inglond he toke þe way.
a1350 (a1250) Harrowing of Hell (Harl.) (1907) 39 (MED) In godhed toke he þen way þat to helle gates lay.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 458 The Constable and his wyf also And Custaunce han ytake the righte way Toward the see.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 146 All him alane the way he tais Towart the towne off Louchmabane.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxii. 215 They departyd & tooke the way towardes Rome.
1566 J. Studley tr. Seneca Agamemnon v. iv. sig. G.vv I will before you take the waye, these tydynges fyrste to tell Unto my contrey men of Troy.
1651 tr. F. de Quintana Hist. Don Fenise iv. 279 For your sake I will againe take the way to Madrid, hoping there to procure you that contentment which you desire from Don Antonio.
1765 I. Bickerstaff Maid of Mill iii. ix. 68 I'll take the way to the castle, as well as the rest.
1800 W. Scott Eve St. John 6 O! fear not the Priest,..For to Dryburgh his way he has ta'en.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus xx Here the anchorite bade God speed him, and, turning his steps back again, took the way to his hut.
1880 H. W. Bellew Races of Afghanistan xi. 107 He took the way to Kandahar by Sistan, and was murdered in that district by a petty Baloch chief.
1921 H. Gerard tr. A. Maurel Fortnight in Naples ix. 248 Ferdinand saw himself taking the way to Varennes—if the people did not tear him to pieces!
a1998 R. Godden Summer Diary in Coromandel Sea Change (2004) 268 We got up early and after breakfast broke camp and took the way to Lidderwat.
†(ii) To set out on a journey. Cf. to take one's way at Phrases 1l(a). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
?a1525 (c1450) Christ's Burial & Resurrection ii. l. 983 in F. J. Furnivall Digby Plays (1896) 205 Then let vs tak þe way furth strayte.
†(iii) With infinitive as complement. To set out on or undertake a course of action in order to achieve a specified goal. Also without complement: to proceed without interference; to take its course. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1581 R. Parsons Brief Censure sig. C.iij God forgeue you, for abusing so much these learned men. Marie you take the waye to ouermatch both learninge and trueth too, if you may haue your desire.
1595 M. Mosse Arraignm. Usurie i. 5 The vsurer careth not who waxeth poore so he may grow rich, nay taketh the way to deuoure the poore.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Qq4 That opinion..hath beene of ill desert, towardes Learning, as that which taketh the way, to reduce Learning to certaine emptie and barren Generalities. View more context for this quotation
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Theodore & Honoria in Fables 262 Give me leave to seize my destin'd Prey, And let eternal Justice take the way.
1751 E. Moore Gil Blas iv. 55 He took the Way to bewitch the Maid too—for I saw him put a swinging Purse into her Hand.
1838 J. S. Knowles Love-chase v. iii. 65 And did I yet give up? I took the way To make her love me.
†(c) to take way of: to take spiritual direction or guidance from. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 340 Þe þridde part of þe Chirche fiȝtiþ here aftir Crist, and takiþ ensaumple and weie of him to come to hevene as he cam.
m. to blaze the way: see blaze v.3 to clear a way: see clear v. 10a. to fetch way: see fetch v. 10d. to gather way: see gather v. 9. to give way: see give v. Phrases 1f. to lead the way: see lead v.1 2e. to pave the way: see pave v. 3. to prepare the way: see prepare v. 1c.
P2. Prepositional phrases.
a. across (also over) the way: on the opposite side of the street; (also more widely) nearby.
ΚΠ
1609 W. Rowley Search for Money 4 What if we enquir'd at the Shoomakers ouer the way?
1655 tr. C. Sorel Comical Hist. Francion vii. 16 At last the Maid Servant..did acquaint her with the great love which her Neighbour over the way did bear unto her.
1755 T. Smollett tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote II. iii. xvii. 302 This gentleman has been at play at that there gaming-house over the way.
1792 M. Flinders Diary 11 Mar. in Gratefull to Providence (2009) II. 106 I intend this spring to make a thorough repair of my Cottages across the way, viz. to wholly brick the front.
1834 C. Dickens Let. 3 Sept. (1965) I. 41 There is a coach-office carrier delivering a hamper over the way.
1880 Harper's Mag. June 75/1 I only knew that a nice boy across the way seemed very fond of those little Indian turnips.
1943 K. Tynan Let. 13 Sept. (1994) i. 8 There is a mad cow in the barn, a bull that brays in the next field, and a lovely girl in the cottage over the way.
1995 B. Bryson Notes from Small Island (1996) xxvii. 323 I..passed the time between nibbles watching a white-haired couple at a table across the way.
2005 T. Hall Salaam Brick Lane ii. 31 Which neighbours, he asks! Them! Across the way. They see everything.
b. by the way.
(a) Alongside or near the road; by the roadside. Now chiefly figurative in to fall by the way: to fail or be unable to persist or continue (cf. to fall (also go) by the wayside at wayside n. and adj. Phrases). In early use also †by way.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > road > [adverb] > by the roadside
by the wayeOE
eOE tr. Orosius Hist. (BL Add.) (1980) iii. ix. 70 Þa for he wið his mid siex hund monna & funde hiene ænne be wege [L. in itinere] licgan, mid sperum tosticad, healfcucne.
OE Blickling Homilies 15 Þa sæt þær sum blind þearfa be ðon wege.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13282 Whaðer heo liue weoren þa heo bi wæie [c1300 Otho weie] læien.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8055 A riche man was þar bi wai Was seke, to him þan turnd þai.
a1500 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Hunterian) (1976) i. 91 (MED) For þis skyl been crossys made be þe weye, þat qhanne pasyng folk seen þe cros þey shuldyn thynkyn on hym.
1550 R. Crowley One & Thyrtye Epigrammes sig. Aviiiv Than by the waye syde hym chaunced to se A pore manne that craued of hym for charitie Whye (quod thys Marchaunt)..Do ye begge by the waye.
1578 W. Hunnis Hyue Full of Hunnye xxxviii. f. 95v Supposing her a common Fylth as by the way doth lye.
1612 W. Shute tr. T. de Fougasses Gen. Hist. Venice i. 321 The Footmen who were hidden by the way in the bushes & shrubs, did in short space with their darts and arrowes make a great slaughter of Horse.
a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) viii. 194 We were afraid he had either perished, or was lying by the way unable to help himself.
1817 Edinb. Monthly Mag. Sept. 614/1 He attempted to get into the house, that the soldiers might not be discouraged at the sight of his dead body, but fell by the way.
1836 Knickerbocker Mar. 305 The bale bounces off in its passage, either sticking amongst the trees by the way, or rolling headlong into the river.
1879 R. Jefferies Wild Life ii. 21 I passed flocks of dying sheep: in the hollows by the way their skeletons were here and there to be seen.
1916 J. Baldwin Fifty Famous Rides & Riders 124 Men and boys were waiting at the crossroads, or sitting on the fences by the way, or loitering upon their doorsteps.
1931 J. D. Hicks Populist Revolt ii. 51 The new politicians, recruited to take the places of such of the older leaders as fell by the way.
1993 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 26 July a4 The long columns of Hindus streaming out of East Pakistan into India..with the vultures wheeling overhead and the stray dogs attacking those who fell by the way.
1997 C. C. Robertson Trouble showed Way vii. 271 Among Nairobi marketwomen..the gerontocratic aspects of female leadership have fallen by the way as they have elsewhere in Kenyan society.
(b) On, or in the course of, one's journey; on one's way. In early use †by way. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > on or in the course of a journey [phrase]
in the (also one's) wayOE
by the wayOE
by wayOE
on (also upon) the (also one's) wayOE
in the mean way1569
en route1779
OE West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) x. 4 Ne bere ge sacc..ne nanne man be wege [L. per viam] ne gretað.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1096 Ac þes folces þe be Hungrie for, fela þusenda þær & be wæge earmlice forforan.
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 1208 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 141 (MED) Þov hauest selde i-seiȝe Þene Erchebischop of caunterburi wende in swuche manere bi weie.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 115 Þe kyng..wente homwarde, and was i-slawe by þe weie.
c1450 (a1400) R. Lavynham Treat. Seven Deadly Sins (Harl. 211) (1956) 13 (MED) It greuyth þe hownd þt a man gooth be þe way þowh þt man do hym noon harm & ellis wolde he not berken vp on hym.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Aiiv The rauens fedde him [sc. Elias] by the way.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iv. i. 197 Lets follow him, and by the way lets recount our dreames. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 450 His Act did not ore-take his bad intent, And must be buried but as an intent That perish'd by the way . View more context for this quotation
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 204 By the way, in this mornings journey, we did see Weyssenburg, a free but not imperiall City.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 182 Nor is it possible to describe..what strange unaccountable Whimsies came into my Thoughts by the Way.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World II. 139 They always grow young by the way.
1875 J. D. Caton Summer in Norway xxiv. 399 We took a carriage and passed over the Furka pass, stopping by the way to visit the Rhone glacier.
1898 M. Pemberton Phantom Army i. vii It had been in his mind when he rode out of Zaragoza that he would find an early opportunity by the way to question the gipsy.
1907 J. J. Hissey Leisurely Tour in Eng. i. 7 I would prefer to travel with a dog of the right sort to venturing with an untried human companion any day—at least you cannot fall out with a dog by the way.
1922 S. Thurber & A. B. de Mille in W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream (new ed.) App. 99 So at least the Lovers think as they follow on to Athens and happiness, talking by the way of the strange occurrences of the vanished night.
(c) figurative with reference to discourse. Cf. Phrases 2b(f).
(i) Incidentally, in passing; as an aside or digression.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [adverb] > in passing
by the way?1520
in passing by1598
passant1602
passantly1602
in passage1605
in the bygoing1637
obviously1658
by the by?1710
passingly1836
in passing1849
?1520 R. Pynson tr. Frère Hayton Lytell Cronycle f. xxxiiiv/2 It is to knowe by the way that Godfray de bullyen & other pylgrims, in that tyme kept as I beleue parfetly the passage generall myght go lightly to the cytie of Constantynople.[No corresponding sentence in the French original.]
c1525 J. Rastell Of Gentylnes & Nobylyte sig. B.ivv I holde you bothe mad ye be lyke some woman that I knowe well when they wolde any matter vnto a man tell They wyll tell .xx. talys by the way Nothynge to purpose to the matter that they Dyd furst intend to tell and declare.
1556 R. Robinson tr. T. More Utopia (ed. 2) sig. Cv Landlordes by the wai checked for Rent-raisyng.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 45 Whiche I thought meete to touch briefly by the way.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 136 Shee is pretty, and honest, and gentle, and one that is your friend, I can tell you that by the way . View more context for this quotation
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 100 They are inferred often by the way for illustration sake.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 228 And now by the way I recall the aforesayd Turke.
1731 Art of Drawing & Painting in Water-colours 32 But we must take this by the Way, that in the refining of it, two Ounces will not produce above 40 Grains of good Colour.
1847 H. Goodwin Serm. 1st Ser. viii. 131 I would hint to you by the way, that we are perhaps not fair judges of our own actions.
1900 Junior Photographer June 240/1 A correspondent writes to know where it is to be obtained, even suggesting by the way that we might reprint it in our pages.
1990 C. P. Caswell Stud. Thumos in Early Greek Poetry ii. 5 Erwin Rohde discussed at length the problem of the Homeric concepts of death and the soul in his monumental work Psyche, dealing by the way as it were with the problem of θυμός.
(ii) Used parenthetically to introduce a change of topic or a remark incidentally or as an aside. Abbreviated btw (see BTW adv. at B n. Additions).
ΚΠ
1560 J. Jewel Serm. sig. E.viiv in J. Jewel & H. Cole True Copies Lett. Firste by the way, before I enter nere into the matter, the praiers that be vsed in the Masse bee commen, aswell to the people, as to the priest.
1562 A. Golding tr. Briefe Treat. Burnynge Bucer & Phagius sig. Bviv But by the way, if these thinges were graunted to be the dalyance of fortune, they had abiden more greuous hurts both of religion and conscience.
a1631 J. Donne Βιαθανατος (1647) ii. iv. §1 Though, by the way, this may not passe so generally, but that it must admit the exception, which the Rule of Law upon which it is grounded, carries with it.
1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 46 I mean besides the Chorus, or the Monologues, which by the way, show'd Ben. no enemy to this way of writing.
1754 E. Burt Lett. N. Scotl. II. xix. 97 By the Way, altho' the Weather was not warm, he was without Shoes, Stockings, or Breeches.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 327 This, by the way, was another bit of diplomacy.
1884 H. R. Haggard Dawn II. vi. 75 By the way, talking of letters, there was one came for you this morning in your Cousin Philip's handwriting.
1897 G. B. Shaw Let. 5 Aug. (1965) I. 792 The tiredness, by the way, is maladie du pays.
1902 Boston Evening Transcript 23 July 20/3 The name of the masts, by the way, are in order, fore, main, mizzen, spanker, jigger, driver, and pusher.
1987 Green Cuisine Feb. 8/3 Frushie, by the way, is a Scots word meaning crumbly.
2011 Private Eye 27 May 9/1 Oh, by the way, I'm opening on Oxford Street so there may be a bit of a spotlight on us.
(iii) In predicative use or as complement: not directly pertinent to the matter; said in passing or as an aside or digression.
ΚΠ
1564 T. Dorman Proufe Certeyne Articles in Relig. f. 95v This is yow saie but by the waie, before yow entre into the matter.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 46 Also, a word by the way, touching the Mediterranean Sea in possession of the Romanes.
1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 5 But this by the way, let us now proceed.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 286 However, I allow'd Liberty of Conscience throughout my Dominions: But this is by the Way.
1830 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 28 247/1 However, all this is by the way; for, though my statement of Kant's system will be very different..yet [etc.]
1894 Pick-me-up 3 Nov. 78/1 But this by the way.
1904 F. C. Burnand Rec. & Reminisc. II. 285 But this by the way.
1983 J. Melville Sayonara, Sweet Amaryllis x. 52 ‘We've met before.’ Kimura shrugged. ‘Very probable... However, that's by the way.’
1997 J. Ryan Dismantling Mr Doyle xi. 150 Still, she proceeded to get out of the car as though what Eve had said was just by-the-way.
(d) Without giving one's full attention; (later) spec. as a secondary or subordinate task.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [phrase] > by chance
by perchance1495
at a venture1517
per accidens1528
at hazard (also hazards)a1533
at random1543
by occasion1562
at range1568
by the way1572
by (also at) (a) peradventurea1586
hit or miss1609
at the by1611
hob-nob1660
hit and miss1897
1572 J. Bridges tr. R. Gwalther Hundred, Threescore & Fiftene Homelyes vppon Actes Apostles ii. 91 He is not content to be hearde onely by the way, as of men that are otherwyse occupied [L. modo tanquam ab aliud agentibus audiri], but diligently, and wyll haue it layde vp in their myndes.
1599 J. Minsheu Percyvall's Dict. Spanish & Eng. 113/2 Entreoýr, to ouerheare, to heare vnawares, or by the way.
a1708 W. Beveridge Thes. Theologicus (1711) III. 265 It is not to be done by the way, but with all our might.
1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War I. 91 Maritime skill is..not a thing to be cultivated by the way [ἐκ παρέργου] or at chance times.
(e) Not directly from the original or authoritative source of information. rare.Quot. 1985 is a modern retelling of Macbeth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > indirect action or process > [adverb]
sidelya1425
through the sides of?1560
collaterally1610
by the waya1616
sidewise1654
secretly1656
slantinglya1677
ambagiously1678
circuitously1797
sideways1876
in-circle1883
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iv. 129 Macb. How say'st thou that Macduff denies his person At our great bidding. La. Did you send to him Sir? Macb. I heare it by the way: But I will send. View more context for this quotation
1985 L. Garfield Shakespeare's Stories 282 ‘Did you send to him Sir?’ ‘I heard it by the way,’ he said; ‘but I will send.’
(f) attributive (with hyphens). Incidental, casual; made or done in passing or en route. Originally and chiefly with reference to a remark or comment (cf. Phrases 2b(c)(ii)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adjective] > random or haphazard
uncertain1303
casualc1460
haphazard1576
roving1577
hazardous1585
chanceful1594
firmless1605
random1655
temerarious1660
aleatory1693
contingent1703
unlawed1789
by the way1846
chancy1860
fluky1880
hitty-missy1885
perchance1891
happenchance1905
happenstance1905
willy-nilly1933
1846 Chambers' Edinb. Jrnl. 24 Oct. 281/1 But a word or two, in a by-the-way manner, upon the peculiarities of orchideous plants, will render our sketch of them more intelligible.
1870 A. D. T. Whitney We Girls ii. 29 At parting she..said..in an off-hand, by-the-way fashion,—‘Ruth, why won't you come over to-night?’
1881 F. Hueffer Wagner 32 The introduction in a by-the-way manner of the two great religious principles appears not particularly happy.
1881 G. Saintsbury Dryden i. 21 The ordinary prose style of the day..indulged..in every détour and involution of second thoughts and by-the-way qualifications.
1946 Queen's Med. Mag. 39 17 In this short article are recounted a few by-the-way incidents of a very strenuous eighteen months.
1971 L. Casson Ships & Seamanship Anc. World xi. 260 The evidence, for the most part by-the-way remarks in literature.., is vague or inconclusive or downright contradictory.
2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 8 Oct. 23/4 Gus makes a few by-the-way visits to favoured people, some of whom have appeared before.
c. by way of (formerly also †by the way of). As a compound preposition, usually with no article before the governed noun. [Compare Anglo-Norman par veie de as an example or equivalent of (1321 or earlier), by a particular route, via (1382 or earlier), by means of, through (c1393 or earlier), par veie (with adjective or clause) by (a particular kind of) means (a1307 or earlier).]
(a) As a form or example of; in the capacity or with the function of; as something equivalent to. Also occasionally: as a means of (cf. Phrases 2f(d)).by way of excellence, excellency, eminence, eminency: see the nouns.
ΚΠ
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 38 Also þese bretherin han ordeyned, be weye of charite, þat [etc.].
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 580 By þe way of ryȝt to aske dome.
1429–30 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Sept. 1429 §36. m. 7 Bi weie of hongyng or keveryng.
1551 J. Williams Acct. Monastic Treasures (1836) 99 To be gevin vnto straungers by waie of his maiesties reward, vml li.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xviii. 160 We be allowed now and then to ouer-reach a little by way of comparison.
1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 4 My next Rule is the Rule of Record, and by way of Table-book.
1674 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 168 There ought to be a distinction made in Letters of that nature, betweene passing a thing over by way of Connivance and giving a Publick Liberty.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 78. ⁋4 Nothing was wanting but some one to sit in the Elbow Chair, by way of President.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 260 Most of them were very industrious in selling one Thing or other by Way of turning the Peny to a good Use.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. iii. vii. 198 I ask Pardon for this short Appearance, by Way of Chorus on the Stage. View more context for this quotation
1777 H. L. Thrale Diary June in Thraliana (1942) I. 94 He used frequently to..go to Lewis the Bookseller's on Covt Garden, by way of buying Books.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 34 Attempting to spring carelessly..over a five-barred gate, by way of shewing your activity to a party of ladies.
1821 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto V 216 (note) In Turkey nothing is more common than for the Mussulmans to take several glasses of strong spirits by way of appetizer.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes II. vi. 158 The drapers always having hung up at their door, by way of sign, a piece of bright red cloth.
1856 J. Ruskin King Golden River (ed. 3) i. 4 He used to clean..the plates, occasionally getting what was left on them, by way of encouragement.
1868 L. M. Alcott Little Women I. vi. 96 ‘You'll have to go and thank him,’ said Jo, by way of a joke.
1892 Bookseller 17/1 The summary [of the Act] given by way of introduction is concise and clear.
1919 H. Crane Let. 13 Dec. (1965) 26 He has had a falling out with Amy Lowell, but a falling in with T. S. Eliot by way of compensation.
1927 H. Peake & H. J. Fleure Hunters & Artists v. 66 We may call it provisionally..the Predmost type by way of contrast with the Cro-Magnon type.
1977 P. O'Brian Mauritius Command iii. 57 He must come too: I shall send my barge, by way of compliment; you cannot be too careful with these political gents.
2014 Sun (Nexis) 8 Nov. (Scotl. ed.) 35 Bosses offered him a £50 voucher by way of apology for a delay in dealing with his problem.
(b) By means of; through the agency or medium of; with the aid of.by way of feat: see feat n. 1b. by way of deed: see by way of deed at deed n. 5d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > by the instrumentality of [phrase]
in virtue ofa1250
by (also with) strength of1340
by the virtue ofa1375
by way ofa1393
by (also through) (the) means (also mean) ofa1398
by remedy ofa1398
by force of1411
by feat of1489
by (occasionally through) the benefit ofa1538
in the way of1622
by the way of1623
by (the) dint of1664
by the force of1697
perforce of1714
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) i. l. 818 This lord..spak so that be weie of schrifte He drowh hem [sc. the priests] unto his covine.
1439 in Fenland Notes & Queries (1904–6) 6 222 And yat..ye wole at yis tyme in yis oure grete necessite putte youre handes and ese us by wey of lone of ye somme of C marc.
a1500 (a1450) in C. Monro Lett. Margaret of Anjou (1863) 97 (MED) Burneby..desireth with all his hert to do yow worship by wey of marriage.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiiv I requyre you..that..ye neuer by way of curiosite be besy to attempte any persone therin.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 898 Diuerse comunications by way of dialoges.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 1779/1 To endamage some of his Countreys by waye of inuasion.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales ii. xvi. 56 Flaccus..by way of great promises [L. per ingentia promissa], perswaded him..to enter into the Romane garrison.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iii. i. 53 We come not by the way of Accusation, To taint that honour euery good Tongue blesses. View more context for this quotation
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 5 Master-work-men may receive Instructions by way of Draughts, Models, Frames, &c.
1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin viii. 118 At least spiritual sense is not radically in them, but only by way of communication.
1743 H. Fielding Jonathan Wild ii. xiv, in Misc. III. 188 He..made so handsome a Booty by way of Borrowing.
1792 T. Holcroft Anna St. Ives III. l. 122 If you were, by way of talk in the neighbourhood, to say that you thought nothing more could be done to Wenbourne-Hill, and that you had reason to believe that was my opinion likewise, such a report might tie the tongues of cavillers.
1863 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 2 Mar. 364/1 A certain amount of property is destroyed by way of fire, the loss in respect of which is defrayed by the community in general.
1881 J. J. Lalor Cycl. Polit. Sci. I. 623/2 The victor can exercise his authority directly by way of force.
1974 H. Bulmahn Adolf Glassbrenner i. 13 He gradually understood that in order to accomplish this, the old system had to be destroyed by way of a bourgeois revolution.
2009 M. Shortall Human Rights & Moral Reasoning iii. 171 It cannot be directly imposed or coerced by way of legislation.
(c) With a person as object.
†(i) As a result of the actions of; because of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > cause or reason > [phrase] > because of
in virtue ofa1250
by (also for) reason ofa1350
by the virtue ofa1375
by the cause ofc1405
by occasion ofc1425
for cause ofc1425
by way of1447
for suit of1451
in respect of1528
in consideration of1540
in regard of1600
in intuition to1626
by or in vigour of1636
along1680
in view of1710
1447–8 in J. B. Paul Registrum Magni Sigilli Scotorum (1882) II. 70/2 Gif it happnis the said landis to be distroublit or vexit be way of Inglismen it sal be alowit to the said Alex. of the malis.
†(ii) Through the agency of (a person); spec. using (a person) as an intermediary. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > by the instrumentality of [phrase] > through intermediate means
at (the) third hand1553
by way of1560
by second hand1721
1560 Sir N. Throgmorton Let. 21 Nov. in T. Wright Queen Elizabeth & her Times (1838) I. 49 The 29th of October last, I wrote to you from Paris by the waye of Monsieur de Chantonet.
1810 E. Tilden Let. 19 Mar. in S. J. Tilden Lett. & Lit. Memorials (1908) I. 2 I will thank you to drop me an answer by the mail, by which conveyance I will forward you the money, or get it to you by way of my friend, Dr. Younglove, of Hudson.
1887 Appletons' Ann. Cycl. 1886 370/1 Intelligence has been received from time to time through the year, by way of Mr. Mackay, a missionary, of the movements of Emin and his army.
1974 J. Gardner Nickel Mountain vi. i. 217 He was not a cruel man—she had learned that only lately, from Henry, or rather had only lately discovered by way of Henry that that was what she'd always known.
1999 P. Stoller Jaguar 58 I thank God that I can send this money to you by way of Kareem.
(d) By a route which passes through or over (a specified place); = via prep. 1. In early use with omission of of and the place name modifying way (cf. sense A. 13).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > [phrase] > by way of
by way of1460
1460 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 163 He schall send his man hom be Newmarket wey.
1562 J. Shute in tr. A. Cambini in Two Comm. Turcks ii. f. 35 Iagup was comme into Albania by the waye of Belgrado.
1654 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. Bentivoglio Compl. Hist. Warrs Flanders iii. vii. 408 The Marquis went by the way of Savoy; and being well come to the Province of Luxenburg, he presently went to Gaunt.
1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 481 He went by the way of Illyricum.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker III. 71 We set out from Glasgow by the way of Lanerk.
1818 (title) Observations on the Proposed Railway or Tram-road from Stockton to the Collieries, by way of Darlington.
1865 Cornhill Mag. May 595 It invaded France by way of Avignon.
1901 T. J. Alldridge Sherbro xxvi. 291 From Bafodia we were diverging from the main road to Freetown which is by way of the Bumban hills.
1960 B. Kops Dream of Peter Mann 9 Of the writers who matter today, all must go to Wyndham's by way of Wigan Pier.
2000 Oxf. Amer. May 139/1 We come from people who came to England by way of Normandy from Scandinavia.
(e) colloquial (chiefly British). Followed by a gerund. to be by way of: to have as one's particular role; to make a special point of doing something; to purport or be reputed to be or do something; (sometimes) spec. to be in the habit of doing the specified activity. Now somewhat literary.Compare the following comment:
1891 Sat. Rev. 18 July 77/1 Mr. Brander Matthews finds fault with the phrase ‘by way of being’, and says an American can hardly understand it... ‘By way of being’ is endeavouring or purporting to be, holding oneself out in a certain character, or being so reputed; and this with an implied disclaimer of precise knowledge or warranty on the speaker's part.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > in habitual or customary use [phrase] > in the habit (of)
to be in use1504
in a way ofc1704
in the habit (habits) of doing1801
by way of1824
1824 S. E. Ferrier Inheritance I. xxxiii. 367 The Colonel was by way of introducing him into the fashionable circles.
1852 C. B. Mansfield Paraguay, Brazil, & Plate (1856) 182 A wiseacre passenger, who is by way of knowing the river well, says they are called capinchos in these parts.
1877 M. A. Barker Year's Housek. S. Afr. iv. 61 ‘Charlie,’ our groom, who is by way of being a very fine gentleman,..only condescends to work until he can purchase a wife.
a1896 G. Du Maurier Martian (1897) 236 The Gibsons were by way of spoiling me.
1906 Lit. World 15 Nov. 515/1 The character of this woman, who is by way of being the female villain of the story, is drawn with skill.
1933 J. Buchan Prince of Captivity iii. ii. 310 I'm by way of dining with Falconer tonight.
1960 K. Amis Take Girl like You (1962) 244 It had to do with early smoking habits and materials, on which Old Archie was evidently by way of being an expert.
1997 W. Self Great Apes (1998) ii. 18 He was by way of being their exegetist.
†d. from the way: in a remote or secluded place; out of the way. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > away from other people or in a secluded place [phrase]
out of the way1554
from the way1570
1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer Popish Kingdome ii. f. 20 What helpes their straunge aray, And crowne shorne downe vnto their eares, and houses from the way [L. semotus..locus]?
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H4 Some darke deepe desert seated from the way,..Will wee find out. View more context for this quotation
e. Phrases with in, esp. in the (also one's) way, in a way.See also senses A. 17a(b), A. 20, A. 21, A. 25b, A. 26, and Phrases 6c, Phrases 7h.
†(a) During or in the course of one's journey; (also) situated or lying along one's route or path; = Phrases 2g(b). Usually in in one's way; in early use also in in way. Obsolete. to do (a person, etc.) in the way: to send out on a journey or expedition.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > on or in the course of a journey [phrase]
in the (also one's) wayOE
by the wayOE
by wayOE
on (also upon) the (also one's) wayOE
in the mean way1569
en route1779
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > on or in the course of a journey [phrase] > so as to be met or observed
wayOE
OE tr. Alexander's Let. to Aristotle (1995) §40. 252 Ðin modor gewiteð of weorulde þurh scondlicne deað & unarlicne, & heo ligeð unbebyrged in wege fuglum to mete & wildeorum.
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) ii. xiii. 128 Hit gelamp sume dæge, þa þa se broðor on þone weg ferde to Benedictes mynstre, þæt oþer wegferend hine sylfne to him geþeodde, se bær mid him mettas to þicgenne in þam wege.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13373 In his wæiȝe [c1300 Otho weye] þat he funde al he hit aqualde.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13361 Wo wæs heom iboren þa i þan weie [c1300 Otho weye] heom weoren biuoren.
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 1007 (MED) Horn dude him in þe weie On a god Galeie.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) 259 At Felice he tok his leue þo, & in his way he goþ apliȝt.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. xlv. 24 Ne wraþe ȝe in þe way [L. in via].
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xvii. l. 47 (MED) We wenten þus in þe weye wordyng togyderes.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 9 (MED) He stervet yn þe way.
1534 J. Heywood Play of Loue sig. D.ivv There chaunced in my way a house hereby To fyre which is burned pyteously.
1561 H. Bennet tr. P. Melanchthon Hyst. Lyfe & Actes M. Luther in Famous & Godly Hist. Three Reformers sig. E.viiv After Luther had taken hys leaue of the Emperour, diuers Spaniards scorned & scoffed the holy man in his way to his lodging.
a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1592) 1012 Sinne is not long in comming, nor quickly gon, vnlesse God stop vs, as he mette Balaam in his way.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Fiij Like one that spies an adder, Wreath'd vp in fatall folds iust in his way . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 11 Like Hedg-hogs, which Lye tumbling in my bare-foote way . View more context for this quotation
1629 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Eight Bks. Peloponnesian Warre ii. 127 But they of Stratus, aware of this, whilest they were yet in their way..placed diuers Ambushes not farre from the Citie.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 67 Going from St. Gillians to Abergaueny in the way to Mountgomery Castle.
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 277. ⁋11 If you please to call at my House in your Way to the City.
1721 E. Ward Merry Trav. (1729) i. 35 Resolving to..moisten well our dusty Clay, At the next Alehouse in our Way.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iv. i. 8 I had not got far when I met one of these Creatures full in my way, and coming up directly to me.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VI. cvi. 351 In the afternoon [she] was at Islington church, in her way home.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §264 The master of the floating light saw the buoy in his way to Plymouth.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. v. i. 246 The churches were the best lions we met with in our way.
1822 M. A. Kelty Osmond I. 186 A heavy foreboding made her linger in her way to her own apartment.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. xlii. 25 She had gained a little wooden bridge, which..led into a meadow in her way.
1868 W. Morris Earthly Paradise 188 Nor yet was he Alone, as well might be that day Since a fair town was in his way.
1914 Times of India 4 Dec. 9/3 The assassin..stabbed and hacked every man he met in his way till he finally reached the river bank.
(b) to walk (also travel) in the way with, etc.: to accompany on a journey; (more generally) to associate with. Also † to be in the way mid. Usually with reference to moral conduct or a person's spiritual journey through life (cf. sense A. 3).Chiefly with biblical allusion, esp. to Proverbs 1:15.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate together or with [verb (intransitive)]
mingc1275
company1387
joinc1390
meddlec1390
herd?a1400
fellowshipc1430
enfellowship1470
to step in1474
accompany?1490
yoke?a1513
to keep with ——c1515
conjoin1532
wag1550
frequent1577
encroach1579
consort1588
sort1595
commerce1596
troop1597
converse1598
to keep (also enter, come into, etc.) commons1598
to enter common1604
atone1611
to walk (also travel) in the way with1611
minglea1616
consociate1638
associate1644
corrive1647
co-unite1650
walk1650
cohere1651
engage1657
mix1667
accustom1670
to make one1711
coalite1735
commerciate1740
to have nothing to say to (also with)1780
gang?1791
companion1792
mess1795
matea1832
comrade1865
to go around1904
to throw in with1906
to get down1975
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > accompany or be companions [verb (intransitive)]
accompany?1490
assist1553
to walk (also travel) in the way with1611
to go partners1716
to draw up1723
to shake together1861
to pal up (also around, out, etc.)1889
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > accompany or associate with [verb (transitive)]
seeOE
to bear (a person) company (also fellowship, etc.)c1225
mella1300
fellowshipa1382
companya1400
accompany1461
to keep company (with)1502
encompanya1513
to keep (a person) company1517
to take repast1517
assist1553
to take up with1570
rempare1581
to go along with1588
amate1590
bear1590
to fall in1593
consort1598
second1600
to walk (also travel) in the way with1611
comitate1632
associate1644
enhaunt1658
join1713
assort1823
sit1828
companionize1870
to take tea with1888
to knock about with1915
tote1977
fere-
OE (Northumbrian) Lindisf. Gospels: Matt. v. 25 Dum es in uia cum eo : miððy bist in uoeg mið him.
1582 T. Bentley Fift Lampe Virginitie 35 Keepe me, O Lord, from the wicked companie of vngodlie men, and when they shall entise me, let me not walke in the way with them.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. i. 15 My sonne, walke not thou in the way with them. View more context for this quotation
1670 C. Phelpes Happy Merchandise 43 Sinners intice us to cast in our lot amongst them, and to walk in the way with them; to run with them to the same excess of riot.
a1751 F. Carmichael Serm. Several Important Subj. (1753) v. 191 When sinners entice thee, consent thou not, walk not thou in the way with them.
1781 J. Cave Epist. Inhabitants Gillingham v. 89 Blessed is the Man whole Strength is in the Lord, (whose Life is hid with Christ in God) and whose Heart travelleth in the Way with them.
1832 Cottager's Monthly Visitor Jan. 19 That man is running the road to destruction, and placing his immortal soul in peril; we must not walk in the way with him, lest evil befall us.
1885 Youth's Compan. 9 Apr. 142/1 He submitted to the truth, received the life, and walked in the way, with a martyr's spirit..until he heard the call.
1917 Constructive Q. 5 55 Walk in the way with all peoples, O sons of peace, sons of the sole Catholica.
2012 Free Press (Kinston, N. Carolina) 14 Apr. 7/4 So there is work to be done as we walk in the way with Jesus.
(c) With infinitive. Likely to (do or achieve something), having a good chance of (doing or attaining something). Cf. Phrases 2f(a). Now rare.
ΚΠ
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 1212 (MED) Þou art yn weye to peyne be broght.
1429 Rolls of Parl. IV. 352/1 Diverse Customers..standen surcharged, and in weie to be surcharged in hire accomptes.
1533 T. Elyot Of Knowl. Wise Man iv. f. 55v He is in the way to rebel again his maker & most mercifull lorde.
1542 N. Vyllagon Lamentable & Piteous Treat. in Harleian Misc. (1808) I. 232 I purpose, as sone as my dysease is paste, to put me in waye with all dylygence to se you ryght soone.
1615 J. Chamberlain Let. 15 June (1939) I. 602 The bishop of Winchester is in the way to be Lord Privie Seale.
1645 True Relation Boy entertained by Devill 3 He doubted not but he should find a Master for him, and such employment as would put him in the way to gaine a compleat estate.
1710 W. Oldisworth Dial. Timothy & Philatheus II. 88 If once we could put him in the Way to punish all the False Teachers in the Nation, 'twould be the pretty'st Contrivance for the Good of the Church that has been yet thought of.
1783 G. Washington Let. 15 Aug. in Writings (1938) 27 103 It is totally out of my power to render her any Service in the collectn. of her debts but wish to put her in the way to obtain justice.
a1794 C. Phillips Mem. (1797) i. 5 Thus descended, it may be supposed I was in the way to receive religious instruction from my infancy.
a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) IV. ix. 179 Nurse Rooke..was delighted to be in the way to let you in. View more context for this quotation
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. iv. 67 Why did you not tarry at Brussels, then, with the Duke of Burgundy? He would put you in the way to have your bones broken every day.
1883 D. C. Murray Hearts xiv I am getting on a little in the world, and am in the way to earn a little money.
1897 B. Stoker Dracula xx. 268 He ain't like to be in a way to tell ye much to-night.
1934 Boys' Life Apr. 38/3 You said you might put me in the way to earn that sum.
1962 S. Ennis tr. P. Sayers Old Woman's Refl. xviii. 130 It's often we were in a way to go with fear and fright, because when winter came it wasn't its habit to come gentle and kind.
(d) In such a position, or of such a nature, as to obstruct, impede, or be an annoyance.
(i) to be (also get, stand, etc.) in one's way, to be (also get, stand, etc.) in the way of (a person or thing).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hinder [verb (intransitive)]
hinderc1386
to be (also get, stand, etc.) in one's way1481
to trump in (one's) way1570
to put in one's spoke1580
to put a spoke in one's wheel1583
to be (also get, stand, etc.) in the waya1750
snag1833
to cramp one's style1917
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 62 Who so alleway sayth trouth. shal fynde many lettyngis in his way.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 159 Welth, wardly gloir and riche array Ar all bot thornis laid in thy way.
1564 Briefe Exam. B iij Ye must..take heede, lest ye stande in your owne way.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1667 (1955) III. 493 He thwarted some of them & stood in their way.
1776 S. Foote Bankrupt i. 3 To throw some confounded rub in the way.
1787 ‘G. Gambado’ Acad. Horsemen 28 Thus, then, you go off with eclat, provided nothing is in your horse's way, and if there is,..he will probably leap over it.
1796 F. Burney Camilla I. ii. iii. 183 [His] egotism..sacrificed his best friends and first duties, if they stood in its way.
1805 R. E. Scott Elem. Intellect. Philos. App. i. 427 The abstractness of some mathematical conceptions has doubtless thrown considerable difficulties in the way of the learner.
1828 M. T. Sadler Ireland xiv. 342 The financial obstacles in the way of a free trade in corn.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 329 The smaller girls managed to be in every body's way, and were pushed about accordingly.
1885 Manch. Examiner 11 June 4/7 The Liberal party will be bound in honour to throw no factious obstacles in their way.
1887 S. Baring-Gould Gaverocks II. xxiii. 17 His pride stood in the way of success.
1901 Rec. Christian Work Dec. 934 A soul merchant, unhesitatingly sacrificing the spiritual interests of all around him, if they stand in the way of his bargaining.
1934 P. Hamilton Plains of Cement xxix. 249 He had chosen to come inside the bar with her this morning, and had been swanking about his Christmas presents and getting in her way for fully half an hour.
1989 C. S. Murray Crosstown Traffic viii. 189 The free jazzers never allowed the song to get in the way of the music.
2000 B. Segal Whisper Awhile 59 A million men with glorious aeroplanes and tanks and gold braid and scarlet tabs stood behind me; let no one stand in my way.
(ii) to be (also get, stand, etc.) in the way (without possessive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hinder [verb (intransitive)]
hinderc1386
to be (also get, stand, etc.) in one's way1481
to trump in (one's) way1570
to put in one's spoke1580
to put a spoke in one's wheel1583
to be (also get, stand, etc.) in the waya1750
snag1833
to cramp one's style1917
a1750 Ld. Dartmouth in O. Airy Burnet's Hist. Own Time (1900) II. 251 (note) King Charles gave him [Godolphin] a short character when he was page,..of being never in the way, nor out of the way.
1787 J. Wesley Let. 7 Sept. (1931) VIII. 7 But there is a mountain that stands in the way: and how you will get over it I know not: I mean pride.
1866 J. S. Le Fanu All in Dark xxxv He would have been in the way—unutterably de trop.
1894 Outing 24 442/2 I..had stowed my guncase and grip where they would be least in the way.
1922 School Rev. Sept. 528 The difficulties in the way are by no means few or easily superable.
1993 Orange Coast Nov. 47/1 She's really in the way. I could do the stuff four times faster if she'd get the hell out of the way.
2004 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 15 Feb. iv. 6/4 Don't get anal over a piece of wood; cut it off if it gets in the way.
(e) figurative.
(i) to come (also fall, lie, etc.) in one's way: to be met with in the course of one's experience. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > fall to one
shootc1175
happen1477
to come in one's way1533
land1679
to come a person's waya1816
to drop into the lap of1962
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > getting or making money > [phrase] > gain (so much)
to come in one's way1533
1533 T. More Apologye xxvi. f. 161v The towchyng of thys mater is no parte of my prynncypall entent, but happeneth as an incydent to fall in my waye.
1534 N. Udall Floures for Latine Spekynge gathered oute of Terence f. 171 It is not possible for any thynge to come in my waye nowe from henseforthe, so great, that may greue my harte, or cause me to be sad.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 v. i. 28 Rebellion lay in his way, and he found it. View more context for this quotation
a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 37 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) Under it [sc. his mantle] he may cleanly convey any fit pillage that commeth handsomly in his way.
1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes II. §44 As for riches, if they fall in my way, I refuse them not.
1680 W. Temple Ess. Cure of Gout in Miscellanea 193 The General Officers of Armies,..the publick Ministers..(that have fallen in my way) being generally subject to it [sc. the Gout] in one degree or other.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions p. xii It comes in my way here to retaliate to him.
1742 London Mag. June 300/2 My Method of treating these sort of Sparks when they fall in my Way.
1767 A. Murphy School for Guardians iii. 45 Since difficulties come in my way, genius must surmount them.
1828 W. Scott Tales of Grandfather 1st Ser. II. xi. 213 A warrant empowering them to take all Portuguese vessels which should come in their way.
1882 W. Besant All Sorts of Men II. xxxi. 279 These things he knew nothing of; they had not come in his way.
1888 J. McCarthy & R. C. Praed Ladies' Gallery II. ii. 19 Every actor whom it had come in my way to know..was a poor devil.
1915 N.Y. Times Curr. Hist. 2 348/2 Educated solely by his own efforts on stray newspapers and books which fell in his way in his schoolless village.
1948 M. K. Gandhi in Times of India 12 Feb. 1/3 I am not aching for martyrdom, but if it comes in my way in the prosecution of what I consider to be the supreme duty in defense of the faith I shall have earned it.
(ii) to throw (also lay, put, etc.) in (a person's) way: to bring within a person's experience; to make available or susceptible to.
ΚΠ
1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job xviii. 80/2 These two temptations which are cast in our way are so common, that euery of vs feeleth himselfe to haue neede to bee armed against it.
1621 R. Johnson Way to Glory 44 Let vs not with Atalanta bee allured out of the way, by the golden Apples..which the World, or our owne concupiscence throwes in our way.
a1639 H. Wotton Philos. Surv. Educ. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1651) 317 But before I lanch from the shoars, let me resolve a main question which may be cast in my way.
a1662 B. Duppa Holy Rules & Helps Devotion (1674) i. 83 The Imagination..casting Thoughts in our way, and forcing the Understanding to reflect upon them.
1722 W. Wollaston Relig. of Nature v. 107 When one man alters the opinion of another by throwing a book, proper for that purpose, in his way.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 154 We have now nothing to live on but Seal, and what Providence throws in our Way.
1763 W. Cowper in R. Southey Life & Wks. Cowper (1835) I. 163 My friends must excuse me, if I write to none but those who lay it fairly in my way to do so.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. i. 18 It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself in his way again. View more context for this quotation
1841 S. Warren Ten Thousand a-Year II. vii. 189 They say he has a cousin who is one of the officers to the Sheriff of Middlesex, and puts a good many little things in his way!
1995 M. Amis Information (1996) 12 Her body threw no difficulties in her way: the wash-and-go drip-dry hair, the candid orbits that needed only the mildest of emphases.
†(iii) In predicative use with a modal or future auxiliary: (of a particular contingency) to the specified person's gain or benefit. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1617 J. Chamberlain in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) II. 43 It [sc. his having a son] may be a hundred thousand pounds in his way, if his father keep his word.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 46 Though it might have been Thousands in my Way had I continued my Business.
1789 ‘P. Pindar’ Subj. for Painters i. (note) Which will be a benefit ticket in Sir William's way.
†(f) Of a person: near at hand and not otherwise occupied, so as to be available to do something, esp. to help, or be at the disposal of, another. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [phrase] > that may be reached > within range or reach
within reachc1515
within one's strokea1533
in the (also one's) way1534
within power1548
under the dint of1577
in(to), within, out of shot1635
within arm's reacha1652
within one's force1680
within touch1753
in touch1854
within wind of1865
1534 N. Udall Floures for Latine Spekynge gathered oute of Terence f. 108 I require that your hous may be open for me at all tymes, whether thou be in the way, or out of the way.
1575 J. Awdely Fraternitye of Vacabondes (new ed.) sig. A.ijv If the good man and wyfe be not in the way, be procureth of the children or seruants a fleece of wool.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Gggg2v/2 To be in the way, or in a readiness, se tenir pret, ne pas s' ecarter.
1696 Tryal & Condemnation Sir W. Parkyns 8 I did it as soon as I could: The Keeper was not always in the way. It was Execution day, and he was not at home that day.
1745 J. Swift Direct. to Servants 1 When your Master or Lady call a Servant by Name, if that Servant be not in the Way, none of you are to answer.
c1760 R. Challoner in E. H. Burton Life Bp. Challoner (1909) II. xxiv. 28 We will spend our evenings..at our own lodgings, so that we may..be in the way for such as shall come for Instructions.
1781 R. Pulteney Gen. View Writings Linnæus xxix. 410 When the Sub-Rectour was not in the way, to heare me.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. xviii. 352 I came here to-day intending to rehearse it with Edmund..but he is not in the way . View more context for this quotation
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. viii. 122 In order that..he might take care to be in the way at the time.
1859 H. Kingsley Recoll. G. Hamlyn xxxix I'm glad, too, to see you here. One feels safer when you're in the way.
1897 R. N. Bain tr. M. Jókai Pretty Michal (ed. 2) xxx. 229 He himself, however, had not been in the way when beauty was being served out.
†(g) in the way: ready and willing to take part in a particular activity; in the mood. Also with for. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > disposition or character > temporary state of mind, mood > [adverb]
in the vein1577
in the (also one's) way1678
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > state of feeling or mood > [adverb] > in a fit mood
in the vein1577
in the (also one's) way1678
1678 tr. A. de Courtin Rules Civility (rev. ed.) xvi. 162 A sort of people never in the way [Fr. prests], never pleas'd with any thing.
1689 T. Shadwell Bury-Fair i. i. 1 Your solid Fop is a better Man; he'll be Diligent and Fawning, always in the way.
1856 J. Ballantine Poems 108 He is aye in the way for a crack.
†(h) in one's way: not exceeding one's entitlement or authority; within one's rights. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [phrase]
on (also upon) righteOE
by (good, etc.) rightc1330
to rightsc1330
well and truly1348
of very (due) right?a1366
to righta1382
at right1487
in one's way1691
1691 Revol. New Eng. Justified in Andros Tracts (1868) I. 112 Answer was made by the Deponent, that if we [sc. the Watch] should kill them [sc. suspicious persons resisting arrest], we were in our way, then Mr. Randolph..said, you are in the way to be hanged.
(i) in my (his, etc.) way: well suited to one's tastes, abilities, or purpose; = in one's line at line n.2 28b. Chiefly in negative context. Cf. Phrases 2h(a)(iv). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suitable or appropriate [phrase] > to a person
in my (his, etc.) way1740
in (or out of) one's line1838
1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber 121 I thought any thing, naturally written, ought to be in every one's Way that pretended to be an Actor.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. i. 13 Quoting from a dead language looks a little like skulking, and that's not at all in my way, as you know.
1863 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 2 May 232/1 One..is made angry by my modestly suggesting the possibility of Paris time being more in their way.
a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xiv. 167 I knew it [sc. an agricultural meeting] wasn't much in his way.
1887 A. Birrell Obiter Dicta 2nd Ser. 64 Research was not in his way.
1906 Guardian 15 Dec. 7/1 Soldiers are not much in my way, and my military signatures are few.
(j) (for) once in a way: on this occasion, if on no other; for once; (also in weaker sense) rarely, exceptionally; once in a while.Apparently an alteration of the earlier once and away at once adv., conj., adj., and n. Phrases 6. Cf. also once in a while at once adv., conj., adj., and n. Phrases 9.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > infrequently or it rarely happens [phrase]
it is seldom that1390
it is seldom when1600
(for) once in a way1759
blue moon1821
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb]
seldom-whenc888
seldomc897
seld-whenc897
seldoma1000
seldc1000
seldom-timec1386
seld-timec1386
seld-whilea1387
seld-where1390
thinc1405
rare?1440
sendle?a1500
daintilya1513
thinlyc1545
rarely1546
once in a moon1547
out-takingly1549
seldomly1549
for once and away1583
sparingly1590
scarce1596
unfrequently1646
unoften1654
infrequently1673
once in a while1765
sporadically1765
sparselya1871
seldom-while1876
(for) once in a way1891
1759 Life & Real Adventures Hamilton Murray I. xiii. 158 Avast! a little there, brother's, avast! do take the advice of a seamen [sic] for once in a way.
1842 J. H. Newman Church of Fathers (ed. 2) 302 I must beg indulgence once in a way, to engage myself in a dry and somewhat tedious discussion.
1858 A. Trollope Dr. Thorne II. v. 100 Now, I like this kind of thing once in a way.
1860 C. Reade Cloister & Hearth liii They agreed to take a holiday for once in a way.
1891 J. M. Dixon Dict. Idiomatic Eng. Phrases 230 Once in a way, sometimes; at long intervals; on rare occasions.
1928 E. O'Neill Strange Interlude ii. 76 Well, then, a little truth for once in a way!
1934 G. B. Shaw On the Rocks (new ed.) i, in Too True to be Good 197 I really think, father, you might for once in a way take some slight interest in the family.
2007 J. McCourt Now Voyagers v. 216 Once in a way.., for a laugh, he'd take off his apron, fold it neatly over a chair, undo his flies and haul the tosser out.
(k) Originally U.S. to be set (also stuck) in one's ways: to have had the same habits or views for a long time; to be unsusceptible or resistant to change.
ΚΠ
1856 Democratic Pharos (Logansport, Indiana) 13 Feb. He cannot, of course, be argued out of his opinion—he is too aged and set in his ways.
1895 Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Jrnl. 28 Aug. 5/1 A mother too set in her ways to permit any innovations in housekeeping methods.
1921 S. Kaye-Smith Joanna Godden i. 32 Now the folks around here, they're middling sensible, but..they're stuck in their ways.
1946 C. McCullers Member of Wedding ii. 43 He was a widowman, for her mother had died the very day that she was born—and, as a widowman, set in his ways.
2014 Daily Tel. 8 Aug. 16/1 Back in the Eighties someone explained to me that emails were on the way... ‘No!’ I protested... ‘I'm too stuck in my ways to learn something new.’
f. in the way of. Also sometimes in way of, in a way of. See also sense A. 26.
(a) With noun or gerund as object of preposition. to be in (the, a) way of: likely to (do or achieve something), having a good chance of (doing or attaining something). Also to put (a person) in (the, a) way of. Formerly also †in way for. Cf. fair adj. and n.1 Phrases 1e. †in any way of marriage: having marriage prospects (cf. in the way of marriage at Phrases 2f(e)) (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb] > likely to do or obtain
in the way ofa1400
in state?1536
in a meana1552
in means1592
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 306 If þou fyndist in a mannes body a lyme in wei of corrupcioun [L. in via corruptionis].
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 16v The whiche ypocras seeyng the crafte of physike in weye of perdicion because alle his felawes were dede.
1482 R. Cely Let. 13 May in Cely Lett. (1975) 151 He askyd me hefe I wher in any whay of maryayge.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 161 A Physician, that..is vnacquainted with your body.., may put you in way for a present Cure, but ouerthroweth your Health in some other kinde.
1677 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 12th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Duke of Rutland (1889) 36 in Parl. Papers (C. 5889–II) XLIV. 393 Lord Mohun is now in a way of recovery.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 121 Being very ingenious at such Work, when they were once put in the Way of it.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 137 Seeing Things..in so fine a way of thriving upon my Island.
1729 W. Law Serious Call viii. 112 She has educated several poor children,..and put them in a way of an honest employment.
1779 J. Warner in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1844) IV. 259 You cannot expect a Dyer's letter from me, as your nephew Charles is so much more in the way of having authentic information.
1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. i. 26 Mr Croftangry is in the way of doing a foolish thing.
1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 24 Mar. 513/1 Even then they might sometimes put themselves in the way of being blown into the Regent's Canal.
1885 Liverpool Daily Post 7 July 4/4 Diplomatic difficulties, which he hoped were in the way of solution.
1902 W. B. Yeats Cathleen ni Hoolihan 13 220 We might be put in the way of making Patrick a priest someday, and he so good at his books.
1944 J. T. Flynn As we go Marching ii. x. 165 What I am driving at is that we are in a way of doing for fascism what we began to do for the trusts in the early 1900s.
1998 J. Bossy Peace in Post-Reformation Pref. Thanks..especially to Amanda Lillie, who put me in the way of finding the Sansovino statue which appears on the cover.
(b) As a form or example of; in the capacity or with the function of; as something equivalent to; = by way of ( Phrases 2c(a)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > exchange > substitution > in place of [preposition]
in (the) lieu ofc1290
in the stead ofa1325
stead of14..
in the way ofa1475
in the room of1526
in (the) place of1533
in the roomth of1565
instead1667
vice1770
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > in the particular case [phrase] > as an instance of
by way ofc1400
in the way ofa1475
a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1905) i. 97 The Abbesse and the Couente..graunted..that, in the wey of charite, that they wold fynde for ever a prest conuenient þat shold do a prestis service every day, namely for the sowles of the forsaid peple.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. cxxvii. f. lxiiiv Dagobert..bete his Mayster, & after in way of despyte caused ye berd of his Tutour to be shauyn of.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Abijcio Abiicere se alteri ad pedes..to prostrate him self at ones feete in way of intreatie.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 23 King William should geue him yerely in the way of a fee .xij. Markes of Golde.
1621 J. Chamberlain in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) II. 273 He concluded with a wish..for the felicity..of that..happy couple; and, in a way of amen, caused the Bishop of London..to give them a benediction.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 85 Which I then bestowed upon some Servants of the Prince in way of Retribution for my Welcome thither.
1718 S. Blackwell Several Methods of reading Holy Script. Pref. sig. A2v All I have farther to add, in way of Preface, is the following earnest Prayer.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. i. 327 In the way of compensation, he was allowed a pension.
1896 London Soc. July 92 Now I understood that these contortions had been in way of greeting.
1915 Pop. Sci. Monthly Jan. 72 Those highly proper exactions in way of repayment for injury and destruction.
1996 A. K. Vitberg Marketing Health Care i. 1 So, in the way of introduction, I..would like to formally thank and acknowledge the progenitors of our collective heavy workload.
†(c) in the way of honesty: with honourable intentions; in an honest or honourable manner. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > honourableness > as far as honour allows [phrase]
in the way of honesty1541
1541 M. Coverdale tr. H. Bullinger Christen State Matrimonye f. xlvijv No vncomely thing is it, to geue honest presentes to honest damesels in the waye of honestie [Ger. umm eeren willen], & so to moue theyr myndes vnto the honour and loue of mariage.
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. B4v Gentle readers..as freely as my knauerie was mine owne, it shall be yours to vse in the way of honestie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) i. i. 181 For thou wast got i' th way of honesty. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 73 I defie all Angels..but in the way of honesty . View more context for this quotation
1688 Pleasures Matrimony i. 8 There is no Father or Mother, Unkle, or Aunt, that will deny a Young Spark the first Visit, when he comes, as they say, in the Way of Honesty.
1712 J. Dunton Preaching-weathercock 6 Erasmus tells us,..‘That the getting of Children’ (tho in the Way of Honesty) ‘is the most foolish Act a wise Man can be guilty of.’
1880 Chambers's Jrnl. 12 June 374/1 No, sir ; I'm poor, and I may have took to drink; but I've allays kep' my 'ed above water in the way of honesty, and I really couldn't.
a1903 B. H. Barmby Rosslyn's Raid (1903) iv. 50 ‘I ha' heared o' driving horses and kye in the way of honesty,’ remarked the defeated raider.
†(d) As a means of; so as to bring about or produce. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [phrase] > with the intention or object of
allc1300
because1480
in the way of1548
in order for1610
with a (also the) view of1692
with a view to1692
out of a view to1719
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke x. f. ciiv Iesus disputing with the Iewes had put the Sadducees to silence, who in the waye of prouyng hym [L. tentandi gratia], had putte foorthe a question of a woman.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. ii. 14 A kind of insinuation, as it were in via, in way of explication. View more context for this quotation
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme Ep. Ded. sig. ⁂2 Which was done in way of Divine Honour to the Wisdome of the Deity.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 190 And yet in way of recovering health by changing of Aire, of study for a time in the University,..or of being imployed in publick Affairs, they [sc. licences to clergy for non-residence] cannot be wholy abrogated.
1662 H. More Philos. Writ. (1712) Pref. Gen. p. xxi The ancient Divines and Prophets..witness that the Soul is join'd to this earthly body in a way of punishment.
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 64 Coming closer.., in a way, as it were, of claiming acquaintance with him.
†(e) in the way of marriage: with a view to marriage. Also occasionally in way to marriage. Cf. in any way of marriage at Phrases 2f(a). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > seeking marriage > [adverb]
in way to marriage1579
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > fitness for marriage > [verb (intransitive)] > have prospect of being married
in the way of marriage1579
1579 Queen Elizabeth I in N. H. Nicolas Mem. Sir C. Hatton (1847) 106 Such Princes as in former time have sought us in way of marriage.
1583 B. Rich Phylotus & Emelia (1835) 11 But Phylotus in the ende desired Emelia of her father in the waie of Mariage.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 79 To speake a good word to Mistris Anne Page, for my Master in the way of Marriage . View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. xiii. 301 As if their sex in reference to men were not capable of any other kind of familiar friendship but in way to marriage.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. 125 Her next lover..did not understand the refinements of the passion, and expressed no aversion to grapple with cousin Tabby in the way of marriage.
1825 Examiner 22 Aug. 537/2 He had behaved most disengenuously and dishonourably to the Plaintiff; for while..addressing her in the way of marriage, he had at the same time addressed another young lady.
1866 B. Taylor Story of Kennett xvi. 182 In my judgment, he seems to be drawn towards thee in the way of marriage.
(f) In the course of; during the specified process, activity, or routine. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [phrase] > in the course of
in the way of1582
1582 R. Mulcaster 1st Pt. Elementarie ii. 9 A thing not gathered in him by me in natur of anie consequence, but vttered by himself, in the waie of his discourse.
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 58 Providing that it were done in the way of publicke justice.
1693 W. Congreve Old Batchelour iv. i. 30 In the way of Trade, we still suspect the smoothest Dealers of the deepest designs.
1765 S. Foote Commissary i. 3 Not at all given to lying, but like other tradesfolks, in the way of her business.
1809 Panoplist Oct. 213/1 He that hath wronged so many, or in that manner (as in the way of daily trade) that he knows not in what measure he hath done it, or who they are, must redeem his fault by alms and largesses to the poor.
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies i. 6 Remembering that he had come in the way of business, and was, as it were, under a flag of truce.
1911 Fortn. Rev. 1 Mar. 437 I doubt whether any single work of Bach's took more than the half of six months to compose, and the greatest of them all came in the way of his daily life.
1984 Irish Times 27 Nov. 12/5 The proprietor may come across it in the way of business but would not know the value without looking it up in his coin book.
†(g) On the subject of, with regard to, concerning. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > in relation to [phrase] > when one is concerned with
in the way of1598
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. i. 135 But in the way of bargaine..Ile cauill on the ninth part of a haire. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. ii. 188 Hect... Hectors opinion Is this in way of truth: yet nere the lesse [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
†(h) By means of; through the agency or medium of; with the aid of. Cf. Phrases 2c(b). Obsolete.Quot. a1616 may be interpreted in this sense, but is probably an example of sense A. 26.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > by the instrumentality of [phrase]
in virtue ofa1250
by (also with) strength of1340
by the virtue ofa1375
by way ofa1393
by (also through) (the) means (also mean) ofa1398
by remedy ofa1398
by force of1411
by feat of1489
by (occasionally through) the benefit ofa1538
in the way of1622
by the way of1623
by (the) dint of1664
by the force of1697
perforce of1714
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. ii. 137 Ile returne Consull, Or neuer trust to what my Tongue can do I'th way of Flattery further. View more context for this quotation]
1622 T. Matthew Of Love Iesus Christ lxxvi. 451 There was no power which could oblige him to it, in the way of force.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 202 He attempted to open her eyes in the way of exhortation, and, finding it produced no effect had recourse to prayer.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. vii. 171 That in the way of treaty more permanent advantages could be obtained..than by an action which would stain her with a breach of faith and hospitality.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. ii. 220 The attack was made, not in the way of storm, but by slow and scientific approaches.
(i) In the habit of. Chiefly in in a way of. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > in habitual or customary use [phrase] > in the habit (of)
to be in use1504
in a way ofc1704
in the habit (habits) of doing1801
by way of1824
c1704 Duchess of Marlborough Let. in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Duke of Buccleuch (1899) I. 353 The House of Lords are in a way of having hours very uncertain.
1742 H. Walpole Let. 6 Jan. (1833) 241 Here it is not the way to visit foreigners, unless you are of the Court, or are particularly in a way of having them at your house.
1842 Water-cure Jrnl. Aug. 45/2 Our medical men generally have got in a way of denouncing ‘fruits and vegetables’ so indiscriminately, that as much sickness and death have resulted from abandoning the good as from employing the bad.
1867 Flag of Our Union 16 Apr. 227/4 Sometimes Anne would take Mr. Barnard there to spend the evening. After a while, Mr. Barnard got in a way of going alone occasionally.
1914 Harper's Monthly Mag. Dec. 70/1 Well, we'd got in a way of not talking much.
1944 G. Heyer Friday's Child vi. 69 I dare say I shan't know how to go on at all. At least, just at first I shall not, though I expect I shall soon get into the way of it.
(j) Nautical and Aeronautics. in way of: in a direct line aft from. Cf. earlier in wake of at wake n.2 4b(a).
ΚΠ
1860 Encycl. Brit. XX. 199/2 Those stancheons which come in way of boats' davits..will have an angle iron knee to turn under water-way, inside of bulwarks, well riveted to water-way plate.
1873 Royal Comm. Unseaworthy Ships: Prelim. Rep. II. 422/2 in Parl. Papers (C. 853-I) XXXVI. 335 Box stringer in way of lower deck beams repaired.
1931 Flight 10 Apr. 324/2 Cases have occurred of the raised flange on plate NA 507, which secures the sternpost to the top longeron, bending and cracking in way of the taper pin.
1960 Fishing Gaz. (N.Y.) 15 Mar. 18/1 The propeller shaft has 5/8″ thick centrifugally cast liners or wearing sleeves shrunk on in way of the stern bearing and stuffing box.
1993 Sport Aviation Aug. 56/1 The retract will add weight, probably wipe out laminar flow on the wing surface in way of the gear doors.
2013 B. Edwards Convoy will Scatter xiv. 169 A torpedo slammed into the British ship's side in way of her engine-room.
g. on (also upon) the (also one's) way.
(a) As the complement of a verb of motion: forward on one's course or journey; onward, along. Now often with the implication of departure (cf. Phrases 2g(c)(iii), Phrases 2g(c)(v)). Also with verb of motion understood. Cf. sense A. 9b.
ΚΠ
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1900) II. 160 Þa gewende seo eorod þe we ær embe spræcon, forð on heora weg.
lOE St. Margaret (Corpus Cambr.) (1994) 170 Ealle hi hale and gesunde on heora wege ham gewænton.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 676 Brutus..ferde riht on his wei [c1300 Otho way].
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) i. i. sig. ajv Ryde on your wey, for I wille not be long behynde.
a1500 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Douce) l. 315 I mot walke one my wey, þorgh þis wilde wood.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts viii. 39 He went on his waye reioysynge.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. i. 131 It was the Friar of Orders gray, As he forth walked on his way . View more context for this quotation
1660 R. Howard Blind Lady i. i, in Poems 31 Farewell, I leave you to your thoughts,—I'le on my way to night. Heaven direct and prosper you.
1678 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 167 Little-faith came to himself, and getting up made shift to scrabble on his way . View more context for this quotation
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 361 She came on her way as far as Metz.
1765 G. Colman tr. Terence Step-mother i. ii, in tr. Terence Comedies 345 There's the whole business. Now I'll on my way.
1847 G. P. R. James Russell II. i. 10 Riding on their way, they were soon beyond the circle within which they expected the greatest danger to lie.
1855 F. W. Faber Growth in Holiness (ed. 2) xvi. 297 When we fall we must rise again, and go on our way, wishing ourselves..better luck another time.
1881 Punch 27 Aug. 94/2 The [H.M.S.] Hercules got up steam and went on her way westward.
1936 A. Russell Gone Nomad iii. 20 We had boiled the quartpots at a waterhole a mile or so back and were continuing on our way.
1975 A. J. P. Taylor Let. 2 July in Lett. to Eva (1991) 249 We started on our way, with some terrifying paths.
1997 J. Churchill Fear of Frying 105 She just does what they want her to, and goes on her way without getting her knickers in a twist.
2013 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 24 Oct. 29/1 ‘Salaam aleikum,’ he said, with a deferential nod of his head, then continued on his way.
(b) During, or in the course of, a journey. Also: situated or lying along the particular route or path.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > on or in the course of a journey [phrase]
in the (also one's) wayOE
by the wayOE
by wayOE
on (also upon) the (also one's) wayOE
in the mean way1569
en route1779
OE West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 34 Witodlice hi on wege [L. in via] smeadon hwylc hyra yldost wære.
lOE St. James the Greater (Vesp.) in R. D.-N. Warner Early Eng. Homilies (1917) 24 Þa geseh he sumne creopere licgende on his weige.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8054 Fand þai noþer fra þat sith. Man ne beist þat þai wit met, þat on þair wai þam moght do lett.
1549 T. Broke tr. J. Calvin Of Life Christen Man sig. F.iiiv Oure Lorde, as he forseeth to be expedient, meeteth vs on the waye, and healpeth vs.
1596 T. Danett tr. P. de Commynes Hist. ii. i. 47 He sent a trumpeter to them, who met with the hostages vpon the way.
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre i. 16 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian Overtaking him upon the way.
1660 E. Warcupp tr. F. Schottus Italy iii. 299 Leaving the Lake Avernus, you find on the way among the ruines of the City Cuma..great foundations and ruines of Towers.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 139 I will my self conduct thee on thy Way . View more context for this quotation
1730 W. Burdon Gentleman's Pocket-farrier 26 Ever make it a standing Rule to water on the Way before you arrive at the baiting Place.
1796 tr. F. Le Vaillant New Trav. Afr. III. 394 I had observed on the way a tree, with an enormous nest of those birds.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II i. xiv. 15 And Cintra's mountain greets them on their way.
1837 T. Roscoe Tourist in Spain, Biscay & Castiles iii. 45 It was always practicable, particularly when there were any wine or brandy shops on the way, to outwalk his beasts.
1891 Fur, Fin & Feather Mar. 169 They reckons to make mighty slick work in cleaning everything up on the way back.
1920 R. Macaulay Potterism i. iv. 46 He came in here on the way.
1958 A. Sillitoe Loneliness Long Distance Runner 17 Scrumping a few sour apples on our way.
2004 Lincs. Echo (Nexis) 14 Dec. 2 He would often pick her up a present on the way home.
2013 New Yorker 3 June 20/1 A sign on the way warned, ‘Quiet Please Googlers at Work’.
(c) As the predicate of to be (or occasionally another copular verb).
(i) Travelling towards a particular destination; having started on one's journey. Usually with prepositional phrase or adverb expressing the destination.
ΚΠ
OE West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) v. 25 Beo þu onbugende þinum wiðerwinnan hraðe þa hwile þe ðu eart on wege [L. in via] mid him.
a1425 (?c1350) Ywain & Gawain (1964) l. 549 (MED) He thoght to be wele on hys way Or it war passed þe thryd day.
1523 Earl of Surrey in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 227 Trusting that the gonners be well on the waye hiderwards.
1563 A. Golding tr. L. Bruni Hist. Warres Imperialles & Gothes v. f. 104v Whyle they were on their way, it semed good yt some one of the Captaines should goe quickely before to assaile thenemy.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 68 You should haue bin well on your way to Yorke. View more context for this quotation
1626 N. Breton Fantasticks sig. E3 The Traueller now is well on his way, and if the weather be faire, he walkes with the better cheere.
1679 W. Bedloe Narr. Horrid Popish Plot 6 But being on his way to White-hall, he acted the part of a Mad-man.
1778 J. Stark Let. 8 Aug. in G. Washington Papers (2006) Revolutionary War Ser. XVI. 275 Forty Indians..are on their way to this place.
1782 Parl. Reg. 1781–96 VIII. 132 The three regiments from Ireland, and the British recruits that went with them, are, I trust, well on their way by this time to Charles-town.
1825 J. Irons Zion's Hymns (ed. 3) §224 sig. N4v Away ye vanities of earth, We're on our way to heaven.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. iii. 23 On the following morning I was on my way towards this valley.
1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 15 329 The debtor was on his way to the office of the official receiver.
1932 L. Golding Magnolia St. i. viii. 129 The young men..were on their way home.
1974 N.Y. Times 6 May 42/1 [It] would enable firemen to study a building's pre-filed floor plan, dangers and contents while they were on the way to a fire.
2012 M. R. Gordon & B. E. Trainor Endgame xviii. 329 The general was on his way to Kuwait.
(ii) Of an event, development, etc.: about to happen; imminent, coming.
ΚΠ
a1780 J. Macgowan Disc. Bk. Ruth (1781) iii. 57 Nor is this to be considered as an empty threatening, for its fulfilment is on its way.
1812 Scots Mag. June 460/1 I cannot forget that they were told, and taught to believe, on authority, that a great Coming was on its way.
1929 Manch. Guardian 26 Oct. 14/5 I feel sure war is on the way.
1968 J. Nathan tr. K. Oe Personal Matter (1969) 89 A storm was on its way.
1986 Times 25 Oct. 23/2 The price tells all. It looks as though a bid is on the way.
2014 Guardian 14 Apr. 23/5 A new reversible USB plug is on its way.
(iii) colloquial. I'll be on my way: expressing the speaker's intention of making an immediate departure. Later also (I'm) on my way: expressing (typically as part of a telephone conversation) the speaker's intention of proceeding without delay to a particular destination. Also with first-person plural pronouns.In early use typically with the main verb implied; cf. off adv. 8a. Examples of this kind may be alternatively interpreted as implying go rather than be (cf. Phrases 2g(a)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > away (of motion) [phrase] > expressing immediate departure
(I'm) on my way1822
1822 R. H. Dana Idle Man I. 27 I must be on my way, and must go like a man.
1880 Elocutionist's Jrnl. Mar. 4/1 Come, give me a glass, now Colonel, And I'll be on my way.
1928 N. I. White Amer. Negro Folk-Songs ii. 124 Lord I'm on my way... Lord I'm on my way.
1934 N.Y. Times 22 July 1/6 Bishop Faber..was last seen an hour before dinner when with the cheery remark to friends ‘Well, I'm on my way,’ he started off.
1971 ‘L. Egan’ Malicious Mischief (1972) ix. 158 ‘Call just in..—they had a prowler over on Jackson... He was armed.’.. ‘I'm on my way!’ snapped Varallo.
1972 J. Philips Vanishing Senator i. iv. 37 ‘Step on it, will you?’ ‘On my way,’ Peter said.
1978 A. Price '44 Vintage xii. 152 If it's all the same to you, m'sieur, we'll be on our way.
1998 T. McHale Casualty (BBC TV rehearsal script) (O.E.D. Archive) 13th Ser. Episode 2. 124 (Max is on the phone) Max. Alright... I'm on my way. (He grabs a bag of jelly babies, puts one in his mouth and stuffs the rest into his pocket as he leaves).
2005 M. Chapman Way Home (Electronic ed.) xii I'm afraid I also have things to do today, so I'll be on my way.
(iv) figurative. Progressing or developing towards a goal or accomplishment, or a probable (and often unwelcome) outcome. Frequently in to be well on one's (also the) way. Usually with prepositional phrase or adverb expressing the goal, outcome, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > go on a journey > accomplish a distance in a short time
to make good time1834
to be well on one's (also the) way1839
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > progress or advance in an action [verb (intransitive)] > make good progress
to go or run on wheelsc1547
forge1769
to be off and running1823
to be well on one's (also the) way1900
to take or make strides1926
1839 Corsair 27 Apr. 105/1 Having made one author, entirely by themselves, and he well on his way to immortality, this same creative circle undertook another.
1880 C. C. Jackson Old Régime I. viii. 99 The scheme was well on its way towards realization.
1900 P. F. Warner Cricket in Many Climes i. iv. 59 Dick Berens ran me out when I was well on my way to a hundred.
1927 Amer. Mercury Feb. 220/1 It would appear to be well on the way to losing it through the rapid urbanization it is undergoing.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 19 Jan. 50/3 Today we may well be on the way to serious under-production.
1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 21 Three wickets in the second innings. Five in the match. I was on my way. Slowly.
2013 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 12 May (Review section) 4/1 Some experts say we are well on our way toward the sixth great extinction.
(v) colloquial (originally U.S.). on your way (also, now rarely, be on your way, get on your way): (as an imperative) go away, get going. Also occasionally (U.S.): expressing astonishment or incredulity; ‘get out’, ‘get away’ (see to get out 1b(b) at get v. Phrasal verbs 1, to get away 1b(b) at get v. Phrasal verbs 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [phrase]
here lies our way1609
go scrape!1611
off (with you)!1809
on your way1865
twenty-three skidoo1926
(get) on your bike1980
1865 Flag of Our Union 6 May 286/2 Place up the shutter as quickly as possible, and be on your way to a place of safety.
1893 tr. Herodas in J. A. Symonds Stud. Greek Poets (ed. 3) II. xx. 235 Go, get on your way, and don't take him round by Miccale's, but follow the straight road.
1903 ‘O. Henry’ Trimmed Lamp (1907) 236 Be on your way, Freddie.
1910 P. G. Wodehouse Gentleman of Leisure xi. 109 ‘We're going down with him to the country to-day, Spike, so be ready.’ ‘On your way, boss. What's dat?’
1974 ‘P. B. Yuill’ Bornless Keeper xii. 113 Toddle off back to Victoria... On your way, amigo.
1998 R. Powers Gain (1999) 114 'Bye. On your way with you. One down, five to go.
(vi) colloquial (originally U.S.). Followed by an adverb of direction.
(1) on the (also one's) way up (also in, etc.): expressing a rise in status, position, estimation, or favour. Similarly on the (also one's) way down: expressing the opposite sense (see also on the (also one's) way out at Phrases 2g(c)(vi)(2)).
ΚΠ
1888 Unitarian Rev. Feb. 120 The thrifty, hard-working, hard-dealing man of the middle class, who is on his way up, is disliked by those above and below him.
1902 Railroad Trainmen's Jrnl. Oct. 783/2 I used to know him..in the old days when he was on his way up; he began right at the bottom and worked his way up.
1938 Sat. Rev. (U.S.) 17 Sept. 17/1 The thrill of being on the way up, of being prominent, being envied.
1938 H. L. Ickes Diary 5 Nov. (1955) II. 497 France is but little better than a third-rate power and is on the way down.
1949 U. Sinclair O Shepherd Speak! vi. 104 Some schools were on their way in and others on their way out.
1960 Guardian 9 Dec. 8/5 Sunrise yellows and pinks are definitely on the way in.
1975 D. Bagley Snow Tiger xx. 163 This is the last job I'll hold as chief engineer. If I lose it I'll be on the way down—I'll be assistant to some smart young guy who is on his way up.
1980 A. Scholefield Berlin Blind i. 5 Calland was a good-looking young man on the way up.
2009 N.Y. Times Mag. 4 Jan. 14/1 But the site is on the way up, with a bullet; other big media companies are struggling to copy its clean design.
(2) colloquial (originally U.S.). on the (also one's) way out: Going down in status, position, estimation, or favour; spec. close to death, about to die.
ΚΠ
1937 Time 25 Jan. 12/3 Every time one of them has called on the President and emerged smiling, rumor has whispered throughout Washington that the other was ‘on his way out’.
1955 A. L. Rowse Expansion of Elizabethan Eng. i. 27 The Scottish king could well afford to make the concession: she was on her way out, he was on his way in.
1962 in R. Jarrell Sad Heart at Supermarket 92 Poetry is on the way out!
1969 R. A. Campbell tr. Seneca Lett. from Stoic xii. 57 He looks as if he's on the way out. Where did you get him from? What was the attraction in taking over someone else's dead for burial?
1978 E. M. Chamberlain Gates of Fire vii. 140 Once mine [sc. a parachute] opened only partially and then gave out at eighteen hundred feet. ‘At last,’ I thought, ‘I'm on my way out.’
1998 R. Price Freedomland ii. ix. 159 The guy looked dope-sick—swollen hands, cloudy-eyed, on his way out.
2011 New Yorker 18 Apr. 94/3 The Relationship Status menu, among whose options is the phrase ‘It's complicated’. This may be a euphemism for ‘on my way out’.
(d) on the way.
(i) Of a woman: a specified number of months pregnant. In early use on her way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > pregnancy or gestation > [adverb]
on the way1598
progestationally1943
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 666 She is two months on her way [sc. with child] . View more context for this quotation
1779 Literary Fly 30 Jan. 15 An intimate friend, whose amiable wife—almost eight months on her way to make him a father.
1865 A. Macdonald Let. Apr. in A. W. Baldwin Macdonald Sisters (1960) vi. 100 Poor Mrs Hughes..is ‘on the way again, blest if she ain't’.
1941 E. Welty Curtain of Green (1943) 39 I bet you another Jax that lady's three months on the way.
2008 Filipino Rep. (N.Y.) 5 Sept. 37 Jinkee Pacquiao is five months on the way, and the husband, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, is just as excited.
(ii) Of a baby: in the womb; as yet unborn; (also) about to be born; in the process of being born. Also occasionally on the ways.
ΚΠ
1887 A. Bower Asserted but not Proved vi. 50 He's gone to the next village; there's a baby on the way.
1898 R. Kipling Day's Work 306 I'm a married man, an' my fourth's on the ways [sic] now, she says.
1919 V. Woolf Night & Day ix. 121 He has two children, and another on the way.
1961 G. Greene Burnt-out Case vi. i. 183 I think I have a baby on the way... He doesn't want one.
2004 All About Soap 23 Oct. 18/3 Pretending the young mum-to-be's baby is on the way, the despicable duo con the neighbours into giving them money for a taxi to the hospital.
2014 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 29 Oct. 5 I had three babies and another one on the way.
h. out of the (also one's) way. See also out-of-the-way adj.
(a) With reference to a person's path or a course of action.
(i) Off one's course; outside of the road or route by which one is travelling. Also in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > on course [phrase] > away from proper course
out of the wayc1175
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > a land or country > part of country or district > [adjective] > remote or outlying
out of the wayc1175
uplandishc1380
foreign1424
outland1500
outlying1651
outsetting1658
back country1775
out-of-the-world1775
outlandish1792
outworld1808
upcountry1810
backwoodish1836
fresh water1860
backwoodsy1862
way back1884
outstate1911
upstate1935
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6569 Ta þreo kingess turrndenn hemm. Vt off þe rihhte weȝȝe. & forenn till herode king.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3956 Ðis asse wurð so sore of-dred Vt of ðe weige it haueð him led.
?c1475 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 15562) f. 90v Owt of way, delirus.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. f. clxv/1 The first squyer..departed fro Puirenon at the hour of mydnight, and all the night he rode out of his way.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Deflecto Ex itinere ad visendum aliquem deflectere, to turne out of the way to see one.
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 105 Meane-while it is nothing out-of my way, to prayse the close, or suspicious Asse, that will not trouble any other with his priuy Counsell, but can be content to be his owne Secretary.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 7 Nor lead me like a fire-brand, in the darke Out of my way . View more context for this quotation
1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 161 Let us then..step a little out of our way, and say somewhat of the Critical days.
a1704 J. Locke Conduct of Understanding §34 in Posthumous Wks. (1706) 105 They are more in danger to go out of the way, who are marching under the Conduct of a Guide, that 'tis an hundred to one will mislead them, than he that has not yet taken a step, and is likelier to be prevail'd on to enquire after the right way.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 12 It being a Month's Sail out of his Way.
1890 A. C. Bickley Midst Surrey Hills III. xxvii. 214 It was a good mile out of his way, but he felt he must see it again.
1960 H. Lee To kill Mockingbird xxvii. 262 Calpurnia said it was hard on Helen, because she had to walk nearly a mile out of her way to avoid the Ewells.
1993 L. Sparks in J. Wright Traveling High Way Home (1995) x. 119 I got on this big interstate and man, I must have gone two hundred miles out of the way. And we had to be somewhere next day for a show.
(ii) figurative, with the idea of having gone astray or being confused, in error, or mistaken. Now rare.
ΚΠ
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Royal) 302 He sent us to wrenchen eni rihtwise ut of þe weie.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1019 Sche trowed trewly..were sche out of þe weye þat william wold fonde for to pleie in þat place þe priue loue game.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. ii. 172 Somtyme kynde gooþ out of þe waye [L. Deuiat].
1487 W. Cely Let. 12 Sept. in Cely Lett. (1975) 233 He sayth yee schall be to ffar owte of the weye wythowte yee gree and bargeyne togeder.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 715/1 He hath set me out of the waye with his teachynge: par son enseignement il ma desuoyé.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iv. sig. Tt.iiii Perhappes M. Morrello is not altogether out of the way in saing that beawty is not alwayes good.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 3 Know he, that he is much deceived, and to say more truely, quite out of the way.
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 102 They are cleane out of the way, who when they wold vse them for any inward cause, doe cast away their winges and feete.
1694 F. Atterbury Scorner Incapable of Wisdom 8 Thus it is in all matters of Speculation or Practise; He that knows but a little of 'em..is more out of the way of True Knowledge than if he knew nothing at all.
1728 J. Gay Beggar's Opera i. v. 6 Never was a Man more out of the way in an Argument than my Husband.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxix. 173 Our Governors cannot be always in the wrong; and he therefore who never gives them a Vote, must probably be as often out of the Way as they.
1780 London Mag. 49 App. 595/2 You seem to me quite out of the way, when you offer to insist on your daughter's compliance with what she looks upon as an intolerable slavery.
1824 Let. 2 Aug. in J. Constable Corr. (1962) 216 Every body say Josselyn has been quite out of the way..in his ideas of the value of land.
1879 C. H. Spurgeon Metrop. Tabernacle Pulpit XXIV. 203 We are all out of the way in some measure; the best child of God on earth is not perfect.
1906 G. M. Bodge Soldiers in King Philip's War (2002) v. 115 We shall not be far out of the way in concluding that the others were joined with the troopers in making up the twenty-six.
(iii) out of his (her, its, etc.) way, out of the way (of): away from the path in which a person or thing is moving; in a position which does not block or impede another, or is at a safe distance from a source of danger.out of harm's way: see harm n. 1c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > a long way off [phrase] > out of range or reach
out of the way1484
out of distancea1500
on the windy side of1600
in the clear1901
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adverb] > at or to a distance
ferrenc888
farc900
longOE
afarc1300
yond13..
on length1340
alonga1382
adreigha1393
on dreicha1400
afar offc1400
far-aboutc1450
alengtha1500
distantlya1500
remote1589
remotely1609
yferrea1643
out of his (her, its, etc.) way1650
adistance1807
away1818
way1833
way1833
way off1836
way out1840
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iii. iii. f. lvv Thow puttest not thy self asyde and oute of my waye [Fr. de mon chemin], so that I myght passe.
1513 Lydgate's Troye Bk. (Pynson) iii. xxii. sig. O.iiijv/1 The grekes flockmele, fledde out of his way.
1550 R. Crowley One & Thyrtye Epigrammes sig. Cvv If Abner had knowne, what was in Ioabs harte I do not doubt but he would haue out of his waye sterte.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule & Exercises Holy Living ii. §5 Men stand upon their guard against them [sc. inquisitions], as they secure their meat against harpies and cats, laying all their counsels and secrets out of their way.
a1701 H. Maundrell Journey Aleppo to Jerusalem (1703) 55 The embroylments and factions that were then amongst the Arabs..made us desirous to keep as far as possible out of their way.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 28 They sent us a great many Bombs,..there came one swift as Lightning. I had much ado to get out of it's Way.
1858 A. Trollope Dr. Thorne II. ii. 25 The fellow kept out of my way, and I couldn't see him.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita I. xii. 423 Always glad to have me out of her way.
1913 J. G. Frazer Psyche's Task (ed. 2) iv. 80 If the two meet on a path they carefully avoid each other; he will step out of the way and she will hurry on.
1916 ‘B. M. Bower’ Phantom Herd 27 [He] backed out of the way of the Native Son, who sprawled himself over the table corner.
1955 A. West Heritage i. 12 The poor mite does all he can to keep out of your way, ma'am.
2009 J. Struthers Red Sky at Night 17 The mountain or blue hare..lives in the Scottish Highlands, keeping well out of the way of potential predators.
†(iv) out of my (your, etc.) way: not suited to a person's tastes, abilities, or purpose. Cf. in my (his, etc.) way at Phrases 2e(i). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > unsuitability or inappropriateness > unsuitable or inappropriate [phrase]
out of the waya1450
out of my (your, etc.) way1555
out of place1560
in (or out of) one's line1886
out of key1920
1555 J. Heywood Two Hundred Epigrammes with Thyrde sig. D.vii It is owt of my wey, so it lyghtly mey To al good thyngs thy wey is owte of the wey.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Gggg2v/2 This is a Thing out of my Way, not proper to me, cela n'est pas mon Affaire.
1707 J. Freind Acct. Earl of Peterborow's Conduct in Spain 165 What other Negotiations his Lordship carried on..is out of my way to relate.
1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret ii. 45 I don't much care for your poppers and sharpes, because why, they are out of my way.
1781 H. Cowley Belle's Stratagem iii. i. 39 Now I beg, my dear Mr. Hardy, you won't interfere in this business; it is a little out of your way.
1841 S. Warren Ten Thousand a-Year II. vii. 188 I'd give a trifle to know how..such people ever came to be concerned in such a case. 'Tis quite out of their way—which is in the criminal line of business!
1867 Once a Week 16 Nov. 572/2 You see, it's rather out of my way, being of use to other people.
1906 Internat. Q. Jan. 283 A considerable period of English political history that would otherwise have been rather out of my way became exceedingly attractive to me.
(v) to put (a person) out of his (her, etc.) way (also to put (a person) out of the way): to disturb, inconvenience, trouble; (formerly also) †to disappoint, foil; to vex, anger. Frequently reflexive (esp. with for): to make an effort at one's own inconvenience in order to help another. Cf. to put out 9e at put v. Phrasal verbs 1. †to be out of the way (with): to be angry or annoyed (with) (obsolete rare).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > be annoyed or vexed by [verb (transitive)] > annoy or vex
gremec893
dretchc900
awhenec1000
teenOE
fretc1290
annoyc1300
atrayc1320
encumberc1330
diseasec1340
grindc1350
distemperc1386
offenda1387
arra1400
avexa1400
derea1400
miscomforta1400
angerc1400
engrievec1400
vex1418
molesta1425
entrouble?1435
destroublea1450
poina1450
rubc1450
to wring (a person) on the mailsc1450
disprofit1483
agrea1492
trouble1515
grig1553
mis-set?1553
nip?1553
grate1555
gripe1559
spitec1563
fike?1572
gall1573
corsie1574
corrosive1581
touch1581
disaccommodate1586
macerate1588
perplex1590
thorn1592
exulcerate1593
plague1595
incommode1598
affret1600
brier1601
to gall or tread on (one's) kibes1603
discommodate1606
incommodate1611
to grate on or upon1631
disincommodate1635
shog1636
ulcerate1647
incommodiate1650
to put (a person) out of his (her, etc.) way1653
discommodiate1654
discommode1657
ruffle1659
regrate1661
disoblige1668
torment1718
pesta1729
chagrin1734
pingle1740
bothera1745
potter1747
wherrit1762
to tweak the nose of1784
to play up1803
tout1808
rasp1810
outrage1818
worrit1818
werrit1825
buggerlug1850
taigle1865
get1867
to give a person the pip1881
to get across ——1888
nark1888
eat1893
to twist the tail1895
dudgeon1906
to tweak the tail of1909
sore1929
to put up1930
wouldn't it rip you!1941
sheg1943
to dick around1944
cheese1946
to pee off1946
to honk off1970
to fuck off1973
to tweak (a person's or thing's) tail1977
to tweak (a person's or thing's) nose1983
to wind up1984
to dick about1996
to-teen-
the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > be or become irritated [verb (intransitive)]
enchafec1380
fume and chafec1522
chafe1525
to fret and fume1551
rankle1582
to lose patience, one's temper1622
pique1664
to have no patience with1682
ruffle1719
to be out of the way (with)1740
echinate1792
nettle1810
to get one's dander up1831
to set up one's jay-feathers1880
hackle1935
to get off one's bike1939
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > be disappointed [verb (intransitive)] > cause disappointment
to put (a person) out of his (her, etc.) way1796
disappoint1843
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > make effort at one's own inconvenience
to put (a person) out of his (her, etc.) way1818
1653 R. Mead Combat Love & Friendship v. iv. 72 She'l put him out of his way and spoyl his riming.
1660 R. Baxter Vain Relig. Formal Hypocrite 72 The interposition of a friend or some intervenient word or business, is so small a rub, that it seldom puts him out of his way.
1692 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. (1693) §11. 10 They should be afraid to put Nature out of her Way in fashioning the Parts [of the body].
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxii. 57 By what Mr. Jonathan tells me just now, he was quite out of the way with you.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. v. 24 If, indeed, I am out of the way a little, I always take care to reward the varlets for bearing patiently my displeasure.
1796 F. Jacson Plain Sense (ed. 2) III. 173 Though, at present, we are put something out of our way, we hope still to find some sacred spot of earth.
1818 W. Hazlitt Table-talk (1869) xxv. 346 They cannot put themselves out of their way on any account.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxx. 188 Anything [to drink] that's handy, miss; don't put yourself out of the way on our accounts.
1858 W. M. Thackeray Virginians ii Why should Lady Castlewood put herself out of the way to welcome the young stranger?.. Was a great lady called upon to put herself out of the way for such a youth?
1873 M. Oliphant Innocent III. xi. 177 The maids not caring to put themselves out of the way for such guests.
1914 Round Table (Beloit Coll., Wisconsin) 28 Oct. 47/1 It won't put you out of your way much and it surely does help the fellow who is standing the grief.
1939 Irish Times 2 Oct. 4/7 He has no intention of going to war for Hitler, nor will he put himself out of the way to supply a bankrupt Germany.
1987 X. Hollander Happy Hooker (rev. ed.) xi. 208 He puts you out of your way to get a special type of girl, even if there are several already sitting around.
2013 Essex Chron. (Nexis) 13 June 3 I love to help regardless of whether or not it puts me out of my way.
(vi) to go out of one's way (to do something): to make a special effort to do something; to do more than is required or called for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > be willing [verb (intransitive)]
willeOE
reckeOE
to make no courtesy1542
sussy1567
fadge1592
brook1604
to make no knobs1677
to go out of one's way (to do something)1680
1680 tr. J. Daillé Lively Picture of Lewis du Moulin 3 A very small matter did not only put him into a commotion, but into a rage: and made him go out of his way to be revenged.[No corresponding clause in the Latin original.]
1726 J. Oldmixon Crit. Hist. Eng. II. vi. 272 Mr. Echard goes out of his Way, to be thus Ceremonious, and worships the Cardinal without Occasion.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. lxvi. 321 The culpable freedoms of persons, who, in what they went out of their way to say, must either be guilty of absurdity, meaning nothing; or, meaning something, of rudeness.
1835 N.Y. Mirror 9 May 353/2 He never went out of his way to oblige me.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. App. 645 One..hardly sees why any one should go out of his way to invent the tale.
1915 J. Turner Let. 19 Apr. in C. Warren Somewhere in France (2019) 7 Do not, I beg of you, so put yourself out because a fellow goes out of his way to write a glowing acknowledgement.
1926 D. L. Sayers Clouds of Witness vi. 138 All these new-fangled doctors went out of their way to invent subconsciousness and kleptomania.
1988 N. Bissoondath Casual Brutality viii. 166 I took, for amusement, to asking directions of strangers; it was remarkable how people went out of their way to help.
2003 S. Brett Murder in Museum xxxiv. 280 That woman—whom he'd gone out of his way to help—had made him look a fool there.
(b) figurative, esp. with reference to a person's speech or behaviour.
(i) Modifying a verb: out of place, beside the mark, amiss; (later) spec. in a manner that goes beyond what is normal or accepted; oddly, unusually, unexpectedly. Cf. out-of-the-way adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > unsuitability or inappropriateness > unsuitable or inappropriate [phrase]
out of the waya1450
out of my (your, etc.) way1555
out of place1560
in (or out of) one's line1886
out of key1920
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [adverb]
adwolec1275
amissc1275
mislichec1275
out of the waya1450
erroneously1512
perperously1657
mistakenly1660
by (rarely from, in a) mistake1678
a1450 (c1375) G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite (Tanner 346) (1878) l. 318 Haue I oghte seyde oute of the way [c1450 Fairf. seyd oght amys I prey]?
1577 tr. ‘F. de L'Isle’ Legendarie sig. vijv Of him therefore did not a gentleman of Caux speake much out of the waye, when [etc.].
a1624 Bp. M. Smith Serm. (1632) 207 But surely he that should say, that this one verse deserueth all these Elogies and Titles, should not speake a whit out of the way.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. v. xii. 144 It's surprizeable to me, Mr. Hobson, you can behave so out of the way!
1918 K. Rhodes Sands of Gold (1919) xviii. 251 Nothing is in the least likely to happen out of the way. Go just for an hour, if you like—but anyhow, go.
1964 R. Brautigan Confederate Gen. from Big Sur (1991) 27 ‘Sure,’ she said, without smiling or being embarrassed or acting out of the way or anything.
1995 New Straits Times (Malaysia) (Nexis) 28 May 11 Bouncers were not above the law and could be charged with assault if they behaved ‘out of the way’.
(ii) In predicative use or as a complement: out of place, inappropriate; seldom met with; unusual, odd, peculiar, remarkable. Formerly also: †erroneous, incorrect; (later) not in vogue, unfashionable (obsolete). Cf. out-of-the-way adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > [adjective]
unrightlyeOE
leasea900
falsec1175
untruec1370
untruefulc1380
erroneousc1400
fallacec1400
wrongc1420
unsubstantialc1455
wrongfulc1470
unrighteous1507
improper1531
perverse1531
mistaken1540
square1549
truthless1568
uncorrect1568
misconceiveda1612
errorous1633
swervinga1638
tralatitious1645
out of the way1676
wrongous1768
aberrated1834
aberrational1837
unsubstantiated1837
unevidenced1842
non-realistic1882
unsubstantiate1890
screwed-up1942
disauthentic1960
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > abnormal [phrase] > odd
out of the way1765
?1510 T. More tr. G. Pico della Mirandola in tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola Lyfe I. Picus sig. d.iii To sey we do euell but if we do so. this is farr owt of the way.
1568 T. Hacket tr. A. Thevet New Found Worlde xvi. 25 Also it shal not be out of the way [Fr. hors de propos], to say that [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 358 A pox a drowning, tis cleane out of the way.
1676 H. Phillippes Purchasers Pattern 106 This rule of reckoning..will not be much out of the way, if you reckon the money by the Tables of rebate.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia Generalis 1299/1 I think it not out of the way, non alienum puto.
a1699 W. Temple Ess. Health & Long Life in Wks. (1720) I. 273 Mine [sc. my three wishes] were Health, Peace, and fair Weather; which, though out of the way among young Men, yet perhaps might pass well enough among old.
1765 Museum Rusticum 4 99 The writers of them fell entirely in [with] my opinions, odd, unaccountable, and out of the way as they may appear to many.
1835 Penruddock I. xiv. 252 He did not immediately recover his surprise; while the idea that it was not so very preposterous, so very out of the way to be mistaken for one so handsome..passed over his mind.
1873 M. Oliphant Innocent III. xx. 331 If anything out of the way turns up, nobody will remember that such a thing ever happened.
1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham xxvi. 476 Did you ever know me to do anything out of the way?
1892 Nation (N.Y.) 54 232/3 Therefore much that still passes current as opinion about him is pitifully out of the way.
1910 Proc. Connecticut State Med. Soc. 74 When you consider that we get this journal in addition to what we have had previously..the amount does not seem out of the way.
1986 K. Amis Old Devils x. 292 You noticed nothing out of the way but I thought he looked awful.
2013 Providence (Rhode Island) Jrnl. (Nexis) 24 June 1 You never saw anything out of the way... You never saw any conflict in the family?
(c) With reference to the state or condition of a person or thing.
(i) to put (also †bring, †take, †rid, etc.) out of the way: to get rid of, do away with, esp. to kill. Also with a verb expressing the means of the action, as †to hang out of the way, †to shoot out of the way. Formerly also †to be out of the way: to be dead (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]
swevec725
quelmeOE
slayc893
quelleOE
of-falleOE
ofslayeOE
aquellc950
ayeteeOE
spillc950
beliveOE
to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE
fordoa1000
forfarea1000
asweveOE
drepeOE
forleseOE
martyrOE
to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE
bringc1175
off-quellc1175
quenchc1175
forswelta1225
adeadc1225
to bring of daysc1225
to do to deathc1225
to draw (a person) to deathc1225
murder?c1225
aslayc1275
forferec1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
martyrc1300
strangle1303
destroya1325
misdoa1325
killc1330
tailc1330
to take the life of (also fro)c1330
enda1340
to kill to (into, unto) death1362
brittena1375
deadc1374
to ding to deathc1380
mortifya1382
perisha1387
to dight to death1393
colea1400
fella1400
kill out (away, down, up)a1400
to slay up or downa1400
swelta1400
voida1400
deliverc1400
starvec1425
jugylc1440
morta1450
to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480
to put offc1485
to-slaya1500
to make away with1502
to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503
rida1513
to put downa1525
to hang out of the way1528
dispatch?1529
strikea1535
occidea1538
to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540
to fling to deathc1540
extinct1548
to make out of the way1551
to fet offa1556
to cut offc1565
to make away?1566
occise1575
spoil1578
senda1586
to put away1588
exanimate1593
unmortalize1593
speed1594
unlive1594
execute1597
dislive1598
extinguish1598
to lay along1599
to make hence1605
conclude1606
kill off1607
disanimate1609
feeze1609
to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611
to kill dead1615
transporta1616
spatch1616
to take off1619
mactate1623
to make meat of1632
to turn up1642
inanimate1647
pop1649
enecate1657
cadaverate1658
expedite1678
to make dog's meat of1679
to make mincemeat of1709
sluice1749
finisha1753
royna1770
still1778
do1780
deaden1807
deathifyc1810
to lay out1829
cool1833
to use up1833
puckeroo1840
to rub out1840
cadaverize1841
to put under the sod1847
suicide1852
outkill1860
to fix1875
to put under1879
corpse1884
stiffen1888
tip1891
to do away with1899
to take out1900
stretch1902
red-light1906
huff1919
to knock rotten1919
skittle1919
liquidate1924
clip1927
to set over1931
creasea1935
ice1941
lose1942
to put to sleep1942
zap1942
hit1955
to take down1967
wax1968
trash1973
ace1975
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > be dead
sleepc950
restOE
liea1000
to be deadc1000
to lie lowa1275
layc1300
to be gathered to one's fathersa1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
to sup with our Saviour, with Our (the) Lord, with (Jesus) Christa1400
repose1586
slumber1594
to sup in heaven or hell1642
to turn one's toes up to the daisies1842
to be out of the way1881
to push up daisiesa1918
to have had it1942
RIP1962
1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. clvjv Their entente and secret councell is only to brynge all vnder their power and to take out of the waye whosoever letteth themor is to myghty for them.
c1535 F. Bygod Treat. Impropriations sig. C j As moche as lyeth in you, both god and all preachynge, and all other holy thynges ben clene extyncte..and specyally this holy ordynaunce [sc. preaching] put out of the waye.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward V f. xviiv When..these other lordes and knightes were thus beheaded and ryd out of the waye.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxxxij He doubted lest he might be brought out of the waie, as other dukes of Albany before had serued the heires of Scotlande.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxxxviijv Of Luther and the rest, there is no hope vnlesse they be dispatched out of the way [L. nisi opprimantur].
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1716/1 Ye said wicked Gardiner..bente all his deuises, to bringe this oure happy and deare soueraigne out of the waye.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 187 If this do not cure him [sc. a dog] within seuen daies, then let him be knocked on the head, or hanged out of the way.
1632 P. Massinger Maid of Honour iii. iii. sig. G4v I am halfe Hang'd out of the way already.
1679 Trials of Green, etc. for Murder of Sir E. Godfrey 30 He told me there was a Gentleman that was to be put out of the Way; that was the Phrase he used, he did not really say Murther him.
1757 in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Earl of Eglinton (1885) 313 in Parl. Papers 1884–5 (C. 4575) XLIV. 1 Old Admiral Holbourn, who curst and swore..because Byng was not Shot out of the Way.
1839 G. P. R. James Huguenot I. iv. 131 I would tie him to a tree and shoot him at once out of the way.
1867 J. A. Froude Short Stud. (ed. 2) 114 The Earl of Moray..was put out of the Way by an assassin.
1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War I. 123 The living have their rivals and detractors, but when a man is out of the way, the honour and good-will which he receives is unalloyed.
1949 Youth's Instructor 9 Apr. 26/1 A small black mongrel, which was brought in by the owner to be put out of the way because it was so unmanageable.
1996 A. Barrett Agrippina (1999) vi. 95 If he showed any inclination to go back on his word they had his permission to put him out of the way.
†(ii) to be out of the way: (of a thing) to be lost or missing. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > be lost [verb (intransitive)] > be missing or mislaid
to be out of the way1580
to fall by1640
to go missing1845
to go (on) walkabout(s)1944
to go walkies1971
1580 J. Stow Chrons. of Eng. 366 Capons and Geese would not be founde, Egges were hard to come by, Sheepe dyed of the rotte, Swine were out of the way, a Quarter of Wheate, Beanes, and Pease, were solde for twentie Shillings.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iv. 80 I'st lost? i'st gone? speake, is it out o'the way ? View more context for this quotation
1673 E. Coles Pract. Disc. God's Sovereignty 272 If your helmet be out of the way, and fiery darts come pouring down; Hold up your Faith between your head and them.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Gggg2v/2 To be out of the Way, or out of its proper Place, être dispersé, égaré.
†(iii) to be out of one's way: to lead to or be the cause of a financial loss of a specified amount. Frequently with non-referential it as subject. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > expenditure > financial loss > suffer financial loss [verb (intransitive)]
to be out of one's way1596
to be in disburse1608
to be out of purse1615
bleed1671
to lie out of one's money1860
drop1876
1596 J. Harington Apol. sig. Nvijv Oh I remember him, he had a poore neighbour once dwelt at Holmeby, that made foure verses if I haue not forgot them, were fortie shillings out of his way.
1616 J. Chamberlain in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1848) (modernized text) I. 405 He did the lady a great piece of service to get her out of the Tower, where, if she had been at this time, it might chance been out of her way fifty or three score thousand pounds, at least.
1633 J. Shirley Gamester (1637) iii. F 3 A curse upon these reeling Dice, that last in and in Was out of my way ten peeces.
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ iii. xxix. 101 It is like to be out of my way 3000l.
1688 G. Miege Great French Dict. ii. sig. Gggg2v/2 'Tis much out of my Way, or to my Loss, cela m'a fait grand tort, ou j'y ai beaucoup perdu.
c1750 J. Nelson Jrnl. (1836) 23 Though it may be ten pounds out of my way to be turned out of my work at this time of the year.
1776 Coll. Most Remarkable & Interesting Trials II. 57/1 She said it would be five hundred pounds out of my way if I did not come to her.
1819 Ann. Reg. 1818 App. to Chron. 324/1 Brown, you are the poaching rascal I want: you have been pounds out of my way, and I will blow a hole through you.
1889 Eng. Mechanic 21 June 357/2 Deafness has been hundreds of pounds out of my way, since it was just sufficient to cause me to give up my paper reporting.
(d) With reference to the position of a person or object.
(i) Away from an obstructive position.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > [phrase] > away from an obstructive position
out of the way1529
out of the (also a person's) road1826
1529 T. More Dyaloge Dyuers Maters i. xxvii. f. xliiv/1 Wherof syth I haue shewed you the contrary and remoued yt blocke oute of the way for stumblyng, we shall I think sone se ye tother poynt, that Cryst commaundith vs to byleue his chyrch.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. lvii. C Take vp what ye can out of the waye, that ledeth to my people [1611 King James take vp the stumbling blocke out of the way of my people].
1641 G. Walker Hist. Creation iii. 40 I will briefly shew the weaknesse of the best arguments, which are brought to the contrary; and so will remove those clouds and mists out of the way, which seem to eclipse the truth.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. x. ii. 10 The Lady hath Time to adjust herself, or to remove any disagreeable Object out of the Way; for there are some Situations, in which nice and delicate Women would not be discovered by their Husbands. View more context for this quotation
1820 Niles' Weekly Reg. 2 Sept. 2/1 I saw a stout negro fellow..tugging at it, and he finally succeeded in putting it out of the way.
1892 F. Barrett Out of Jaws of Death iv. 26 It was a harder job than I expected to move the flagstone and get it out of the way.
1919 K. Pearson in C. Goring Eng. Convict Introd. 12 [Goring] clears out of the way for ever the tangled and luxuriant growths of the Lombrosian School.
1996 C. Brookmyre Quite Ugly One Morning xxiii. 152 He was able to..use his elbow to nudge it out of the way.
(ii) Away from places where one might be easily sought or found; away from the society of other people; (now usually) in a remote, unfrequented, secluded place; far from a main road or centre of population. Cf. out-of-the-way adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > away from other people or in a secluded place [phrase]
out of the way1554
from the way1570
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adverb] > out of public view
out of the way1554
behind the curtain1677
in pectore1679
in petto1712
behind the scenes1841
in (or into, out of) purdah1912
offstage1959
1554 J. Mason Let. 9 Nov. in P. F. Tytler Eng. under Edward VI & Mary (1839) II. 452 (modernized text) I had for answer, that I should not be out of the way in the afternoon, for that he intended to signify unto me his pleasure for answer to my request.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xxxiijv Duke Fridericke appointed certein..to conueighe Luther out of the way, in to some secrete place.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. i. 36 Ile deuise a meane to draw the Moore Out of the way . View more context for this quotation
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 84 They seeing..that it was impossible to save the Prince, kept out of the way.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xiv. 389 This seemed to us then to be a place out of the way, where we might lye snug for a while.
1741 H. Barnes Notes Cases Court of Common Pleas 1732–9 227 'Tis plain he kept out of the Way to prevent being arrested.
1745 R. Pococke Descr. East II. ii. 71 In order to make people resort to a place which was so much out of the way.
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 194 Out of the way, a thief who knows that he is sought after by the traps on some information and consequently goes out of town or otherwise conceals himself is said by his palls to be out of the way for so and so.
1844 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit xxxviii. 442 He had speculated too much and was keeping out of the way.
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel I. i. xii. 78 The Leslies don't mix with the county; and Rood lies very much out of the way.
1998 G. Phinn Other Side of Dale (1999) xvii. 183 ‘We don't generally get visitors up here.’ ‘You are a bit out of the way, certainly.’
(iii) figurative. Dealt with; finished.
ΚΠ
1831 E. L. Hazelius tr. J. H. Jung-Stilling Life ii. 15 All laboured with redoubled diligence, to get the work out of the way.
1857 S. Bowles Let. 16 Feb. in G. S. Merriam Life & Times S. Bowles (1885) I. xxv. 291 We should get those amendments out of the way before we strike out for the summer campaign.
1958 S. Beckett From Abandoned Work 18 So on to this second day and get it over and out of the way and on to the next.
1995 Victorian Soc. Ann. 1994 28 Once this matter was out of the way, the Prince continued quietly to buy land with the Surplus.
2010 Daily Tel. 24 June 2/6 Larger companies would be the first to auto-enrol staff, to ensure that ‘teething problems’ were out of the way by the time that family firms were forced to provide pensions.
(iv) Of a person: no longer an obstacle or hindrance to someone's plans.
ΚΠ
1879 A. W. Tourgée Fool's Errand xxi. 122 But only wait until the States are restored and the ‘Blue Coats’ are out of the way.
1917 Paper Maker's Jrnl. Aug. 17/1 The greatest enemy of our local is out of the way now and the skunks who depended on him to let them work in this mill without joining the union are beginning to get a case of cold feet.
1929 ‘E. Queen’ Roman Hat Myst. vi. 89 Now that Field is out of the way, I'm going to have his files and records gone over with a fine-comb.
1983 ‘J. Gash’ Sleepers of Erin (1984) xxiv. 187 Jason was out of the way—maybe only temporarily, because he might not have croaked, but for sure he'd not be chasing.
2008 R. D. Ondo Lore of Lake Erie xiii. 63 Richard Stern caused us a bunch of problems the last time we dredged. Now that he's out of the way, things will work out.
P3. Adverbial phrases containing the form ways with a singular determiner.
a. Noun phrases used adverbially, as each ways, this ways, that ways, which ways, the same ways, etc.: in the specified direction or manner. Also occasionally in prepositional phrases, as by this ways, in this ways. For corresponding phrases with the singular way, see A. 13a(a), A. 13b, Phrases 6. Now colloquial (chiefly U.S.) or nonstandard.Originally in phrases containing the genitive ways (Old English weges), most of which came to be treated as single-word adverbs, e.g. anyways adv., noways adv., otherways adv. and adj. (compare Old English ōðres weges in quot. OE2); see also -ways comb. form. Later phrases formed on this pattern were interpreted as containing the plural form and hence viewed as ungrammatical and largely restricted to informal and nonstandard varieties of the language. [Compare earlier adverbial use of the genitive in the sense ‘by the specified route’ (compare sense A. 7):
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) vii. 240 Ure eard soðlice is neorcsenawang, to þam we ne magon gecyrran þæs weges þe we comon.
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.i) anno 1016 Se cyng..syððan wende him suðwerd oþres weges [lOE Laud oðres weges] eal be westan.
]
ΚΠ
lOE Distichs of Cato (Trin. Cambr.) lxxxi. (homiletic commentary) in Anglia (1972) 90 16 Þonne nellað þa heafdu eall anes weges. Ac gif ðe heafdu anes weges nellað, þonne sceal þæt bodig bion þy bysigre.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Royal) (1981) 905 Þis pinful gin wes of swuch wise iginnet þet te twa turnden eiðer wið oðer, ant anesweis baðen; þe oðer turnden anesweis alswa ah to-ȝein þe oðere.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Royal) 308 (MED) Sei me ȝet witerluker..hwuches weis ȝe wurcheð ant bicherreð godes children.
c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) 112 Hit is þah i wedlac summes weies to þolien.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12690 Neoren hit noht cnihtes no þes wæies idihte.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 9333 Ælches weies[c1300 Otho weyes] him wes wa.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 123 Roberd þe Marmion þe same wayes did he, He robbed þorgh treson þe kirke of Couentre.
c1450 (c1425) Brut (Cambr. Kk.1.12) 352 Þe tokyn ij smale tewellys..and caste þe tewellys aboute þe Dukis nek..and þan þei drowen her towellis eche wayez.
1525 J. Clerk Let. 19 Mar. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 309 Ther powar shold gretly incresse by this ways.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement iii. f. c.xl.v/2 He hath altered his stayre another wayes, il a coutourne ses degrez tout aultrement.
1585 Earl of Leicester Corr. (1844) 463 Before which tyme, the winde beinge as it was, the fleete wolde be gonne over landes end, and passe that waies to the seas.
1590 R. Payne Briefe Descr. Ireland (1841) 9 Let the slope side of your ditch be towardes your marraine, and that wayes throw vp all your earth.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. vii. 20 He could not tell which waies to turne himselfe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 45 I pray your worship come a little neerer this waies . View more context for this quotation
a1642 R. Callis Reading of Statute of Sewers (1647) iii. 127 Doctor Bonhams Case, fol. 119 in the same Report, wherein the principal Case there put sways the same ways.
1705 J. Edwards Preacher 212 We are not remonstrating against Reason and Solid Argument: and indeed that Pious Father was never that ways enclined.
1833 Southern Agriculturist Feb. 99 The distances at which the common kinds of corn are planted in this section, are from three and a half to four feet between the rows each ways.
1896 G. Chanter Witch of Withyford xiv. 170 Going..up over the track that ways to Witches' Combe.
1909 Circle Mag. Aug. 66/3 No, he ain't going either ways, my dear—not toward home nor away from home.
1922 D. Figgis House of Success (ed. 4) i. 11 We'll be paying for this yet before we're out with the winter. I always seen it that ways myself.
1966 Praxis 2 103 However, there are also ontological reasons for conceiving them in this ways.
2002 Cigar Aficionado Jan. 108/1 TiVo's programming suggestions are off base about as often as they're right, but I do sometimes make real discoveries this ways.
b. With indefinite article.
(a) a good (also great, little, long, etc.) ways: a good (great, little, etc.) distance. Frequently followed by an adverb, esp. off, away. Cf. sense A. 12a. Now colloquial (chiefly North American).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > a distance
strikec1330
spacea1382
lengtha1500
starta1552
a good (also great, little, long, etc.) ways1568
a ways1858
1568 Newe Comedie Iacob & Esau iv. ii. sig. E.jv Come on then, folow me Mido a litle wayes.
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China 289 They..came vnto the gates of the cittie, after they had gon a good wayes in the suburbs.
1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 292 Hee was faine to goe a great wayes off to fetch his dinner.
1661 G. Bishop New Eng. Judged 82 For some Weeks he could not go home to his Own House, which was but a little ways from it.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xii. iii. 212 Not that I hope..to live to any such Age as that neither—But if it be only to eighty or ninety: Heaven be praised, that is a great Ways off yet. View more context for this quotation
1809 Ld. Byron Lines to Mr. Hodgson 25 June Falmouth..is no great ways from the sea.
1838 Southern Lit. Messenger Mar. 161/1 I haven't seen you for the last six months past, and yet we live so short a ways from each other as what we do.
1845 S. Judd Margaret i. xiv. 123 ‘It is only a little ways,’ replied she, ‘and I went clear down to the village to-day alone.’
1879 F. R. Stockton Rudder Grange xiv. 173 The houses scattered a long ways apart, like stingy chicken-feed.
1895 S. Crane Red Badge of Courage v. 55 His mouth was still a little ways open.
1916 M.A.C. Rec. (Michigan Agric. Coll. Soc.) 26 Sept. 4/2 He had gone but a short ways when he fell unconscious.
1979 N. Mailer Executioner's Song (1980) i. xxix. 445 Though I suppose at some point in the future..he may be eligible for parole, that's a long long ways away.
1986 T. Clancy Red Storm Rising (1988) xxi. 324 There is some movement on the road below us, but that's a good ways off, maybe a mile.
2006 A. M. Foley Having my Say xxiii. 141 A little ways upriver from Vienna, Maryland, the Nanticoke turned into Delaware water.
(b) colloquial (originally U.S., chiefly North American). a ways: a considerable or not insignificant distance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > a distance
strikec1330
spacea1382
lengtha1500
starta1552
a good (also great, little, long, etc.) ways1568
a ways1858
1858 Ohio Cultivator 15 May 149/1 ‘That subsoil plow runs like a daisy. I take a span of horses on Gill's No. 8, and turn over ten inches, then follow with another span on the subsoil, and go ten inches deeper.’ That man has an idea he owns quite a ways down.
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn xviii. 169 I poked into the place a-ways.
1896 O. P. Read Arkansas Planter x. 116 Here, let me carry it for you a ways.
1907 S. E. White Arizona Nights x. 165 The Yumas moved up river a ways.
1927 W. Faulkner Mosquitoes 202 I'll carry you a ways, until we get somewhere.
1938 T. Wilder Our Town i. 52 Can I walk along a ways with you?
1976 New Yorker 15 Mar. 67/1 As it passed over the ridge to land on the other side it hit a tree quite a ways up.
2006 I. Rankin Naming of Dead xx. 290 ‘You're a ways from home,’ Rebus advised him.
P4. Noun phrases with of.
a. With all and a noun, usually in phrases with go or other verb of motion.
(a) to go the way of all the earth (also world): to die. Also (in quot. 1600 and allusions to it) to walk the way of nature.Originally in biblical translations (Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 2:2). [After post-classical Latin ingredi viam universae terrae (Vulgate: Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 2:2), itself after Hebrew hālaḵ bĕ-ḏereḵ kol hā-’āreṣ, in the same sense.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)]
forsweltc888
sweltc888
adeadeOE
deadc950
wendeOE
i-wite971
starveOE
witea1000
forfereOE
forthfareOE
forworthc1000
to go (also depart , pass, i-wite, chare) out of this worldOE
queleOE
fallOE
to take (also nim, underfo) (the) deathOE
to shed (one's own) blood?a1100
diec1135
endc1175
farec1175
to give up the ghostc1175
letc1200
aswelta1250
leavea1250
to-sweltc1275
to-worthc1275
to yield (up) the ghost (soul, breath, life, spirit)c1290
finea1300
spilla1300
part?1316
to leese one's life-daysa1325
to nim the way of deathc1325
to tine, leave, lose the sweatc1330
flit1340
trance1340
determinec1374
disperisha1382
to go the way of all the eartha1382
to be gathered to one's fathers1382
miscarryc1387
shut1390
goa1393
to die upa1400
expirea1400
fleea1400
to pass awaya1400
to seek out of lifea1400–50
to sye hethena1400
tinea1400
trespass14..
espirec1430
to end one's days?a1439
decease1439
to go away?a1450
ungoc1450
unlivec1450
to change one's lifea1470
vade1495
depart1501
to pay one's debt to (also the debt of) naturea1513
to decease this world1515
to go over?1520
jet1530
vade1530
to go westa1532
to pick over the perch1532
galpa1535
to die the death1535
to depart to God1548
to go home1561
mort1568
inlaikc1575
shuffle1576
finish1578
to hop (also tip, pitch over, drop off, etc.) the perch1587
relent1587
unbreathe1589
transpass1592
to lose one's breath1596
to make a die (of it)1611
to go offa1616
fail1623
to go out1635
to peak over the percha1641
exita1652
drop1654
to knock offa1657
to kick upa1658
to pay nature her due1657
ghost1666
to march off1693
to die off1697
pike1697
to drop off1699
tip (over) the perch1699
to pass (also go, be called, etc.) to one's reward1703
sink1718
vent1718
to launch into eternity1719
to join the majority1721
demise1727
to pack off1735
to slip one's cable1751
turf1763
to move off1764
to pop off the hooks1764
to hop off1797
to pass on1805
to go to glory1814
sough1816
to hand in one's accounts1817
to slip one's breatha1819
croak1819
to slip one's wind1819
stiffen1820
weed1824
buy1825
to drop short1826
to fall (a) prey (also victim, sacrifice) to1839
to get one's (also the) call1839
to drop (etc.) off the hooks1840
to unreeve one's lifeline1840
to step out1844
to cash, pass or send in one's checks1845
to hand in one's checks1845
to go off the handle1848
to go under1848
succumb1849
to turn one's toes up1851
to peg out1852
walk1858
snuff1864
to go or be up the flume1865
to pass outc1867
to cash in one's chips1870
to go (also pass over) to the majority1883
to cash in1884
to cop it1884
snuff1885
to belly up1886
perch1886
to kick the bucket1889
off1890
to knock over1892
to pass over1897
to stop one1901
to pass in1904
to hand in one's marble1911
the silver cord is loosed1911
pip1913
to cross over1915
conk1917
to check out1921
to kick off1921
to pack up1925
to step off1926
to take the ferry1928
peg1931
to meet one's Maker1933
to kiss off1935
to crease it1959
zonk1968
cark1977
to cark it1979
to take a dirt nap1981
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Josh. xxiii. 14 Lo y today go in to þe wey of al erþe.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 3 Kings ii. 2 Lo I wende in to þe weie of al erþe.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Josh. xxiii. D Beholde, this daye do I go the waye of all the worlde.
1590 J. Penry Treat. Reformation sig. H2 When her Maiesty (whose lyfe the Lorde continue vnto his glory, the good of his church, & hir owne comfort) is gone the way of all the world.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. ii. 4 Hees walkt the way of nature, And to our purposes he liues no more. View more context for this quotation
1673 J. Dare Counsellor Manners 141 They fear that they shall not only be weakned and sore broken, but that their health passing away as a cloud, they shall go the way of all the earth.
a1751 J. Holland Serm. (1753) I. xi. 216 Thus you are to treat them as long as they live; and when they have walked the way of Nature, you are not released from all Obligations towards them.
1769 C. Chauncy Disc. Death T. Foxcroft 28 He had upon his mind, for some time before his death, a prevailing apprehension, that he should soon go the way of all the earth.
1859 Harper's Mag. Feb. 380/2 Year after year, as one generation went the way of all the earth, another would return to its birth-place.
1884 T. T. Fortune Black & White i. 14 There are no ‘Liberators’ to-day, and the William Lloyd Garrisons have nearly all of them gone the way of all the world.
1901 State Hist. Soc. Wisconsin: Exercises at Ded. New Building 8 We delight to honor the Society's founders who have walked the way of nature.
1916 Starke County (Knox, Indiana) Republican 20 Apr. 1/4 He has gone the way of all the world with the simple word ‘unknown’ pencilled on the small wooden slab.
1994 Guardian 13 June (G2 section) 7/1 (headline of obituary) Gone the way of all the earth.
(b) the way of all flesh: experience common to all people as they pass through life. Chiefly in to go the way of all flesh (formerly also to enter (into) the way of all flesh): to die; (in extended use) to disappear, fall into disrepair, be discontinued, etc. [Compare post-classical Latin via universae carnis the way of all flesh (from 11th cent. in British and continental sources). There appears to have been some variation between this and to go the way of all the earth at Phrases 4a(a) even in the biblical text; compare quots. 16091 and 16092, where the way of all flesh is used to translate post-classical Latin viam universae terrae, lit. ‘the way of all the earth’, and an early modern concordance of the Vulgate ( H. de Saint-Cher Sacrorum Bibliorum Vulgatae editionis concordantiae (1642)), which reads viam universi carnis for Joshua 23:14 in its entry for caro, but viam universae terrae under via and terra.]
ΚΠ
1564 E. Grindal Serm. Funeral Prince Ferdinandus sig. C.ii The most noble and myghty prince Ferdinandus the Romayne Emperour, for whose Funeral this preparation and concourse is here made, hath entred the way of all fleshe.
1607 T. Dekker & J. Webster West-ward Hoe ii. ii. sig. D I saw him euen now going the way of all flesh (thats to say) towardes the Kitchin.
1609 Bible (Douay) I. 1 Kings ii. 2 I enter into the way of all flesh [L. viam universæ terræ].
1609 Bible (Douay) I. Josh. xxiii. 14. Behold I this day enter into the way of al flesh [L. viam universae terrae].
1611 T. Heywood Golden Age iii. sig. F4v If I go by land, and mis-carry, then I go the way of all flesh. If I go by sea and mis-carry, then I go the way of all fish.
1675 M. D'Assigny tr. C. Drelincourt Christians Def. against Fears of Death xvi. 337 Consider that Death is the way of all flesh, and the Grave is the last retreat which God hath appointed for all living.
1751 T. Smollett Peregrine Pickle IV. c. 83 His noble patron was seized with an apoplectic fit, from which he was recovered by the physicians, that they might dispatch him according to rule; and accordingly, in two months after they were called, he went the way of all flesh.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. v. 53 I heard that don Rodrigo had gone the way of all flesh.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 27 He pardoned us off-hand, and allowed us something to live upon, till he went the way of all flesh.
1887 Murray's Mag. Sept. 422 His former retainer, Phil Judd, had long gone the way of all flesh, however seasoned.
1942 Motor Boating Jan. 117/1 Styles change..; and the first thing we know we shall be back where we began. It is the way of all flesh and the way of all boats.
2002 NFT Programme Booklet Sept. 11/1 Stroheim's cruelly ironic tale of a rakish Ruritanian aristocrat..who falls for an innocent young girl.., only for their love to go the way of all flesh.
(c) In extended use with the substitution of a specific noun, with reference to the death, decay, or decline of the specified thing. In later use often in weaker sense, with reference to a predictable but unwelcome outcome.
ΚΠ
1583 A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion sig. U.i There is something in the Sacrament materiall, which goeth the way of all meates: Ergo there is bread and wine.
1665 R. Brathwait Comment Two Tales Chaucer 34 Pity it were, thinks he, that so prety a Morsel of flesh should go the way of all Fish.
1792 European Mag. Oct. 262/2 It is now nineteen years since my black-ear'd beagle, Fleet, went the way of all dogs.
1823 Literary Examiner 20 Dec. 394 It is painful to reflect how many ingenious volumes..must, ere long, go the way of all paper and ink, and be seen no more for ever.
1881 Vick's Mag. Feb. 60/2 The Zonale and Scented Geraniums, and German Ivy have gone the way of all flowers that are not prepared for zero weather.
1920 Camera Craft Sept. 295 When this point has been reached, the fluid ounce will go the way of all obsolete inventions.
1935 H. Heslop Last Cage Down iii. x. 360 But it'll go the way of all relief funds. They'll appoint a set of trustees, and in fifty years' time somebody will still be farming the fund.
1971 B. Sidran Black Talk iii. 66 It is possible that without the recording industry, black music would have gone the way of all ‘folk’ music and would not have developed into the sophisticated mode of cultural expression it is today.
2001 Sunday Herald (Nexis) 10 June 14 The seat was theirs until 1997 when Ian Lang went the way of all Scottish Conservative MPs and lost by some 5600 votes to the SNP.
(d) the way of all (the) living: = to go the way of all flesh at Phrases 4a(b). Chiefly in to go the way of all (the) living: = to go the way of all flesh at Phrases 4a(b). Now rare.
ΚΠ
1607 R. Humfrey Conflict Iob xi. 100 Be cause of the weake and vnrecouerable estate of my body,..it seemeth to me to be his decree to take me out of this vale of misery: And hereevpon [sic] I perswade my selfe that it cannot be auoided, but that I must needs go the way of all the liuing.
1700 J. Shower Heaven & Hell 65 Death will determine our Everlasting State. It is the way of all Living.
1798 Christian Mag. 2 Apr. 147 I do think myself dying; I feel, notwithstanding what some folk say, that I must soon go the way of all living.
1854 Foreign Missionary May 265/2 He continued to grow worse, and on the above date, he went the way of all living.
1910 F. R. Marvin Excursions of Book-lover vi. 135 Conversation has gone the way of all the living.
1915 J. MacKinnon Sketch Bk. 76 The lumbering concern was then improvised for one beast, which before long went the way of all living.
b.
line of way n. a railway line; cf. sense A. 2e.
ΚΠ
1814 Repertory Arts, Manuf., & Agric. Feb. 134 It is however obvious, that as it [sc. the locomotive engine] has to travel on another line of way, and draw itself by another chain, that some preparatory alteration must now take place.
1826 Boston Jrnl. Philos. & Arts 3 374 It was considered that it might sometimes happen, from irregularity in the lines of way, that 2 tons would be thrown upon one wheel.
1905 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 12 Dec. 1822/1 The combination with a line of way, of a pair of electric circuits, one of which governs the power, brake, or other movement-controlling medium on a vehicle or train.
1969 Caribbean Stud. Oct. 43 William Davies..decided to apply to the Government for a concession that would embrace free land for the line and its termini (twenty blocks of 100 acres each along the line of way).
†c. way of indulgence: the Virgin Mary as a path to or means of divine forgiveness, pardon, or mercy. Obsolete. [Apparently after post-classical Latin via indulgentiae (15th cent. or earlier as an epithet of the Virgin Mary, rare).]
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > Mary > [noun]
ladyOE
queenOE
MaryOE
St MaryOE
starOE
Our LadylOE
lemana1225
maidena1225
maid Marya1225
heaven queenc1225
mothera1275
maiden Maryc1300
Star of the Seac1300
advocatrixc1390
mother-maidc1390
flower, gem, etc., of virginitya1393
the Virgina1393
mediatricea1400
paramoura1400
salver14..
advocatrice?a1430
Mother of God?a1430
way of indulgence?a1430
advocatessc1450
mother-maidenc1450
rose of Jerichoa1456
mediatrixc1475
viergec1475
addresseressa1492
fleur-de-lis?a1513
rosine?a1513
salvatrice?a1513
saviouress1563
mediatressa1602
advocatress1616
Christotokos1625
Deipara1664
V.M.1670
Madonnaa1684
the Virgin Mother1720
Panagia1776
Mater Dolorosa1800
B.V.M.1838
dispensatrixa1864
Theotokos1874
dispensatress1896
?a1430 T. Hoccleve Mother of God l. 8 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 52 Modir of mercy, wey of indulgence.
d. way of life.
(a) Senses relating to habit.
(i) A settled or habitual pattern of behaviour followed by a person or group. Cf. earlier way of living at Phrases 4e.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession
workeOE
mysteryc1390
facultyc1405
business1477
industrya1500
roomc1500
trade1525
pursuit1529
function1533
calling1539
profession?1552
vocation1553
entertainment1568
station1574
qualitya1586
employment1598
way of lifea1616
state1625
cloth1656
avocation1660
setworka1661
employ1669
estate1685
walk of life?1746
walk1836
the world > action or operation > behaviour > way of life > [noun]
lifeeOE
lifewayOE
livelihoodOE
livingc1350
dietc1460
tradec1485
use1488
daily life1516
way of living1516
governmenta1616
way of lifea1616
tread1628
mode1758
society > society and the community > customs, values, and civilization > customs, values, or beliefs of a society or group > [noun]
moursc1250
manners?a1425
way of living1516
fashions1555
way of lifea1616
ways1628
customary1796
moeurs1854
culture1860
mores1898
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. iii. 24 My way of life Is falne into the Seare, the yellow Leafe. View more context for this quotation
1652 Let. to Mr. Marriot 6 For your private way of life, you have given it a Geometricall proportion, squaring your mind and fortune with equall lines to a fit subservency of Natures requisites in food and raiment.
1741 Countess of Pomfret in Countess of Hartford & Countess of Pomfret Corr. (1805) III. 369 I have got into as regular a way of life here as I could be in at my own house.
1777 W. Jones Ess. i. 180 Since their way of life gives them leisure to pursue those arts.
1830 W. Scott Old Mortality Introd., in Tales of my Landlord (new ed.) I. 233 No entreaty could induce him to alter his erratic way of life.
1898 M. Pemberton Phantom Army i. vi That the hour would come when he must lay down the sword..and turn with shame from the old way of life.
1944 C. Isherwood Let. a26 Aug. (2011) I. 366 I don't want to go into the Hindu philosophy..except to say that it offers me personally a solution and a way of life which I desperately needed.
1969 Radio Times 3 Apr. 9/1 Gentlemen of the Road—a study of the Gypsy way of life.
2001 W. Ferguson Happiness (2003) xxxiii. 177 Our entire way of life is built on self-doubts and dissatisfaction.
(ii) A condition, activity, or principle that habitually guides or governs one's actions; a dominating interest, occupation, or goal.
ΚΠ
1884 Independent (N.Y.) 29 May 4/3 Christ becomes a way of life to men.
1917 H. J. Laski in Holmes-Laski Lett. (1953) I. 104 Education is a way of life and not the collection of information.
1938 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 44 1 (heading) Urbanism as a way of life.
1974 Times 8 Mar. 23/5 (heading) Hong-kong... Where a quick profit is a way of life.
2011 Wall St. Jrnl. 17 Sept. d10/1 BBQ in K.C...is a way of life. Grilling and chilling is a family affair, a business-deal sealer, an after-church ritual.
(iii) Something which is used habitually.
ΚΠ
1887 J. Fotheringham Stud. Poetry R. Browning xviii. 377 The poet had an eye to certain ‘revivals’ and ‘mediævalisms’ that were making a vain effort to become a ‘way of life’ to Englishmen.
1970 Daily Tel. 4 Sept. 5/2 The investigation..is expected to ask searching questions into the safety of supertankers, which have now become a ‘way of life’.
1976 Gramophone Aug. 353/2 It is in pop recording, however, that multi-track has really mushroomed into a way of life.
1985 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 10 Oct. b13/2 ‘The acceptance of plastic has reached an all-time high,’ John Bennett, senior vice-president of Visa, said. ‘Plastic has become a way of life.’
2014 Sunday Tel. (Nexis) 14 Dec. Chlorine is now a way of life in Sierra Leone—not only for those working with Ebola patients, but at the door of every shop and café, even at road blocks.
†(b) An occupation, a trade, a profession. Cf. earlier way of living at Phrases 4e, (also) walk of life n. 2. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 226 Hee makes himselfe heyre to all that dye, puts the young ones to some way of life, warre, or merchandize; none daring to call his title into question.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 21. ¶8 To place their Sons in a way of Life where an honest Industry cannot but thrive.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. ix. vi. 105 Her mother, she was sure, would never be at rest till he got into some higher way of life.
1823 T. Cosnett Footman's Direct. 2 Such of my readers as may be now candidates for gentlemen's service, must consider, that it is a way of life wholly different from any that they have been accustomed to.
1895 Spectator Lit. Suppl. 7 Dec. 793/1 She found herself..free to choose a way of life for herself..; but she doubted whether she would not be considered too old to begin mission work in India.
e. way of living.
(a) A settled or habitual pattern of behaviour followed by a person or group; = way of life (see Phrases 4d(a)(i)).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > way of life > [noun]
lifeeOE
lifewayOE
livelihoodOE
livingc1350
dietc1460
tradec1485
use1488
daily life1516
way of living1516
governmenta1616
way of lifea1616
tread1628
mode1758
society > society and the community > customs, values, and civilization > customs, values, or beliefs of a society or group > [noun]
moursc1250
manners?a1425
way of living1516
fashions1555
way of lifea1616
ways1628
customary1796
moeurs1854
culture1860
mores1898
1516 Kalendre Newe Legende Eng. (Pynson) sig. xxxiiiv He taughte theym the veray Catholycall waye of lyuynge, And brought theym to kepe the due tyme of Ester.
1571 E. Grant tr. Plutarch President for Parentes sig. C.ij They abhorre the healthful way of liuing, they contemn good order and institution.
1681 P. Rycaut tr. B. Gracián y Morales Critick To Rdr. sig. A 8 v Their Customs and way of living are different to other Nations of Europe.
1729 T. Innes Crit. Ess. Anc. Inhabitants Scotl. II. i. 429 The same author..tells us that in his time the Britains were, as to their manners and way of living, partly like to the inhabitants of the Gauls.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VIII. 184 If we examine their way of living, we shall find these insects chiefly subsisting upon others, much less than themselves.
a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) III. ix. 173 Their parents' inferior, retired, and unpolished way of living . View more context for this quotation
1903 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 29/1 Smith alone..adventured to regain a more reputable way of living.
1998 A. Martin Bilton xxi. 203 It was a completely communal way of living, with at least ten hours every day devoted to spiritual contemplation.
†(b) An occupation, a trade, a profession; = way of life (see Phrases 4d(b)). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties i. f. 46v Hercules..as soone as he waxed wheyberded, which time is graunted of nature, to chose, what waie of liuing eche man will enter.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 55. ¶1 Most of the Trades, Professions, and Ways of Living among Mankind.
f. way of looking at it (also things): a particular perspective from which one views a situation, event, or problem; a point of view.
(a) With possessive, referring to a person's point of view or opinion, esp. as characterized or shaped by particular attitudes and presuppositions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > mental attitude, point of view > [noun]
spectaclec1386
reckoninga1393
view1573
sect1583
prospective1603
light1610
posture1642
point of view1701
stand1819
attitude of mind1832
psychology1834
standpoint1834
perspective1841–8
position1845
viewpoint1856
angle1860
way of looking at it1861
attitudea1873
pose1892
Anschauung1895
slant1905
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. III. v. 95 Mary's habits, and thoughts, and ways of looking at and judging of people and things, were much changed.
1881 H. James Portrait of Lady I. xvii. 218 I can't make out that what he tells me about the royal family is much to their credit; but he says that's only my peculiar way of looking at it.
1905 E. G. White Ministry of Healing 483 We differ so widely in disposition, habits, education, that our ways of looking at things vary.
1982 Irish Times 22 Aug. 10/7 And so also it was with Mr Haughey, by his way of looking at it.
2007 M. Murray Tears for Breakfast (2008) v. 86 It's just her way of looking at things. We see it differently.
(b) With modifying adjective.
ΚΠ
1866 F. B. Zincke Extemporary Preaching 157 There is..quite another way of looking at it... I mean the Apostle's way of looking at it.
1893 ‘L. Carroll’ Sylvie & Bruno Concluded ii. 27 It's a new way of looking at it—to me..but it seems a true way, also.
1911 D. H. Lawrence White Peacock ii. i. 202 It's one way of looking at things.
1963 D. Lessing Man & Two Women 141 I mean to say, you've got to take the rough with the smooth, and there's no other way of looking at it.
2004 Jetsgo In-flight Mag. de Bord Oct. 17 Obviously that's a very pessimistic way of looking at things.
g. Fortification. way of the rounds: = chemin de ronde n.; cf. round n.1 23. Now rare. [after French chemin des rondes (see chemin de ronde n.)]
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > [noun] > between ramparts and wall of town
way of the rounds1638
chemin de ronde1691
1638 H. Hexam tr. S. Marolois & A. Girard Art Fortification i. 30 The way of the rounds [Fr. le chemin des rondes], or the falsebray, is on the outside of the body of the Fortresse.
1645 D. Papillon Pract. Abstr. Fortification & Assailing vi. 16 By reason of the great slope, that the Rampier hath, a way of some eight foot broad is presently formed, that runneth between the battlements of the wall, and the Rampier, that is called the way of the rounds, and in French Le chemin des rondes.
1709 J. MacGregory Geogr. & Hist. Tournay 34 Without the Rampart, there's First the Round Way, or the Way of the Rounds, being a Corridor, or Gallery, Fifteen Foot Broad, Guarded on the Out-Side with its Parapet and Banquet.
1759 tr. G. Le Blond Mil. Engineer II. 73 Observe whether before the parapet there is a way of the rounds, and if there is, examine whether it be practicable every where; whether one can see easily from it into the ditch.
1802 F. Gibson Mem. Bastile 20 The gateway that led to it between the towers, having long been walled up, the passage to the garden led by the way of the rounds.
1909 Archit. Rec. Feb. 115/2 Jean IV. de Beuil, improvements to the outer wall, the way of the rounds and the towers.
h. way of thinking.
(a) The habits of mind or mental framework that shape a person's judgements, conclusions, etc.; a set of opinions or principles characteristic of an individual or group; a perspective on life. Formerly also: †an intention, a purpose (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > intention > [noun] > intention or purpose
willeOE
highOE
thoughtOE
intent?c1225
achesounc1230
attenta1250
couragec1320
devicec1320
minda1325
studya1382
understanding1382
suggestionc1390
meaninga1393
i-minda1400
minta1400
tent1399
castc1400
ettlingc1400
affecta1425
advicec1425
intention1430
purposec1430
proposea1450
intendment1450
supposing?c1450
pretensionc1456
intellectionc1460
zeal1492
hest?a1513
minting?a1513
institute?1520
intendingc1525
mindfulness1530
cogitationa1538
fordrift1549
forecast1549
designing1566
tention1587
levela1591
intendiment1595
design1597
suppose1597
aim1598
regarda1616
idea1617
contemplationa1631
speculation1631
view1634
way of thinking1650
designation1658
tend1663
would1753
predetermination1764
will to art1920
the mind > mental capacity > belief > school of thought > [noun] > way of thinking
perspective1605
way of thinking1650
view1713
framework1754
ideology1896
value system1912
frame of reference1921
value orientation1940
blik1950
theology1962
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > moral philosophy > [noun] > moral tendency or way of thinking
makingc1400
manners1589
way of thinking1650
make1674
1650 W. Davenant Disc. upon Gondibert 3 Some..say, that..he hath rather proved a Guide for those, whose satisfi'd wit will not venture beyond the track of others, then to them, who affect a new and remote way of thinking.
1687 H. Aldrich Reply 2 Disc. iv. 23 The Author who has a peculiar way of thinking, can think but of two expedients to evade a contradiction, in affirming a real and substantial, contra distinct to a Zuinglian Real presence.
1690 W. Temple Ess. Gardens of Epicurus 57 in Miscellanea: 2nd Pt. The Chineses; a People, whose way of thinking, seems to lie as wide of ours in Europe, as their Country does.
1737 Gentleman's Mag. 7 81 The Thing..was, at the best, but a very mean Action, and argued a low Way of Thinking.
1744 M. Bishop Life Matthew Bishop 3 I hope he will turn your Heart from this Way of thinking [sc. wanting to go to sea].
1783 E. Burke in 9th Rep. Commons Sel. Comm. Bengal, Bahar, & Orissa 18 A Style,..full of quaint Terms and idiomatic phrases, which strongly bespeak English habits in the Way of Thinking.
1841 A. Helps Transact. Business in Ess. (1842) 93 It is often worth while to bestow much pains in gaining over foolish people to your way of thinking.
1891 R. Kipling Light that Failed xi. 214 More than you will be of that way of thinking, young woman.
1932 A. J. Worrall Eng. Idioms ix. 62 With some difficulty I brought him round to my way of thinking.
1964 J. A. M. Meerloo Hidden Communion ii. 23 The words ‘sign system’ and ‘communication’ limit our frame of reference and way of thinking.
2007 N. Rosen How to live Off-grid vii. 297 I left..determined to apply his way of thinking to my own situation and those of the people I met.
(b) to my (her, etc.) way of thinking: in my (your, etc.) opinion. Cf. way of thinking at Phrases 4h.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > personal opinion > [adverb] > in my opinion
to (my) seemingc1386
to my supposinga1393
in my mindc1400
conceitc1405
in one's own conceit1483
in my fantasy1561
to my mind1600
in my seeming1604
in (also to) my conception1650
to my way of thinking1733
if you ask me1873
1733 in tr. Anc. Accts. India & China Remarks 23 Such a Ceremony.., to their way of thinking, seemed to erect the Spiritual and Temporal Authority of the Kalif in the Country where it was used.
1802 Evangelical Mag. Mar. 104 To my way of thinking, this was all a shim sham job of it.
1860 J. W. Howe Trip Cuba iii. 24 They are indebted to the famous Bahama Banks, which to their way of thinking are institutions as important as the Bank of England itself.
1929 Appleton (Wisconsin) Post-Crescent 11 Apr. 13/5 Of course, I refer to fly fishing, and this, to my way of thinking, is the only real way to fish trout.
1958 J. Osborne & A. Creighton Epit. G. Dillon (1960) 168 Sex doesn't mean a thing to me. To my way of thinking, love is the more important.
1989 T. Parker Place called Bird xxiii. 291 To their way of thinking I've chosen to make my way in white man's America and not stay in theirs.
1997 L. Lippman Baltimore Blues ii. 20 To her way of thinking it wasn't much different from the old strip bars.
2006 Buffalo (N.Y.) News (Nexis) 17 Feb. g16 Sure beats mint jelly with lamb to my way of thinking—but then, of course, also to my way of thinking, almost anything does.
i. With world.
(a) the ways of the world: the customary or habitual actions and behaviour of people in society at large, esp. when viewed as a matter of practical knowledge and understanding acquired through experience; usually with the implication of lack of principle or moral laxity. Also occasionally the ways of this world. Cf. man of the world n., the ways of God at sense A. 16c.
ΚΠ
1549 W. Thomas Vanitee of World sig. Cviv Liftyng our eies vnto heauen, and our mindes aboue heauen: and confessyng our passed errours, the vanitees of our present lyfe, and the waies of the worlde.
1661 T. White Devotion & Reason vi. 73 He was according as we phrase it in English, a meer Scholler, and understood not the ways of the world, but was subject to be deluded by fraudulent Persons.
1712 Spectator No. 313. 369 Mr. Osburn speaking like a Man versed in the Ways of the World.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. i. iii. 9 He..was..as entirely ignorant of the Ways of this World, as an Infant just entered into it could possibly be. View more context for this quotation
1787 Daily Universal Reg. 14 Nov. 3 Undisciplined in the ways of the world,..she thought everyone was possessed with honour equally with herself.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 23 After having grown old in the ways of the world..hypocrisy, ‘swapping’, trading, and evil speaking.
1879 Musical Times 20 641/1 His ebullitions of wrath, in which, being ignorant of the ways of the world and judging too hastily by appearances, he was often gruff and unjust.
1936 J. A. Lomax & A. Lomax Negro Folk-songs ii. iii. 113 He has hollered and moaned his troubles and his observations on the ways of the world.
1950 E. Wilson in Bit between my Teeth (1965) 270 He sometimes introduces a young person, unbroken to the ways of this world, who tries to take a stand against it.
1991 Time 1 July 71/3 A sudden glimpse of his unstable temper makes her realize how inexperienced she is in the ways of the world.
2001 B. K. Das tr. P. Ray Primal Land lxix. 205 Although she had never seen the inside of a school she was wise in the ways of the world.
(b) the way of the world: the customary course of events; the manner in which people typically think or behave; the way things are. Chiefly used to express resigned acceptance of a regrettable but predictable state of affairs.
ΚΠ
1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 166 We shall follow the dead, whom we haue not lost, but giuen vp vnto God, who are gone but a little before vs: It is the way of the world [Fr. c'est le chemin du monde], our life doth so manifest it.
1700 W. Congreve Way of World v. i. 87 Even so Sir, 'tis the way of the World, Sir.
1729 W. Law Serious Call i. 13 Here you see, that one person has Religion enough, according to the way of the world, to be reckon'd a pious Christian.
1785 Daily Universal Reg. 23 July 3 If the friend betrays you, or if your health is injured by the woman, be comforted; it is the way of the world.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. v. i. 343 This is the way of the world! Every one fancies himself to be..superior to his neighbour.
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xviii. 176 Almost every person [in this story], according to his nature,..and according to the way of the world as it seems to us, is occupied about Number One.
1888 Science 27 July 43 Well, this is the way of the world. It is the fate of all great doctrines..to fall into the hands of practical men who troubled themselves but little about their abstract truth.
1921 E. A. Ross Princ. of Sociol. lv. 659 Such is the way of the world.
1991 J. Barnes Talking it Over xiii. 194 One person's happiness is often built upon another person's unhappiness, that's the way of the world.
2003 K. Sampson Freshers 45 It'd be different if she was a honey. I'm just being honest. It's the way of the world.
P5. In interjectional and imperative phrases. See also Phrases 1b(e)(ii).
†a. by the way of my soul, by the way my soul shall (go) to: (used as an oath or to emphasize the truth of a statement) by my soul's eternal fate, as I hope for salvation; honestly, earnestly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [interjection] > religious oaths (referring to God) > (originally) referring to one's soul or salvation
so God (also Christ) save mea1393
upon (also on) my perilc1395
by the way of my soul1397
1397–8 Rolls of Parl.: Richard II (Electronic ed.) Parl. Sept. 1397 Pleas §7. m. 4 But by the wey that my soule shal too, I mente none evylle ther in.
1460 J. Brackley in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 210 For be the weye of my sowle this lond were vttirly on-done.
?1548 L. Shepherd John Bon 3 Ye syr ye say true, all that I know in dede And yet as I remember it is not in my crede But as for cropsy cursty to be a man or no I knewe not tyll thys day by the waye my soule shal to.
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie xvi. sig. Hv For by the way that my soule shall go to, I cam hither against my will vnfayned.
a1563 J. Bale King Johan (1985) i. 46 Now welcum, cosyn, by the waye that my sowle shall to!
†b. take better way with you: used to enjoin someone to a more reasonable course. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > employ reason [verb (intransitive)]
to speak reasona1400
to listen to (also hear) reason1535
take better way with youa1556
rationalize1805
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iv. iii. sig. G.j Let me now treate peace, For bloudshed will there be in case this strife increace. Ah good dame Custance, take better way with you.
c.
(a) here lies our (also my) way: expressing the intention to depart immediately. Cf. I'll be on my way at Phrases 2g(c)(iii).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [phrase]
here lies our way1609
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [phrase]
here lies our way1609
go scrape!1611
off (with you)!1809
on your way1865
twenty-three skidoo1926
(get) on your bike1980
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. i. 81 Heere lyes our way . View more context for this quotation
1666 M. Medbourne St. Cecily ii. iii. 24 There's yours, you may be gone, here lies my way.
1706 C. Cibber Perolla & Izadora iv. 47 Come, Sir, here lies our Way.
(b) there lies your way: used to command someone to go away. Also here lies your way. Cf. on your way at Phrases 2g(c)(v).
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iii. iii. 82 The dore is open sir, there lies your way . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 194 Will you hoyst sayle sir, here lies your way. View more context for this quotation
1616 T. Draxe Bibliotheca Scholastica 29 Contempt. Heere is the doore, and there is the way.
1680 T. Shadwell Woman-captain ii. 26 Now you'l be gon; She you came for is safe! all your force cannot break open that Dore. There lies your way.
1792 H. Cowley Day in Turkey iii. 42 I mind ye no more than I do this sallow leaf—There—see—I blow it, and away it flies—go after it—there lies your way.
d. colloquial (originally U.S.). no two ways about it (also that): used to convey that there can be no doubt about something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > of course, certainly [phrase]
to iwissea1000
mid iwissea1000
in wisc1000
to wis(se)c1000
without(en (any) weenc1175
sans fail1297
thereof no strife1297
but werea1300
forouten werea1300
out of werea1300
without werea1300
without deceit1303
for certainc1320
it is to wittingc1320
withouten carec1320
without nayc1330
without noc1330
without (but out of) dread1340
no doubtc1380
without distancec1390
no fresea1400
out of doubta1400
without doubta1400
for, (in, at obs.), of, to (a) certaintyc1400
withouten stance14..
hazel woods shakea1413
of, on, in warrantisec1440
sure enough?1440
without question?1440
wythout diswerec1440
without any dispayrec1470
for (also of) a surety?a1475
in (also for) surenessa1475
of certainc1485
without any (also all) naya1500
out of question?1526
past question?1526
for sure1534
what else1540
beyond (also out of, past, without) (all) peradventure1542
to be a bidden by1549
out of (also without) all cry1565
with a witness1579
upon my word1591
no question1594
out of all suspicion1600
for a certain1608
without scruple1612
to be sure1615
that's pos1710
in course1722
beyond (all) question1817
(and) no mistake1818
no two ways about it (also that)1818
of course1823
bien entendu1844
yessiree1846
you bet you1857
make no mistake1876
acourse1883
sans doute1890
how are you?1918
you bet your bippy1968
1818 H. B. Fearon Sketches Amer. 320 You and I have got to dovetail, and no two ways about it.
1834 J. Hall Kentucky I. 145 ‘This has been a powerful hot day.’.. ‘No two ways about that,’ said the hunter.
1842 C. Dickens Amer. Notes I. vi. 200 Well, they're [i.e. the cells are] pretty nigh full, and that's a fact, and no two ways about it.
1919 T. K. Holmes Man from Tall Timber vi. 68 We're in for a dry spell, and no two ways about it.
1963 N. Marsh Dead Water (1964) iv. 98 There are no two ways about it, Miss Emily. That is what you will do.
2012 D. Park Light of Amsterdam i. 21 A genius, no two ways about it, but the ultimate grumpy old man.
e. colloquial. it's this way: used conversationally to introduce an explanation of something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > [adverb]
expositively1571
expository-wise1600
explicatively1609
expositorilya1631
accountably1646
illustratively1646
explanatorily1657
luciferouslya1682
explicably1791
explainingly1836
explanatively1842
it's this way1851
illuminatingly1891
1851 J. J. Hooper Widow Rugby's Husband 158 Well, thin—divil's in it—you see, sir—be Christ, I hardly know—but it's this way..it's this way, just. I'm Doorkaper to the House, and the Sinnit's no controwl of me.
1892 Pick-me-up 16 Apr. 41/1 Well, it's this way, the missus died last month.
1910 ‘O. Henry’ Strictly Business viii.92 But it's this way: Suppose you're a Fifth Avenue millionaire, soaring high.
1970 ‘R. Lewis’ Wolf by Ears i. 17 ‘You've lost me.’ ‘Put simply, it's this way.’
1993 V. Sage Mirror for Larks 67 ‘It's this way,’ said Mooney. ‘My company has this big deal that's just about to close’.
f. Originally and chiefly North American. way to go: expressing approval, support, admiration; ‘well done’.
ΚΠ
1942 Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.) 2 Sept. 8/1 As they point out, it is much easier to shout ‘Atta way to go there, Jonesy, old boy.’ Instead of ‘That's the way to go in there, Klasoskus.’]
1950 Cullman (Alabama) Banner 11 May 4/4 These boys have won four consecutive games this season. Way to go boys!
1974 E. Bowen Henry & Other Heroes v. 111 I—along with the rest of the team—was cheered, pummeled, and hosannaed with cries of ‘Way to go!’ ‘Terrific!’ ‘You guys done it!’
2003 ‘S. Pax’ Weblog Diary 5 Feb. in Baghdad Blog 89 Way to go, Uncle Sam! This is going to make one hell of a James Bond movie.
g. colloquial (originally U.S.). my way or the highway: used to assert the view that there is no alternative but to accept the speaker’s opinions, rules, policies, etc., apart from leaving.
ΚΠ
1969 Daily News (Huntingdon, Pa.) 9 Aug. 5/1 Lombardi was screaming at a big lineman: ‘It's my way or the highway.’
1972 G. Scott-Heron Nigger Factory 257 I have a saying for students on my campus. It says: ‘My way or the highway!’
1993 D. Irvin Behind Bench xix. 311 He took the attitude that it would be his way or the highway. A lot of guys weren't too thrilled.
2010 P. Murray Skippy Dies 165 Come on, you slackjaws, show some moxie! I'm not running a kindergarten here! Ship up or shape out! My way or the highway!
P6. Phrases referring generally to the manner in which a thing is done or happens. Cf. sense A. 17.
a. In noun phrases used adverbially.
(a) With way modified by a determiner or adjective. See also anyway adv., someway adv., no way adv. Cf. sense Phrases 3a.Corresponding use of prepositional phrases with in is now much more common (see A. 17a(b)).
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12623 Leue sun,..þi fader and i has mani wais Soght þe abute this thre dais.
a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 348 Freris..spuylen þe puple many weies by ipocrisie and oþer leesingis.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Heb. i. 1 God in tyme past diversly and many wayes [Gk. πολυτρόπως] spake vnto the fathers by prophetes.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. 90 b When by deuersity of inuention, a sentence is manye wayes spoken.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cclxxxvj He declareth..how many wayes they haue rebelled [L. quam multis modis rebellarint ostendit].
1589 R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations Ep. Ded. sig. *3 It hath passed..the censure of the learned phisitian M. Doctor Iames, a man many wayes very notably qualified.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 181 What fashion will you weare the garland of?..you must weare it one way, for the prince hath got your Hero. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xvi. sig. B4 Bvt wherefore do not you a mightier waie Make warre vppon this bloudie tirant time?
1612 H. Peacham Gentlemans Exercise iii. 167 The Lion..is borne these waies, Rampant, Passant, Saliant, Seisant or couchant.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxxi. 187 God declareth his Lawes three wayes.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler x. 187 Some say, they [sc. eels] breed..out of the putrifaction of the earth, and divers other waies . View more context for this quotation
1682 J. Dryden Mac Flecknoe 13 There thou mayst..torture one poor Word ten thousand ways.
1695 W. J. tr. R. Le Bossu Treat. Epick Poem ii. vii. 72 An Action may be entire and compleat two ways.
1796 Glasse's Art of Cookery (new ed.) xix. 304 Red currants are done the same way.
1983 K. Dryden Game 136 Stored in the muscles is a learned capacity to move a certain way.
1990 H. Lasnik & M. Saito in H. Lasnik Ess. Restrictiveness & Learnability x. 215 Like..is two ways ambiguous. It can be an embedded double wh-question [etc.].
(b) With possessive pronoun. Also with own.More common than corresponding use of prepositional phrases with in (see A. 17a(b)).
ΚΠ
1614 L. Andrewes Serm. on Easter Day 27 They doe it their way: wee to doe it ours.
1659 in E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1920) IV. 122 There Fleetewood, Desborow, with the greatest officers seeke God for councell and act theire owne way.
1672 R. Baxter Church told of Bagshaw's Scandals ii. 12 Think that he is not deceived, who thinketh his own way.
1780 S. Johnson Let. 4 July (1992) III. 281 I..hope she will not be too rigorous with the young ones, but allow them to be happy their own way.
1847 A. Brontë Agnes Grey xiv. 219 The conceited wretch chose to interpret my amiability of temper his own way, and at length..he actually—made me an offer!
1871 C. Reade Terrible Tempt. (new ed.) xxxvi. 166/1 Then, since you will not do it my way, it shall be done another way.
1907 M. Deane Other Pawn xiii. 308 What right had I to borrow Lucifer's throne and lord it up there over a creature who thirsted to be happy her own way?
1951 J. Jones From Here to Eternity xii. 172 If I take your kitchen, I run it my way.
2014 J. Charbonneau Independent Study viii. 143 We'll do it your way and win without interfering with the other teams, all right?
b. In collocation with manner, as (in) all manner of ways, (in) any manner of way (†ways), etc. Cf. in any manner of wise at manner n. 1c.Now rare except in in all manner of ways.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase]
way1405
1405 in H. M. Flasdieck Mittelengl. Originalurkunden (1926) 32 (MED) The qwych schal pasen be assent of both parties or elles be ony other maner wey.
1423 in J. B. Paul Registrum Magni Sigilli Scotorum (1882) II. 38/2 The fermys and the frottis in the menetyme tane in the principale some of na maner of waye to be contyt.
?1474 in C. L. Kingsford Stonor Lett. & Papers (1919) I. 141 The grace of Jhesu, hom I mekely beseche..to preserve your fadyrhod yn alle maner of weyys.
1508 in M. Livingstone Reg. Secreti Sigilli Regum Scotorum (1908) I. 253/1 Alienatioun thairof in heretage, lyferent, or lang takis forthir than thre zeris, onymaner of way.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) lxxxiii. sig. B*iiiv Fynding in some maner of wayes to haue shorted his mortal lyfe.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Dii Ane man ma trow ii maner of wais of god.
1654 D. Osborne Lett. (1888) 225 My Lady Ruthin..has put a tune to them that I may hear them all manner of ways.
1705 in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 162 Signed; but without the Privity..of Govr Nicholson or his being any manner of ways connected in it.
1718 in Minutes of Evid. Nairne Peerage (1873) 33 in Sessional Papers House of Lords (H.L. A) XII. 65 In such way and manner as to his Majesty should seem meet.
1720 A. Petrie Rules Good Deportm. for Use of Youth iii. 20 It is rude in Company to break Wind any Manner of Way, tho amongst Inferiors.
1836 J. Baillie Enthusiasm i. i, in Dramas III. 331 Ladies, now-a-days, twist their features all manner of ways, as I am told, for the sake of expression.
1853 Brit. Jrnl. 3 33 The coat had been re-buttoned and re-cuffed and re-collared, and done up in all manner of ways.
1904 J. Burns Conveyancing Pract. according to Law of Scotl. (ed. 2) xxvii. 446 So as not to operate in any manner of way as any contravention of..the entail or entails under which the said lands, estate, and others are held.
2014 Baltimore Sun (Nexis) 7 Nov. 2 t A cultural touchstone that's been adapted in all manners of ways over the generations.
c. In prepositional phrases with in (also †by, †on).For earlier general uses see sense A. 17a(b).
(a) in (also †by, †on) no way: not at all, by no means. Cf. no way adv., nowise adv.In some examples, e.g. quot. 1902, way is interpretable as ‘aspect, feature, point of comparison’ (see sense A. 21).
ΚΠ
a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) i. l. 850 Here [sc. Fortune's] whiel by no wey may soiorne.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1951 This It is wich that dissemblyng hot, That in no way accordith for o king.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Wolf & Lamb l. 2648 in Poems (1981) 98 Than may the streme on na way mak ascence.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xxiv. sig. i.iiiv The foresayd wylde gees attempten by no way To hurte theyr fruytes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 40 You must in no way say he is couetous. View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Glyn Replication Master Glyn 3 He is in no way scanted by time, whatsoever his flourishing Rhetorick may endeavour to insinuate.
1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist (ed. 2) 453 Dr. Cudworth's notion is in no way favourable to the Figurists, or Memorialists.
1784 E. Allen Reason vii. §6. 281 Astronomy being but little understood in the age in which Joshua lived..makes it in no way strange, that he caught himself by ordering the sun to stand still.
1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss II. iii. vii. 107 I'm not a-defending him, in no way, for being so hot about th' erigation.
1902 M. W. Gibbs Shadow & Light xx. 224 The cars either for comfort or retirement in no way equal ours.
c1943 Everyday Things & their Story 34/2 The toughening process in no way affects the quality.
2009 H. Freeman Meaning of Sunglasses (rev. ed.) 92 Such spiritualism in no way conflicts with my desire to show off what I have been told are my very good cheekbones.
(b) in his (also her, etc.) way: used following an expression of praise to imply that the praise is appropriate to only a limited extent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > to a limited extent
as (also so) far as it goes1533
a kind of?1565
not to say1590
in his (also her, etc.) way1700
for what it's worth1830
kinda1834
1700 R. Blackmore Satyr against Wit 11 By Hearsay he's a Scholar, and they say The Man's a sort of Wit too in his way.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 43. ⁋3 We are all Grave, Serious, Designing Men, in our Way.
1749 in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Earl of Eglinton (1885) 303 in Parl. Papers 1884–5 (C. 4575) XLIV. 1 I have received from Cairo the Egyptian figures one of which in their way I do not think bad.
1829 W. Scott Rob Roy (new ed.) I. Introd. p. xlii All whom I have conversed with, and I have in my youth seen some who knew Rob Roy personally, gave him the character of a benevolent and humane man ‘in his way’.
1878 R. Browning Poets Croisic xlviii Latin verses, lovely in their way.
1905 R. Bagot Passport iii. 16 Its apartments, though stately in their way, were neither historic nor [etc.].
1962 ‘C. Marchant’ Heritage of Folly iii. 77 She was a sprightly piece and a looker in her way.
2004 New Yorker 6 Dec. 102/3 Musette was a popular urban style as rich in its way as Chicago blues or Argentinean tango.
(c) colloquial. in this way: (used to describe or call attention to the fact that an action is being performed at all, rather than the manner of its performance) as has been done, as is happening; thus, so.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in this way > in such a way
in (by, on, upon) such wisea1225
in (on) such (a) wise1390
in such (a) manner or sort (arch.) as, as that, that1449
in this way1738
1738 J. Hildebrand Prodigal Reform'd v, in Nest of Plays 14 By Apollo and Parnassus, mine is a most finished Piece, and not to be rejected in this Way!
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxviii. 288 I can't let you cut an old friend in this way.
1874 Once a Week 7 Feb. 112/1 I suppose something is amiss, or you would not have disobeyed all my wishes by sending for me in this way.
1919 I. T. Beckwith Apocalypse of John 82 It may be questioned whether as a historical fact the essence of a single fundamental truth was received by the Hebrews in this way.
1962 ‘J. Bell’ Crime in Our Time iii. 51 They knock at the doors of houses to discover if the owners are at home. The police call them ‘drummers’, because they drum on the doors in this way.
2000 M. Kneale Eng. Passengers (2001) x. 270 I am most sorry to intrude upon you in this way, but there is something that you must, imperatively, be told.
(d) colloquial. in a (sort of, kind of) way: (used to limit or reduce the strength of an assertion) to a certain extent, but not altogether or completely.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb]
conditionlyc1380
conditionally1483
qualifiedly1598
sub modo1600
contingently1657
subject1722
eventually1746
in a sort of way1802
qualifyingly1829
1802 G. V. Sampson Statist. Surv. Londonderry iii. 208 They [sc. cattle] are cast at ten years old, and fatted, in a kind of way, with helps of shorn grass from bottoms and drains, or sent to a park.
1847 B. Disraeli Tancred I. vi. 69 If another's milk is in your child's veins, he seems, in a sort of way, as much her bairn as your own.
1851 Proc. Zool. Soc. 19 143 The Ring Sparrow here takes the place, in a way, of our House Sparrow.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Valerie's Fate iii He is handsome in a way—not elegant and soigné like Captain Grey, but there is something about him [etc.].
1908 H. M. Alden Mag. Writing & New Lit. 294 This kind of work seems, in a way, almost dateless.
1979 P. Larkin Let. 18 Sept. in Sel. Lett. (1992) 604 Not that it wouldn't be ‘fun to do’, in a sort of way.
1993 T. Parker May Lord in His Mercy be Kind to Belfast (1994) vi. 79 In a kind of way I feel I owe it to her to keep myself calm.
2008 Review (Rio Tinto) Dec. 27/3 In a way it could be described as a Boy's Own adventure.
P7. Noun phrases with adjectives and determiners.See also senses A. 12d, A. 13a(a), and Phrases 1a(b), Phrases 1a(d).
a. Referring to possible alternatives.
(a) one way or another (also other).
(i) Used to indicate that something is the case for a variety of unspecified reasons or in a number of different ways; by some means; in some way. Also in one way or another (also other). Cf. Phrases 7a(d)(i).
ΚΠ
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 55/1 If we should nedes cost fall in perill one way or other.
1581 I. B. Dialogue Vertuous Gentleman & Popish Priest sig. K.ijv I thinke my three benefices did stande me, one way or another, aboute a fiue hundred pounds.
1628 L. Owen Vnmasking Popish Monks 53 This goodly Image doth bring in yeerely, one way or another, aboue foure or fiue thousand pound sterling, to this one Cloister of Dominican Friers.
1695 T. Houghton Alteration of Coyn (new ed.) 44 In the County of Cornwall there may be Imployed in the Tin-Mines, and such as have a Dependance upon them for their Livings, one way or another, about 30000 People.
1735 Lives Most Remarkable Criminals I. 221 He continually followed Thieving in one way or other.
1792 F. Wrangham Reform Introd. p. v Of the Nominal Reformers of the Constitution, few have not already, in one Way or another, attained public Notoriety.
1834 W. G. Simms Guy Rivers II. viii. 98 I've been a matter of some fifteen or twenty years knocking about..in one way or another.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. iii. 40 Being a good whist and billiard player, and not a bad jockey, he managed in one way or another to make his young friends pay well for the honour of his acquaintance.
1893 T. R. R. Stebbing Hist. Crustacea i. 9 Animals in which the feet are in one way or another adapted to serve the purpose of respiration.
1956 A. Ginsberg Let. 16 May in A. Ginsberg & L. Ginsberg Family Business (2001) 44 If she appears to be well enough to get along one way or other on the outside she ought to be put out to pasture with a family say in Long Island.
1979 A. Price Tomorrow's Ghost xii. 216 Captain Fitzgibbon wouldn't come back from that last Ulster tour, one way or another.
2008 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 12 June 50/1 It was because, in one way or another, they had attracted the attention of Lenin by their publications or by lectures that had received some publicity.
(ii) With regard to which of two given alternatives is the case.
ΚΠ
1560 B. Hampton Let. 29 June in T. Wright Queen Elizabeth & her Times (1838) I. 36 As sone as th'ende thereof, either one waye or other, shall be knowne, I will not fayle to move the Quene's Majestie that the same may be [etc.].
a1628 J. Doddridge Lawyers Light (1629) 26 Vpon this verdict clearing the matter in Fact, one way or other, the Iudges aboue giue judgement for the partie for whom the verdict is found, and for such damages and costs as the Iury doth assesse.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vi. v. 14 I shou'd..be glad to be convinced one way or other.
1839 G. P. R. James Gentleman of Old School III. vi. 125 For my own part, I don't care one way or another. I shall give evidence, if they make me; if they don't, I shan't trouble my head about it.
1860 C. Dickens Uncommerc. Traveller in All Year Round 7 Apr. 560/2 The housekeeper who saw it all..seemed to have no opinion about it, one way or other.
1914 T. S. Eliot Let. 14 Oct. (1988) I. 61 I suppose that everyone will want to know how I like Oxford, and of course I shall be quite unable to give an unqualified answer one way or another.
1955 L. P. Hartley Perfect Woman viii. 79 What, after all, had he to tell Alec that mattered so much, one way or another?
2003 Chicago Tribune (Midwest ed.) 22 Dec. iii. 2/3 When I woke up in the morning I didn't care one way or another what my situation was because I could be fired at any time or I could stay on.
(b) one way or the other.
(i) With regard to which of two given alternatives is the case. Cf. Phrases 7a(a)(ii), either way at Phrases 7a(c).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > contrariety [phrase] > one way or the other
one way or the other1578
either way1593
1578 G. Martin Treat. Schisme i. sig. A.vi I would thou were colde or hott, that is, no dissembler, but a plaine dealer one way or the other.
1618 J. Selden Hist. Tithes (new ed.) vii. 150 How euer very many other questions..are vsually disputed, yet resolue but this, one way or the other.
1659 H. L'Estrange Alliance Divine Offices v. 135 An opinion hath possest some very learned men, that our Saviour was born in September, in such variety of judgements it is not safe dogmatically to determine one way, or the other.
1782 Parl. Reg. 1781–96 V. 269 He spoke not from any prejudice one way or the other.
1859 J. C. Hotten Dict. Slang 98 The point, arrow shaped, stops at a number and decides the bet one way or the other.
1884 Law Times Rep. 50 29/2 The Summary Jurisdiction Act 1879 has no real bearing one way or the other on the question.
1916 J. L. Dunk Hyperacoustics I. vii. 117 Under conditions which do not permit definite allocation either one way or the other, the discriminance of B and R is destroyed.
1973 B. Rubens Go tell Lemming ii. 17 Often in the past two years he had owned that a choice must be made, a total commitment one way or the other.
2012 D. Park Light of Amsterdam xi. 249 She would lose her daughter one way or the other, whether through the physical separation of the coming marriage or through what would happen between them in the next hours.
(ii) In negative, conditional, and interrogative contexts: regardless of whether something is the case; in the least, whatsoever.
ΚΠ
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iv. xii. 326 Whether that yellow, heavy, fusible Body, I call Gold, be malleable, or no... It is no Consequence one way or t' other from my complex Idea.
1719 Reply to Subscribing Ministers 27 Others wisely decline troubling themselves about our Debates one way or the other.
1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang at Say ‘I have no say in the business’; no power one way or the other.
1940 M. Dickens Mariana ii. 20 She looked round enquiringly at the other people, who didn't care one way or the other.
1969 G. Friel Grace & Miss Partridge iv in Glasgow Trilogy (1999) 248 It was only the mother objected to her talking to the child. The father never bothered one way or the other.
1974 D. Goines Daddy Cool iii. 34 I guess you don't really care one way or the other about this shit, do you, Shirley?
2005 N. Hornby Long Way Down 100 ‘So why don't you try and find him?’ ‘Would you care one way or the other?’
(c) either way: with regard to which of two given alternatives is the case; = one way or the other at Phrases 7a(b). Cf. Phrases 7a(a)(ii).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > contrariety [phrase] > one way or the other
one way or the other1578
either way1593
1593 T. Bilson Perpetual Govt. Christes Church xv. 349 The people may willingly forsake..the right which they had in the choice of their bishops, and the Prince either way bee lawfully possessed of the peoples interest.
1645 F. Rous Anc. Bounds 2 Conscientious Principles and practices, though perhaps erroneous, yet not injurious to publique good either way.
1734 A. Pope Epist. to Arbuthnot 31 A dire Dilemma! either way I'm sped, If Foes, they write, if Friends, they read me dead.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. III. vii. ii. 411 Either way, the world must contrive to struggle on.
a1878 B. Taylor Stud. German Lit. (1879) 105 There are but a few years' difference between them, either way.
1941 P. Hamilton Hangover Square vii. ii. 215 To pretend, really, either that he was a complete fool or that he didn't care a damn about Netta. It wouldn't really wash, either way.
1977 Time Out 17 June 5/4 Either way, the 60 workers occupying the factory have put a spanner in the works.
2008 S. Trimble Bargaining for Eden i. 46 The past is a dream: some of us revel in it, some of us manipulate it. Either way, the truth slips away, to be firmly replaced by myth.
(d) one way and another.
(i) Used to indicate that something is the case for a variety of unspecified reasons or in a number of different ways; by some means; in some way; = one way or another (also other) at Phrases 7a(a). Also in one way and another.
ΚΠ
1645 P. Ince Brief Relation Surprise Forts Weymouth 8 Our enemies report their losse of men, one way and another, taken, slain, and wounded, 4 or 500 men.
1714 E. Freke Remembrances (2001) 270 My own maide thatt had lived neer fowre years with me, my cook maid, and Henry Ettrige, her rogue..had robed me one way and another.
1831 G. P. R. James Philip Augustus II. ix. 228 Full five hundred men, I counted, one way and another; and there might be five hundred more, for aught I know.
1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie I. viii. 102 It pretended to be only a lodging-house, and had no license for the sale of strong drink, but nevertheless, one way and another, a great deal was drunk in the house.
1956 ‘J. Wyndham’ Seeds of Time 87 Passengers, having nothing to occupy them, were always making mischief one way and another.
1989 T. Parker Place called Bird xxii. 269 And eventually one way and another, somehow we achieved what we both wanted.
(ii) With most aspects or considerations taken into account; when all is said and done.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > in general [phrase] > in one way or another
in the broad or the long1682
one way and another1919
1919 Boys' Life June 9/1 Jean found pearls on it from the start, an' it looked, one way and another, as if he was goin' to be lucky.
1923 R. Macaulay Told by Idiot i. v. 23 One way and another, what with papa's friends and mamma's and the children's, a good deal of life flowed into the..house.
1965 M. Allingham Mind Readers xix. 211 We're in for a very busy time, my lad, one way and another.
1973 Listener 15 Nov. 661/3 I was quite well educated, one way and another.
2001 J. Hamilton-Paterson Loving Monsters (2002) ix. 168 One way and another the spirit of live and let live was broad and buoyant.
b. With no.
†(a) there is no way but one and variants: death (or ruin) is certain. Also to be no way but one: to be facing certain death (or ruin). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > fate or destiny as determining events > beyond human control [phrase] > be destined to an adverse fate
there is no way but one1542
one's number is up1804
to have a person's number on it1917
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 268v Vnto his pilote beeyng now clene in despaire to escape drounyng, & thynkyng to bee no waye but one, Cæsar opened who he was.
1553 R. Burrant in tr. Preceptes Cato (new ed.) sig. N.viv A thief beyng vpon the gallowes, and perceiuyng that there is no waie but one.
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. iii. vi. 39 Many seeing no way but one, went and layd them downe vpon the beeres, to welcome death.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 1st Pt. sig. E4v The Souldan and the Arabian king together Martch on vs with such eager violence, As if there were no way but one with vs.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. iii. 15 When I saw him fumble with the sheetes..[etc.], I knew there was no way but one.
1608 T. Dekker Dead Tearme sig. G2v To haue drunk with these Pot-tossers hadde beene no way but one, to haue solde any drinke to them, had beene for a Tapster to haue drunke his last.
1692 J. Dryden All for Love (new ed.) Pref. sig. b3v For if he heard the malicious Trumpetter proclaiming his name before his betters, he knew there was but one way with him.
1698 S. Pomfret Serm. to Young People 18 There remains no way but one with you, even eternal Damnation.
(b) colloquial (originally U.S.). there is (also was, etc.) no way (that): there is no possibility that (a specified action will be taken).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > impossibility > desire the impossible [phrase] > absence of possibility
you won't catch me1698
not a cat (in hell)'s chance1796
pigs might fly1840
there is (also was, etc.) no way (that)1908
not a hope (also chance) in hell1923
it's (just) not on1935
pigs have wings1936
that'll (also that will) be the day1941
not on your Nelly1959
1908 Cosmopolitan Mar. 428/1 We can't let them stay here in the Bruces' apartment, and we can't tell them it isn't ours. There's no way we could explain it.
1914 Town Devel. May 3/1 There is no way that a state, county or city treasurer can consistently go before the people and discuss the custody of public funds.
1977 Daily Tel. 10 Oct. 12/8 We are operating an emergency service and there is no way we would strike and let the old folk down.
2002 D. Verton Hacker Diaries i. 24 He..thought about what the agents had just asked of him. That lasted for about a nanosecond. There was no way he was going to do it.
c.
(a) to look nine ways: to have a squint. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > in the direction that [phrase] > oblique or askew
at travers?a1400
to look nine ways1542
nine ways (at once)1542
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of eye > disordered vision > of vision: become disordered [verb (intransitive)] > squint
gleea1400
to look nine ways1542
squint1611
skelly1776
1542 N. Udall tr. Homer in tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 180v Squyntyied [Gk. ϕολκός] he was, and looked nyne wayes.
1602 R. Parsons Manifestation Great Folly vii. f. 82v Himselfe being so wrong shapen, and of so bad & blinking aspect, as he looketh nyne wayes at once.
1696 T. D'Urfey Comical Hist. Don Quixote: 3rd Pt. iii. ii. 26 I'll make her look nine ways at once before I have done with her, by Conscience.
1762 Life, Trav., & Adventures Christopher Wagstaff I. xxviii. 140 A plague on her for a squinting toad, she looks nine ways at once.
1999 Advertiser (Adelaide) (Nexis) 6 Sept. People who squint are said to look nine ways.
(b) to go (also look) nine ways (at once, at thrice) and other variants: expressing the indecision produced by terror, surprise, eagerness, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > vacillation [phrase]
backward and forward1581
to go (also look) nine ways (at once, at thrice)a1617
a1617 P. Baynes Entire Comm. Epist. Paul to Ephesians (1643) 124 Some if a thing come into the head, turne them forthwith to it, as busily as if they would goe nine waies at once.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Richard II cccxxvi, in Poems (1878) III. 218 Passion flyes Squinting, and, as wee say, Nine wayes at Thrice.
1675 G. Thomson Ορθο-μέθοδος ἰατρο-χυμικὴ: Direct Method curing Chymically xiv. 119 Their Hodg podg, Bolmong Non-sensical jumbling together of multitude of Ingredients, looking Ninety nine ways at once, but in no wise at the right Mark.
1744 S. Fielding Adventures David Simple I. ii. x. 272 They..would have lost all their Amiableness, and have looked askew an hundred ways at once, to denote the many little Plots she was forming to do mischief.
1774 A. M. Toplady Hist. Proof Doctrinal Calvinism Church of Eng. I. vi. 115 As if the Church of England was the common Receptacle of Error, and looked ninety-nine Ways at once!
1834 C. Bruce Mirth & Morality 163 When the water first came down the streets, the folks stared like so many throttled cats; Parson Shipley looked half-a-dozen ways at once.
1901 N. Munro Shoes of Fortune xlii. 389 He threw up his hands and glowered at me with his gleed eye looking seven ways for sixpence as the saying goes.
†d. to be a foul way out: to be in (severe) trouble or difficulty. Cf. to find oneself in the mire at mire n.1 1b, to be in the shit at shit n. 4b. Obsolete.Scott's use is apparently a deliberate echo of Shakespeare's.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iii. 179 If I cannot recouer your Neece, I am a foule way out . View more context for this quotation
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. xiii. 179 We are a foul way out if we cannot discover this infernal vein that he has prophesied about these two years.
e. all the way from —— to (also †unto) ——.
(a) Throughout the whole of, or at every point within, the specified range or interval.
ΚΠ
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclijv Conrade Bredesten, and Iohn Rommelie, which all the waye from Hesse vnto Machlin layed post horses, whiche he might leape vpon and escape.
1646 T. Moore Vniversallity God's Free-grace xvii. 110 But all the way from vers. 9. to vers. 20. no Petition for any thing for any before they beleeve.
1655 R. Gardiner Englands Grievance Discovered xxxiv. 76 All the ground on both sides of the River of Tyne..belongs onely to the Mayor and Burgesses, all the way from Sparhawk to Headwin streams.
1791 R. Mylne 2nd Rep. Navigation Thames 10 There is the finest navigable Water, all the Way from Mr. Tovey's Meadows to Clieve Lock.
1824 Edinb. Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 22 300 This reduplication or folding back of the fascia does not exist to the same extent all the way from ilium to pubes.
1886 R. E. Cleveland You & I Introd. 14 The range of topics to be treated legitimately under the head of social culture..runs all the way from theology to etiquette.
1966 Listener 5 May 643/2 The peak age [for crime] is during the last year at school... The rate is fairly high all the way from twelve to twenty.
2004 T. Wheeler Falklands & S. Georgia 62 The dark-faced ground tyrant is found on open grassland and heath all the way from the coast to hill tops.
(b) Originally and chiefly U.S. Used to express the breadth of possibility or the limits of variation: at any point, amount, or value between the specified limits. Cf. anything from —— to —— at anything pron. and n. 1c, anywhere adv. 3.Much less common after mid 20th cent. At all times less common than anywhere from, even in American use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > [adverb] > between specified quantities
all the way from —— to (also unto) ——1837
1837 J. H. Alexander in Rep. New Map Maryland 95 The direction of such a line would be found to lie all the way from one to two miles east of the Creager's town and Emmittsburg road.
1878 J. H. Beadle Western Wilds xxxi. 493 The value of the booty taken has been estimated all the way from $150,000 to $300,000.
1931 G. T. Clark Leland Stanford xi. 365 The amount said to have been wagered..has been variously stated all the way from $5,000 to $50,000.
1957 Washington Post 29 July a5/2 (advt.) And prices all the way from 29.95 to 69.95.
1997 Proc. 49th Ann. Reciprocal Meat Conf. 1996 (Amer. Meat Sci. Assoc.) 2/1 Meat..priced all the way from $14 a pound to 88¢ a pound.
f.
(a) the other way: (stated, understood, applied, occurring, etc.) in the opposite manner; the opposite, the contrary, the reverse; vice versa.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adverb] > vice versa
againwardslOE
againward1340
econtrary1512
arsy-versy1542
econverse1547
e contra1548
contrariwise1570
contrair1596
e contrario1599
vice versa1601
backward1607
conversively1607
contrarily1656
convertibly1692
the other way1692
reversely1726
conversely1806
vicey-versey1858
1692 L. D. Check to Debauchery 109 Sometimes the Inclinations of the Will..preceed the Acts of the Understanding, tho' most commonly it is the other way, the Will and Passions not easily moving without the Reasoning of the Understanding to excite them.
1747 B. Hoadly Suspicious Husband v. ii. 72 She for a Sixpenny Piece would have constru'd it the other way.
1834 Edinb. Rev. Oct. 83 The fault, in the present instance, is the other way.
1877 Cases Court of Session 4th Ser. 4 823 Taxing enactments are not construed in favour of the Crown unless that is obviously their fair meaning. The rule is rather the other way.
1932 D. L. Sayers Have his Carcase xxxiv. 443 Young Simons recognised something familiar in his face, which may have been a family resemblance. But it may quite likely have been the other way.
1973 R. K. Merton Sociol. of Sci. v. 99 The sociology of knowledge has long been regarded as a complex and esoteric subject... To some of us, it seems quite the other way.
2010 M. O'Brien Intellectual Life & Amer. South 1810–60 iii. 97 In modern urban societies, alienation defends against the press of bodies and minds, but antebellum Southerners' difficulty was the other way.
(b) the other way around (also round, about) = the other way at Phrases 7f(a).
ΚΠ
1864 Atlantic Monthly Aug. 229/2 Very likely this might be put the other way about, but then in books that side is usually left out.
1879 R. L. Stevenson Some Aspects of Burns in Cornhill Mag. Oct. 412 He [sc. Burns] was ‘constantly the victim of some fair enslaver’—at least, when it was not the other way about.
1894 ‘M. Rutherford’ Catharine Furze vi She..never could recollect whether the verb was conjugated, and the noun declined, or whether it was the other way round, to use one of her favourite expressions.
1895 S. Crane Red Badge of Courage xiv. 144 ‘I don't know about that,’ the youth replied. ‘What I seen over on th'right makes me think it was th'other way about.’
1914 Q. Rev. Apr. 382 Whilst with Hegel the Logic is the a priori framework of the whole philosophy, with Eucken it is secondary, adjusting itself to the life-process and not the other way about.
1925 New Yorker 28 Mar. 25/2 It is just as good the other way around.
1987 A. Giddens Social Theory & Mod. Sociol. xii. 275 Capitalism remains to preside over the burial of the working class, not the other way round.
2013 New Yorker 14 Jan. 51/1 The computer should be adapted to the individual and not the other way around.
g. that way (in predicative use).
(a) That has a specified tendency, condition, or character. to get that way: to come to be in a particular condition.
ΚΠ
1707 F. Atterbury Large Vindic. Doctr. Funeral Serm. T. Bennet 32 As to the words themselves, there is nothing in them that sounds that way.
1812 M. Edgeworth Absentee xi in Tales Fashionable Life VI. xi. 187 This is what makes you weak, fretting. Don't be that way.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers l. 544 ‘I'm afraid you are wet.’.. ‘Yes, I am, a little that way.’
1850 Hull Packet & E. Riding Times 27 Sept. 7/6 That fatness is rare and admired, or at least marvelled at in these districts... People could not get that way in the country, he said, but they did in the towns.
1895 Whist June 4/2 I'm that way myself—‘well-trained’.
1919 Outing Mar. 311/1 ‘How does he get that way?’ Kramer answers by giving his ‘three rules of living’, as follows:—1—Always get enough sleep. 2—Never eat too much. 3—Never dissipate.
1927 Enemy No. 2. 72 They made the river as dead as a door-nail with their railroads and it has been that way ever since.
1966 ‘J. Hackston’ Father clears Out 91 It got that way in the end that I used to look forward to seeing Nolan and his team come lumbering down from the north.
1976 T. Murphy On Inside in Plays: 4 (1997) 203 No need to be that way about it.
2007 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 25 Apr. a6/2 Somalia is notoriously fragmented between dozens of rival clans and subclans, and has been that way for centuries.
2014 A. Schrag Adam i. 6 Her nipples looked hard, and despite his paranoia, Adam could feel himself getting that way too.
(b) spec.
(i) With about (also over). In love with; infatuated with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > [adjective]
amorousc1330
in love (with)a1398
in amours1523
passionate1534
browden1597
inamorate1606
enamoureda1631
épris1793
that way1865
kissy1873
pash1920
potty1923
keen1936
1865 M. Reid White Gauntlet II. xv. 259 ‘Sweet upon him! Who said I was?’ ‘Well, nobody as I knows on; but everybody say he be that way about you.’
1928 Life 2 Nov. 12/3 The boy fell in love with her! Madly in love..and she Got That Way over him, also.
1965 J. P. Carstairs Concrete Kimono xxiii. 207 Sharon. Be reasonable. I thought you were ‘that way’ about Roderick.
2001 L. Server Robert Mitchum 161 She had met a guy earlier in the year and was that way about him.
(ii) euphemistic. Homosexual. Cf. that way inclined at sense A. 13b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > homosexuality > [adjective] > homosexual
inverted1870
Uranian1883
homosexual1892
homogenic1894
camp1910
homosex1913
queer1914
homoerotic1915
homosexualist1920
homo1923
faggoty1928
tapette1930
fag1932
gay1934
so1937
same-sex1938
faggy1949
ginger beer1959
that waya1960
that way inclineda1960
ginger1965
minty1965
pink1972
leather1990
a1960 E. M. Forster Maurice (1971) xii. 62 In his second year he met Risley, himself ‘that way’.
a1967 J. R. Ackerley My Father & Myself (1968) xvi. 185 I divined that he was homosexual, or as we put it, ‘one of us,’ ‘that way’, ‘so’, or ‘queer’.
2012 L. Casey Pariah Man iv. 34 Once the other guys start thinking you're weak, they'll think you're ‘that way’.
h. Phrases with way modified by an adjective expressing extent, with in. Compare Phrases 2e.
(a) in a great (good, small, etc.) way.
(i) On a large (or small) income; living affluently (or modestly).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > wealth > rich or wealthy [phrase] > with large income and expenditure
in a great way1741
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxii. 251 There is not a more diligent, a more sober, nor more courteous Set of Servants in any Family in a great Way.
c1750 J. Nelson Jrnl. (1836) 9 We..lived in a good way (as the world calls it), that is, in peace and plenty, and love to each other.
1816 J. Austen Emma I. ii. 25 Having brothers already established in a good way in London. View more context for this quotation
1816 J. Austen Emma II. iv. 67 The elder sister..was very well married, to a gentleman in a great way, near Bristol, who kept two carriages! View more context for this quotation
1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. viii. 73 It was very right that he should take lodgings in his aunt's house, who lived in a very small way.
1883 E. Eiloart Was it Worth Cost? I. xi. 168 He means to die a country gentleman in a small way.
1913 A. B. Osborne As it is in Eng. ix. 199 Life here is lived in a very great way, and with a routined gaiety that to some temperaments would be burdensome.
1913 T. E. Lawrence Let. 10 Dec. in Sel. Lett. (1952) 64 I have felt that (at least for the near future) to talk of settling down to live in a small way anywhere else was beating the air.
2004 P. Gregory Virgin's Lover 211 I thought I could win him from the court and bring him back to me and that we could live in a small way, a mean way.
(ii) With reference to a business enterprise: on a large (or small) scale. Also more fully in a good way of business, etc. (cf. sense A. 25a).
ΚΠ
1779 Mirror No. 17 I was married, about five years ago, to a young man in a good way of business as a grocer.
1833 T. Carlyle in Fraser's Mag. July 27/1 Next, however, as another more lasting resource, he forges; at first in a small way.
1864 Law Times' Rep. N.S.X. 719/1 The defendants..were contractors and builders in a large way of business.
1885 Field 26 Sept. 476/1 Young men..go headlong into some big scheme they take into their heads..instead of starting cautiously and in a small way.
1909 Daily Chron. 19 May 3/3 An industrious hard-working young man, starting as a produce dealer in a small way in the disturbed epoch of the Civil War, drifts into the oil trade.
1998 Review (Rio Tinto plc) June 14/1 His father..was a Quaker, locksmith and nailmaker, who also farmed in a small way in Dudley in the English midshires.
(b) in a big way.
(i) Originally U.S. On a large scale, intensively; (in extended use) enthusiastically; with great commitment or display; (in more weakened use) to a great extent, very much; very well. Also occasionally with other intensive adjectives.With reference to a business enterprise, e.g. quot. 1943, overlapping with Phrases 7h(a)(ii).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > there is much success [phrase] > with great success
in a big way1840
like a bandit1943
like a bomb1954
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > acting vigorously or energetically [phrase] > with great vigour or energy
with (also in) mood and maineOE
vigour13..
with or by (all one's) might and mainc1330
with (one's) forcec1380
like anything1665
hammer and tongs1708
like stour1787
(in) double tides1788
like blazes1818
like winking1827
with a will1827
like winky1830
like all possessed1833
in a big way1840
like (or worse than) sin1840
full swing1843
like a Trojan1846
like one o'clock1847
like sixty1848
like forty1852
like wildfire1857
like old boots1865
like blue murder1867
like steam1905
like stink1929
like one thing1938
like a demon1945
up a storm1953
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > a great quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > on a large scale
by (also at, in) wholesale1417
on or upon a (large, small, liberal, etc.) scale1785
to do things on the big figure1831
in a big way1840
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase]
a great dealc1000
much dealc1225
on highc1400
little1483
good and proper1508
not smally1548
a deal1756
in a big way1840
more than somewhat1930
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [adverb] > with great enthusiasm
in a big way1840
1840 Burlington (New Jersey) Silk Record Dec. 13/2 We have tried the feeding upon solid surfaces in a large way.
1870 Christian Union 25 June 411/4 If I lived wheer I could keep a milk-cart a goin' as some folks do, I'd go in a big way for sowed corn to feed green.
1889 Sunday Mag. 66/1 Water..boiled round it, and leaped over it, and hurled it about in a huge way, carrying it towards the jagged rocks at the mouth of the river.
1911 J. E. Buckrose Love in Little Town xiii. 235 Love had come to her in a big way, inspiring her with courage to do anything for the man she loved.
1927 F. Harris My Life & Loves III. v. 69 I meant to take up the whole problem of journalism in a big way when I came back.
1932 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 10 Jan. 17/3 A gangster who calls himself Napoleon and who goes in for crime in a big way.
1936 H. L. Ickes Diary 30 June (1955) I. 626 The speech went over in a big way.
1943 J. S. Huxley TVA vii. 51 Over half a million acres..of fishable water..are already being taken advantage of in a big way.
1950 C. MacInnes To Victors the Spoils ii. 211 I could go for her in a big way.
1956 Internat. Jrnl. 11 139 It must resort to force in a massive way.
1974 M. Palin Diary 19 Nov. in Python Years (2006) 196 Certainly we have already made our mark on Benidorm, so maybe UK and Spain should amalgamate and go into leisure in a big way.
1993 Network June 31/2 A trend in world beat that is beginning to take hold of audiences in a big way is Jamaican dance hall music.
2009 Hoosier Times (Bloomington, Indiana) 29 Nov. (Herald-Times ed.) f5/6 Our mother insists year after year that we ‘kids’ celebrate their anniversary in a big way.
(ii) regional. In predicative use, of a person: elated, excited; (U.S.) spec. vociferous with excitement. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire 427 ‘In a big way’ means proud, elated. ‘——'ll bey in a big wee naï he's tayn th' prize at the cheese show.’
1903 Dial. Notes 2 306 [Missouri] Big way (to get in a), v. phr., to become excited. ‘The preacher got in a big way and you could hear him a mile.’
1906 Dial. Notes 3 115 [Indiana] Big way, a noisy manner. ‘He's in a big-way.’
i. it is always (also seldom, etc.) the way with: used to assert that the specified person always (seldom, etc.) behaves in the manner stated or implied.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > in habitual or customary use [phrase] > in the habit (of) > he always acts so
it is always (also seldom, etc.) the way with1762
1762 S. Foote et al. tr. Comic Theatre II. 28 This is always the way with these women; they think of nothing but their dress and their looks.
1778 A. Murphy Know your own Mind iii. 40 There, that is always the way with you men: our smiles, are sure marks of approbation; and every civil thing we say, is construed into a promise.
1813 J. Austen Pride & Prejudice III. i. 12 ‘And this is always the way with him,’ she added.—‘Whatever can give his sister any pleasure, is sure to be done in a moment.’ View more context for this quotation
1852 H. Rogers Eclipse of Faith 221 It is too much the way with you objectors to say, [etc.].
1867 M. Oliphant Madonna Mary I. viii. 119 But then that is often the way with those well-off people.
1904 M. Hewlett Queen's Quair iii. v. 409 They tell me it was always the way with her family, to choose rather to be easy in low company than stiff with the great folk about them.
1912 ‘G. A. Birmingham’ Priscilla's Spies x. 117 I find that she's quite dropped Christian Science and is frightfully keen on Woman's Suffrage. That's always the way with her.
1982 F. McGuinness Factory Girls ii, in Plays: 1 (1996) 23 But remember one thing, if the worst comes to the worst, it's always the way with redundancies and pay offs that last in is first out.
j. Irish English. the way: (as a compound conjunction) so that, with the result that. [After Irish sa chaoi so that ( < sa in the + caoi path, road: see ca n.); compare the similarly-formed sa dóigh so that, lit. ‘in the manner’.]
ΚΠ
1855 ‘H. Whitney’ Legends Mt. Leinster iv. 90 Be sure to get it in two separate ha'porths, the way he'd have the two tillies.
1899 E. Œ. Somerville & ‘M. Ross’ Some Experiences Irish R.M. v. 118 A couple o' dhraws o' th' ash plant across the butt o' the tail, the way I wouldn't blind her.
1912 J. Stephens Crock of Gold xiv. 225 Be sure and hold him tight..the way we can have a good look at him.
1924 R. Macaulay Orphan Island i. 16 We must see about fermenting some of this fruit-juice, the way we'll get something fit to drink.
1958 Lochlann 1 134 The way they wouldn't break.
1998 T. P. Dolan Dict. Hiberno-Eng. 251/1 I left home early the way I'd miss the traffic.
k. Figurative phrases with a long way (compare sense A. 12).
(a) to have a long way to go and variants: to need to make much more progress before some goal or outcome can achieved.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > progress or advance in an action [verb (intransitive)] > make only slight progress > be far short of accomplishment
to have a long way to go1907
1907 Q. Bull. Meadville Theol. School Apr. 14 Chicago is learning the lesson and although it still has a long way to go, so far as its legislative chambers are concerned, it has measurably succeeded.
1917 H. J. Laski in Holmes-Laski Lett. (1953) I. 121 Your bretheren [sic]..have still a long way to go before they understand the meaning of a certain dissent in Adair v. U.S.
1933 F. Baldwin Innocent Bystander viii. 150 Sherry had a long way to travel before she would be a Fontanne or a Cornell.
1935 H. L. Mencken Let. 4 Jan. (1961) 386 You must yet go a long way, of course, before you are eligible to it.
1977 P. Baelz Ethics & Belief vii. 79 Man has still a long way to go before he exercises his freedom responsibly and responsively.
2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 18 June 17/2 Her crabbed and shaky handwriting suggests that she still had a long way to go towards recovery.
(b) to have come a long way: to have made a lot of progress; to have achieved much; to have improved rapidly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > continuing > progress, advance, or further continuance > progress or advance in an action [verb (intransitive)] > make good progress > make much progress
to have come a long way1912
1912 Chicago Defender 2 Nov. 3 We have come a long way in a half century.
1922 W. S. Maugham in Pearson's Mag. Oct. 320/2 He had come a long way since then.
1966 Seventeen July 140/3 Society seems to have come a long way since the days of the Puritans, and now we're up to topless bathing suits.
1999 J. Keenan & C. Lloyd Moon Dance in Best of Frasier 140 Hey, Niles, I think your problem is you still think of yourself as that same geeky kid you were in high school. But you've come a long way since then.
2013 Wall St. Jrnl. 12 Jan. c3/3 Emergency medicine has come a long way in recent years.
(c) to be a long way from: to be different from; esp. to be inferior to, fail to match up to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > be different [verb (intransitive)]
diversec1384
discorda1387
swervea1400
differ?c1400
varyc1400
differencec1425
square?c1450
abhor1531
repugna1538
dissent1539
recede1570
discrepate1590
ablude1610
decline1615
to stand offa1616
particularize1637
distinguish1649
deviate1692
to stand apart1709
veer1796
to be a long way from1917
1917 Jrnl. Industr. & Engin. Chem. 9 1132/1 Merely because the Republicans and the Democrats have agreed that because coal-tar dyes constitute a ‘key-industry’ and hence should be protected is a very long way from saying that they have agreed that every ‘key-industry’ should be so protected.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 684/2 The system is a very long way from Hi-Fi, but is sufficient for the transmission of speech.
1986 W. H. Johnson in A. Limon et al. Home Owner Man. (ed. 2) iv. vii. 627 Modern appliances are a long way from the old wick burner heating stove.
2009 Nature 1 Jan. 36/2 A few photons is a long way from the large entangled states required for practical application of quantum-enhanced precision measurement.
P8. Proverbs and proverbial phrases.
a. the longest way about is the nearest way home and variants: time is ultimately saved by doing something carefully and properly, because there will be no subsequent need to put things right or make changes.
ΚΠ
1606 T. Palmer Ess. Meanes to make Trauailes more Profitable ii. 48 The farther way about, the neerer way home.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iv. ii. Epigr. 191 The next way Home's the farthest way about.
1661 R. Boyle Some Consider. Style of Script. (1675) 56 The Longest way about is the nearest Way Home.
1789 E. Craven Journey through Crimea lxiv. 195 I am determined to see that place where the capital of the world ought to be placed; when I am sick at sea I shall think of that—and that according to a vulgar English saying, the longest way about is the nearest way home.
1823 M. Graham Jrnl. 1 Nov. in Captain's Wife (1993) 172 ‘The longest way about is often the nearest way home,’ says the proverb, and, on that principle, ships bound for England from Brazil at this time of the year stand far to the eastward.
1897 B. Stoker Dracula xxii. 300 Nay, friend Jonathan..in this, the quickest way home is the longest way, so your proverb say.
1920 Bankers Mag. Apr. (Banking Publicity section) ‘The shortest way home is the longest way around’ even in bank advertising, and this policy of generosity in our advertising has brought results for us.
2010 Belfast Tel. (Nexis) 10 Dec. 28 For Kiely the longest way round was always the shortest way home. No story, he told Ben Forkner..‘should ever interfere with a good digression.’
b. where there's a will there's a way: determination will overcome any obstacle. In early use also †to him that will, ways are not wanting.
ΚΠ
a1633 G. Herbert Outlandish Prov. (1640) sig. D2 To him that will, waies are not wanting.
1724 Pharmacopolæ Justificati: Apothecaries Vindicated 6 Tho' it be a homely, it is a true Saying, that where there is a Will, there is a Way.
1797 Happiness of having God for Friend (ed. 2) 7 As for time to serve God—why, where there's a will there's a way.
1822 New Monthly Mag. 4 102 Where there's a will, there's a way.
1849 E. Bulwer-Lytton Caxtons xvii. cv, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Oct. 397/2 Meanwhile I fall back on my favourite proverb,—‘Where there's a will there's a way.’
1922 World Tomorrow July 204/1 Now the one avenue for obtaining this end was closed. But where there is a will there is a way.
2012 Frontier Post (Pakistan) (Nexis) 17 Feb. These achievements prove beyond an iota of doubt that where there is a will there is a way.
c. more ways of killing a dog (also cat) than hanging it, more ways of killing a cat (also dog) than choking it with cream (also butter) and other variants. Later also more simply more ways than one of killing a cat (also dog) and variants. See also there is more than one way to skin a cat at skin v. Phrases 2b, more ways to the wood than one at wood n.1 5h.
ΚΠ
1725 J. Swift Let. 4 Jan. in Wks. (1941) X. 165 I know that very homely Proverb, more ways of killing a Dog than hanging him.
1839 S. Smith John Smith's Lett. v. 91 You needn't bother about that. There's more ways to kill a cat than one.
1845 W. T. Thompson Major Jones' Chron. Pineville 35 There's more ways to kill a dog besides choking him with butter.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! II. xii. 327 Hold on yet awhile. More ways of killing a cat than choking her with cream.
1912 ‘Saki’ Chron. Clovis 72 ‘There are more ways of killing a cat than by choking it with cream,’ he quoted, ‘but I'm not sure,’ he added, ‘that it's not the best way.’
1955 W. C. MacDonald Destination, Danger x I'm much obliged. But you can kill a dog without choking him with butter.
1979 Country Life 12 July 75/1 There are more ways of killing a cat than feeding it on cream.
1989 in R. Graef Talking Blues x. 328 But there are more ways than one of killing the cat.
d. the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and variants.
ΚΠ
1814 J. Adams Let. 15 Apr. in Wks. (1851) VI. 505 The shortest road to men's hearts is down their throats.]
1840 G. C. G. F. Berkeley Sandron Hall I. v. 106 It has been said that the way to an Englishman's heart is down his throat.
1845 R. Ford Hand-bk. Travellers in Spain I. i. 30 The way to many an honest heart lies through the belly.
1856 D. M. Mulock John Halifax III. ii. 41 There's a saying, that the way to an Englishman's heart is through his stomach.
1880 Ann. Rep. State Board of Charities (N.Y.) 126 The superintendent thinks that, in some cases, the shortest way to a man's head and heart is through his stomach, and so the food furnished is nutritious and palatable.
1961 ‘W. Cooper’ Scenes Married Life 174 ‘Men are carnal,’ I said as a more highbrow way of expressing the fact that the way to a man's heart is through his belly.
1978 B. Pym Sweet Dove Died (1980) ii. 14 He teased her about the way to a man's heart being through his stomach, and Meg seemed ridiculously pleased.
2003 Eastern Eye 14 Feb. 23/4 After all the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
e. everything coming one's way, everything going one's way and variants: used to express that someone is experiencing or anticipating a period of success or good fortune.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > [phrase] > to or for the advantage of > everything in one's favour
everything coming one's way1892
1892 Farm Implem. News 7 Apr. 17/2 I dreamt everything was coming around all right at the store. It was all going my way.
1892 J. P. Pollard in Figaro Fiction 74 I was doing the waiter act to a charm; nobody was on, (except some of the crowd who are here to see that I play fair), and everything was coming my way.
1932 R. Kipling Limits & Renewals 385 They must be enjoying themselves now at a theatre. Everything's coming their way.
1943 O. Hammerstein Oklahoma! (1947) 18 I got a beautiful feelin' Ev'rythin's goin' my way.
1973 G. Jenkins Cleft of Stars v. 60 I cursed that old rifle for letting me down at the moment when everything was going my way.
1999 Daily Star 23 Apr. 34/3 If things aren't going your way at work and you're tempted to throw in the towel and begin again elsewhere—go for it!

Compounds

C1.
a. General attributive.
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Nerprun, buck-thorne, way-thorne, Rhein-berries.
1612 S. Sturtevant Metallica ii. 40 All kinde of Way-stones, Way-grauels, Way-earths, burnt and made after the said Simon Sturteuant his manner and Inuention.
1635 A. Cummin in Funerals P. Forbes 407 The mudled way-floods can haue no thing pure.
1764 London Mag. Feb. 97/2 Besides this trailing, and way-baiting, some of the most expert of the rat-catchers have a shorter, and perhaps more effectual, method of bringing them together.
1805 M. Lewis Jrnl. 1 July in Jrnls. Lewis & Clark Exped. (1987) IV. 349 Gas I set at work to make the way strips out of some willow limbs which tho' indifferent were the best which could be obtained [for use in assembling an iron-frame boat].
1883 Cent. Mag. Oct. 807/1 Each palm, orange tree, and vineyard left on the old mission sites was a way signal to the new people.
1892 E. Magnússon & W. Morris tr. Ere-Dwellers xxxi. 239 There was no man of the country who seemed to all a wayfellow of more avail than he.
1922 Official Gaz. (U.S. Patent Office) 31 Oct. 968/2 A way-signal for automobiles and other vehicles comprising a hollow box or casing adapted to be attached to the vehicle in suitable display-position.
1998 Canal Boat & Inland Waterways July 23/3 Anglian Water has..given £750 towards the cost of installing milestones and way-signs on the towpath.
2000 A. Kerr Oregon Desert Guide 136 To see Indian Caves..explore The Potholes upstream 1.2 miles to a way crossing.
†b. U.S. attributive with the sense ‘of or relating to trains stopping at local or intermediate stations, and travel on these trains’, as way baggage, way fare, way traffic, way travel, etc. See also way passenger n. at Compounds 3, way station n., way train n. at Compounds 3. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > equipment for a journey > baggage
trousseauc1230
harnessc1330
fardel1388
flittinga1400
stuff?a1400
baggagec1430
trussellc1440
carriagec1450
trussagec1500
traffic1538
trussery1548
traffe1566
sumpture1567
truss1587
needment1590
luggage1596
sumptery1620
piece1809
traps1813
roll-up1831
dunnage1834
kit1834
way baggage1836
swag1853
drum1861
swag bag1892
1836 Rep. Comm. appointed to offer New Jersey Delaware & Raritan Canal 29 Provided also, that the way-fare on said Road shall not exceed three cents per mile.
1843 Merchants' Mag. 9 388 The low fare is succeeding equally well with the way-travel on the Worcester railroad.
1844 Family of Seisers I. 7/2 An immense amount of baggage was developed to the curious lookers at way-baggage, as if every eye was an amateur of box and trunk, and bandbox and bag.
1846 Merchants' Mag. 15 244 The way fare reduced to 2 3/4 cents per mile.
1863 E. Dicey Six Months in Federal States I. 55 You can go from New York to Chicago..for four pounds; but the way-fares are three-halfpence a mile.
1881 Revenue & Expenditure, Kapunda & Morgan Railway 1 in Proc. Parl. S. Austral. Actual wages paid for way repairs £4,315 0s. 0d.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi lii Freight and passenger way traffic remains to the steamers.
c1911 Cars of McGuire-Cummings Mfg. Co. Electric Railway Historical Society Bull. no. 14 16 This car was designed exclusively for electric railway operation, but with the idea of general utility in this service. It is in use as a way baggage car.
C2.
a. Objective.
(a) With verbal nouns and participial adjectives.
ΚΠ
c1450 Speculum Christiani (Harl. 6580) (1933) 188 He callez entierly helpe and askeȝ for wey-goynge [L. pro itinere] of hym that may not go ne moue.
a1605 (c1471) Hist. Arrival King Edward IV (1838) 27 They thowght..to have goten into theyr companye, by that way-takynge, greate nombar of men of Lancashire, and Chesshere.
c1624 T. Lushington Resurrect. Serm. (1659) 15 Three way-going women, gadling gossips that came from Galilee.
1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 143 He that's ill of his Lodging, is well of his way-kenning.
1843 Chambers's Jrnl. 27 May 145/1 The stargazers have only to stand still while pursuing their favourite amusement, in order to avoid way-losing, ditch-immersion, and the other evils.
1955 Oban Times 13 Aug. 3/2 The old waygoing of the islanders in South Uist is threatened by a reported change of ownership.
2005 GQ Sept. 307/1 A 15th-century knight wielding a diabolical, way-clearing lance on horseback, charging into the front line, could do untold damage to the enemy.
(b) With agent nouns.
way-wanderer n. chiefly poetic
ΚΠ
1796 S. T. Coleridge Destiny of Nations 149 And minister refreshment to the tired Way-wanderer.
1797 R. Southey Poems 145 Weary way-wanderer languid and sick at heart.
1888 J. P. Campbell Summerless Sea 197 Those dazzling gleams which sometimes Cross the path of the way-wanderers That go winging around Aidenn's heights.
2001 S. Soza Shiv Kumar Batalvi 41 The protagonist of most of these poems is in exile, a lonesome wanderer, a tinker, a traveller, a tramp, a way-wanderer.
way-traveller n.
ΚΠ
1804 H. H. Brackenridge Mod. Chivalry II. i. i. 8 I have known even in our own country..a good deal of it possessed, by way travellers, or boat men on our rivers; a kind of unshackled dialect.
1872 W. D. Howells Their Wedding Journey iv. 89 Loquacious, acquaintance-making way-travellers.
2007 W. L. Hoffman First Mother's Fire ii. 46 He could be a way-traveler from beyond the Hinterlands.
b. Instrumental. Cf. way-weary adj. at Compounds 3, wayworn adj.
† way-beaten adj. Obsolete (also figurative)
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > by or of travel
travel-worn1596
way-wearied1618
way-beaten1620
wayworn1758
way-spent1777
way-sore1797
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes 2nd Pt. Don Quixote xlviii. 317 You see mee set in this Chaire, and in the midst of the Kingdome of Aragon, in the habit of a poore and way-beaten Matron [Sp. de dueña aniquilada y asendereada].
a1739 C. Jarvis tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1742) II. iv. vii. 311 The way-beaten couple, master and man, sat them down.
1852 J. T. Bullock Misc. Poems II. 47 Against this frail, waybeaten form, Whatever ills combine, It matters not how great the storm, If Nora's love be mine.
1898 Academy 23 Apr. 437/1 To have subscribed himself editor of this correspondence would have been a hackneyed and waybeaten mode.
† way-sore adj. poetic Obsolete
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > by or of travel
travel-worn1596
way-wearied1618
way-beaten1620
wayworn1758
way-spent1777
way-sore1797
1797 R. Southey Poems 147 A poor Wanderer struggled on her journey Weary and way-sore.
1857 H. Bonar Hymns of Faith & Hope 99 Rest for the weary way-sore feet.
1871 F. T. Palgrave Lyrical Poems 125 The blood-track'd journey of life, The way-sore feet.
† way-spent adj. Obsolete
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > by or of travel
travel-worn1596
way-wearied1618
way-beaten1620
wayworn1758
way-spent1777
way-sore1797
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Choephoræ in tr. Æschylus Tragedies 355 The dark hour exhorts The way-spent traveller [Gk. ἐμπόρους] to repose beneath The hospitable roof.
1860 R. F. Burton Lake Regions Central Afr. I. ix. 317 At Inenge they had picked the carcase of a way-spent ass.
1916 W. A. Knight From Brighton Meadows 48 E'en the wanderer now, though way-spent and sighing, Will soon in his dreams hie him home.
way-wearied adj. poetic now rare
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adjective] > by or of travel
travel-worn1596
way-wearied1618
way-beaten1620
wayworn1758
way-spent1777
way-sore1797
1618 in W. Lithgow Pilgrimes Farewell sig. A3v Where shall thy neare way-weari'd Legges nowe goe?
1758 J. G. Cooper Call Aristippus iv. 6 Life's way-wearied travellers.
1922 Med. Picknick Oct. 367/2 He's the Pastor, so kind, Who doctors our Souls and clears up the mind Of poor, long lost Sinners and the way-wearied Swell.
2015 J. Thompson in John Thelwall: Sel. Poetry & Poetics Notes 305 Thelwall's image of a way-wearied traveler in a houseless waste.
C3.
waybeam n. a beam used in a longitudinal railway sleeper (see sleeper n. 10b).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > track > parts and fittings of rails > sleeper
cross-tie1813
sleeper1837
longitudinal1838
transom1838
cross-sleeper1841
railroad tie1847
stringer1848
tie1857
pot sleeper1869
waybeam1880
1880 Van Nostrand's Engin. Mag. July 71/1 The rails are laid upon longitudinal timbers, or way-beams, 18 inches wide by 15 inches in depth.
1883 Specif. Alnwick & Cornhill Railway 46 Within the troughs [sc. trough-girders] are to be laid..way-beams,..packed between the gussets with stemming pieces.
1920 H. H. Bird Pract. Design Plate Girder Bridges 12 The rails are carried on longitudinal way-beams sunk into built-up trough girders, which..are usually hog-backed in shape.
2012 Y.-L. Xu & Y. Xia Struct. Health Monitoring Long-span Suspension Bridges v. 119 The rail waybeams are the main longitudinal members which exist in pairs in each railway track.
† way-beater n. Obsolete a person who loiters along the road, esp. with the intention of robbing passers-by; cf. market beater n. at market n. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > robber > [noun] > highwayman
routerc1300
malandryna1438
stradarolle1562
highpad1567
highway robber1577
way-beatera1586
lance-man1589
high lawyer1591
St. Nicholas' clerk1598
outrider1599
bidstand1600
land-pirate1608
highwayman1617
pad1652
knight of the road1665
rum-padder1665
paddist1671
rum pad1688
pad-thief1690
gentleman (also squire) of the pad1700
snaffler1728
gentleman1778
scamp1782
scampsman1799
bandolero1832
ladrone1832
Spring-heeled Jack1838
road agent1840
agent1876
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xxii. sig. Dd3 This we learned chiefly, by the chiefe of those way-beaters.
a1595 R. Southwell Humble Supplication (1600) 83 So well knowne it is to euery way beater howe openly Catholikes lye to the pray.
1625 P. Heylyn Μικρόκοσμος (rev. ed.) 460 In former times husbandry began to be neglected Villages depopulated, and hindes, for want of entertainment, to turne way-beaters.
1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 5th Bk. Wks. xxvi. 122 A sort of People whom they call'd High-way-men, Way-beaters [Fr. Batteurs de pavez], and makers of Inroads in Roads.
† way-beguiling adj. Obsolete that helps a journey to pass pleasantly.
ΚΠ
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Sol. ix. 46 Short miles, and way-beguiling Company.
1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion ii. 53 Not a Hamlet could we pass, Rarely a House, which did not yield to him Remembrances; or from his tongue call forth Some way-beguiling tale. View more context for this quotation
1872 H. S. Stokes Memories viii. xl. 175 He sigh'd, and closed his way-beguiling book.
† way-bewildered adj. Obsolete uncertain or confused as to one's way; somewhat lost.
ΚΠ
1807 S. T. Coleridge Let. Aug. (1959) III. 23 I wandered on, so thought-bewildered that it is no wonder, I became way-bewildered.
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms 349 Like some fair virgin at the humble door Of her dear mountain-cot, standing to greet The way-bewildered traveller.
1846 A. L. Lymburner Fall of Nan Soung I. vi. 110 Moayang-tse..who, whilst Genghis yet bore the name of Temujin, helped to sustain a cloth, for a whole night above the head of the way-bewildered chief.
way-book n. a book containing details about, or a record of, a journey or route.
ΚΠ
1792 New Ann. Reg. 1791 Principal Occurr. 4/1 Upon examining the way-book he found that the carriage of the parcel had been paid, and that the prisoner had only accounted for one shilling for the porterage.
1895 Westm. Gaz. 11 Mar. 1/2 A complete way-book of the journey from Cherbourg to Nice has been printed.
1904 Atlantic Monthly Jan. 126/2 It is, indeed, a little too bulky and heavy to serve, as it might otherwise admirably serve, as a way-book for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
2009 T. J. Stiles First Tycoon xi. 285 At his urging, its captain..stopped the unloading of passengers, and reviewed the waybook, which listed the passengers' destinations.
† way-chain n. Obsolete a brake for the wheel of a vehicle; in quot. figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > [noun] > means of restraint or restraining force
bridleeOE
bridea1425
restraint1523
aweband1531
bit1546
retentive1580
control1594
curb1613
hank1613
constriction1650
retinue1651
check1661
spigot1780
brake1875
way-chain1884
tab1889
inhibitor1902
check-cord1908
iron maiden1912
inhibition1932
1884 Ld. Salisbury Speech St. Andrew's Hall in T. Williams Polit. Wit & Humour (1889) x. 67 I will take the Duke of Wellington's simile. He said it [sc. the House of Lords] was a way-chain, or, as in these days we should say, a vacuum-brake.
† way-door n. Obsolete a door opening on to the street.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > window or door > types of door > [noun] > other types of door
hall-doorc1275
falling doorc1300
stable doorc1330
vice-door1354
hecka1400
lodge-doorc1400
street door1465
gate-doora1500
portal1516
backdoor1530
portal door1532
side door1535
by-door1542
outer door1548
postern door1551
house door1565
fore-door1581
way-door1597
leaf door1600
folding door1611
clap-door1625
balcony-door1635
out-door1646
anteportc1660
screen door1668
frontish-door1703
posticum1704
side entrance1724
sash-door1726
Venetian door1731
oak1780
jib-door1800
trellis?c1800
sporting door1824
ledge-door1825
through door1827
bivalves1832
swing-door1833
tradesmen's entrance1838
ledged door1851
tradesmen's door?1851
fire door1876
storm door1878
shoji1880
fire door1889
Dutch door1890
patio door1900
stable door1900
ledge(d) and brace(d) door1901
suicide door1925
louvre door1953
1597 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 1st 3 Bks. iii. iv. 58 But hee must needes his Posts with blood embrew, And on his way-doore fixe the horned head.
way-end n. (a) the end of a railway line, esp. inside a mine (now rare); (b) Shipbuilding the end of a launch way for a ship or boat; frequently attributive in way-end pressure.
ΚΠ
1820 Edinb. Encycl. (1830) XIV. 358/1 When the distance from the pit bottom became considerable, regular and well laid wooden rail-ways were laid to a point near the wall faces, named the way-end.
1869 W. Barnes Early England & Saxon-English 106 When the railway was taken into the hands of more learned men, we had..the terminus instead of the rail-end, or way-end, or outending.
1886 J. Barrowman Gloss. Sc. Mining Terms 72 Way-end, the inner extremity of the wooden railways formerly used in mines.
1908 Rep. Irruption of Water Brereton Collieries 7 in Parl. Papers (Cd. 4290) XIX. 623 He set two props at the way-end, but the roof continued to ‘work’.
1913 Shipbuilder (Ann. Internat. Number) 107/1 To keep the way-end pressures within moderate limits, ample buoyancy must be given to the stern as it passes over the way ends and enters the water.
1919 Internat. Marine Engin. Feb. 87/2 In order to determine with accuracy the maximum pressures over the way-end when crushing strips are fitted as above outlined, it will be necessary to calculate the deflection of the vessel.
2001 K. J. Rawson & E. C. Tupper Basic Ship Theory (ed. 5) I. viii. 293 It has been suggested that the simple method predicts way end pressures which are unrealistically low.
† way-flax n. Obsolete (apparently) a kind of flax.
ΚΠ
c1610 Cry in Sturbridge Fair in J. Gutch Collectanea Curiosa (1781) II. 16 Also that no man shall regrate [any] of the aforesaid things, as..Way-flax,..Rosin, Yarn, Pitch, Tar-Cloth, or other thing of Grocery ware.
† wayfood n. Obsolete food for a journey.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > supply of food or provisions > [noun] > supply for journey
stoverc1330
wayfooda1382
prog1655
viaticum1665
padkos1848
compo pack1943
baon1956
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Deut. xv. 14 Bote þou shalt ȝeue weyfode [L. viaticum] of þe flokkys.
† wayhire n. English regional (northern). Obsolete a payment made in return for the granting of a right of way; cf. wayleave n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for privilege > [noun] > of permission to pass over another's property
wayleave1427
wayhire1748
gate-law1769
1748 in Quarter Sessions Rec. (N. Riding Rec. Soc.) (1890) VIII. 267 To save the country the several rates pay'd by the Riding for wayhires..when the said road is overflowed with water.
† way lead v. Obsolete transitive to lead or guide (a person) on a journey.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > lead back
teachc893
forleadOE
to lead the wayc1175
kenc1200
dressc1330
lerec1330
guy1362
guidec1374
reduce?a1425
tell1485
way lead1485
arrect1530
reconduct1566
reduct1580
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) vii. xiii. sig. niijv Whether ward ar ye way ledyng this knyghte.
† way-leader n. Obsolete (archaic in later use) a person who leads or guides a traveller through a country or area; frequently figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > one who guides or leads
way-witterc1275
leadera1300
lodesmanc1300
predecessora1325
guide1362
duistre1393
conduct1423
way-leaderc1450
guiderc1475
conductor1481
leadsmanc1510
janissary1565
Palinurus1567
forerunner1576
convoy1581
mercury1592
pilota1635
accompanier1753
runner1867
c1450 ( tr. Vegetius De Re Militari (Digby) f. 202v/2 Loke wel þat þi wey leders [a1450 Douce wey sekeres; L. sapientes] be konnyng & knowyng þe weyes.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Luke i. f. xixv Thy sonne beeyng as a waye leader vnto the heauenly preaching of thissame Messias, shall prepare the heartes of menne.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xiv. sig. Qq7v Let the Gods dispose of me as shall please them; but sure it shall be no such way, nor way-leader, by which I will come to libertie.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres iv. 99 They are to procure faithful and trusty guides, and skilful way leaders.
1664 J. Chandler tr. J. B. van Helmont Wks. 111 As leavens or ferments were altogether the way-leaders, and necessary unto every transmutation of a thing: so they did denote corruption, unconstancy, and impurity.
1895 W. Morris & E. Magnússon tr. S. Sturluson Stories Kings of Norway III. xiv. 262 There he met Lothaire, the Kaiser of Rome-burg, who gave him an exceeding good welcome, and fetched him a way-leader through the whole of his realm.
† way letter n. Obsolete (a) British a letter conveyed between any two towns which lie on a given post route to London, but not as far as London itself (cf. by-letter n. at by- comb. form 2c(b)(i), byway n. 3) (historical in later use); (b) U.S. a letter accepted by a postman en route between post offices (as opposed to one picked up at a post office).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > letters, etc., by method of dispatch or conveyance
post-letter1648
ship-letterc1675
by-letter1685
penny-post letter1686
way letter1710
by-night1766
cross-letter1789
twopenny1818
box letter1827
non-paid1829
balloon-letter1870
pigeongram1875
railway letter1891
pneumatogram1894
airmail1918
aerogram1919
airgram1919
air letter1920
pneumatique1924
pneu1926
snail mail1929
aerogramme1934
airgraph1941
1710 Act 9 Anne c. 11 Be it enacted..That if..any Deputy Postmaster..shall not duly answer and account to Her Majesty..for all such By and Way Letters..or that shall destroy or embezill any such [etc.].
1739 J. Cay Abridgm. Publick Statutes II. sig. 10Uv It shall be lawful for the postmaster general to set up cross stages, and take for all letters which he shall convey in such cross stages, as also for all by or way letters, the same rates in proportion to the distances as letters conveyed to and from London.
1773 H. Finlay Jrnl. 11 Nov. (1867) 38 Way letters he makes his own perquisite.
1851 E. Bowen U.S. Post-Office Guide 47 On the letters brought by a mail carrier to be mailed, called way-letters, one cent. is to be charged in addition to the usual postage.
1893 H. Joyce Hist. Post Office x. 147 For purposes of illustration..A bye or way letter would be a letter passing between any two towns on the Bath road and stopping short of London.
1908 Post-office Appropriation Bill Hearings (House of Representatives) 370 I should say that a way letter is in the nature of a drop letter on a water course where there is no regular post-office. As I understand it, it is an accommodation to the people living along a water course.
way-mate n. now rare a fellow traveller; a travelling companion.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > traveller > [noun] > companion
companionc1325
samenferec1400
wayferea1450
lodes-mate1575
fellow traveller1581
way-mate1628
synodite1655
escort1745
compagnon de voyage1768
1628 R. Hayman tr. Severall Sententious Epigr. 44 in Quodlibets A merry Way-mate [L. comes] that can tale and skoch, With a tyr'd horse, is better then a C'roach.
1659 R. Brathwait Panthalia 149 With much cheerfull discourse and pleasant parlyance did these two amiable way-mates entertaine the time, and allay the difficulty of their Journey.
1846 Tract Mag. July 160 Christ within, my shield from error, Faith and Hope my way-mates dear.
1919 E. O. Achorn & E. N. Teall Unknown Quantity ii. i. 133 He even attempted poetry as many a one before him has when first smitten with the divine afflatus. These lines he called: Waymates... Under the sky Of dear July, Wandering, just we two together.
1975 E. C. Teodorescu tr. in B. Bartók Rumanian Folk Music IV. 475/1 Hoy, hoy, waymates, hoy!
† way pane n. Obsolete a piece of ground in an irrigation system lying alongside, and watered by, the main irrigation channel; cf. pane n.2 5b.
ΚΠ
1779 G. Boswell Treat. on watering Meadows ii. 26 A Way Pane, is that part of the ground which lies in a properly watered meadow, on the side of a main where no trenches are taken out, but is watered the whole length of the main over its banks.
1801 W. Tatham National Irrigation 98 A way-pane is the strip of land left for cartage, along the side of the main [i.e. principal ditch].
way passenger n. U.S. a passenger picked up or set down at a point between two main stopping places on a coach route, railway line, etc.; esp. one boarding or alighting at a way station on a railway line.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > public passenger transport > [noun] > number of passengers using specific transport > passenger to or from intermediate stop
way passenger1786
1786 Massachusetts Spy 5 Jan. Way-passengers will be accommodated when the stages are not full.
1799 Mass. Mercury 12 Feb. The fare is 4d per mile for way passengers.
1833 C. F. Hoffman Let. 25 Nov. in Winter in West (1835) I. 105 At Huron, where the boat put in to land way-passengers.
1879 Scribner's Monthly Nov. 115/1 The few way-passengers had left the carriage at an international station.
1920 N.Y. Times 11 Nov. 12/7 A new schedule fixing the rate of fare for way passengers between Albany and Buffalo at 2 cents a mile.
1991 F. E. Dunwell Hudson River Highlands 132 He guessed that 250,000 ‘through passengers’ and 250,000 ‘way passengers’ would ride the train each year, if the trip from New York to Albany could be run in five hours.
way place n. U.S. a place on the wayside; esp. a stopping place on a road or railway, as a wayside hostelry, an intermediate station, etc.
ΚΠ
1846 Yale Lit. Mag. Aug. 395 It would seem as if Genius had gone mostly to the way places and hedges and forced the lowly to join its bridal company.
1849 H. Melville Jrnl. Visit to London & Continent (1948) 67 In a fit of the nightmare was going to stop at a way-place, taking it for the place of my destination.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi lii. 512 She got out of the cars at a way place.
1906 J. O. Faversham Squaw Man xiv. 146 Do let us see the place. I've always longed to have a real adventure at a way-place off the beaten tourist track.
1995 R. L. Wood Land that Slept Late i. 47/2 On December 9, while traversing the Soleduck valley, they obtained lodging at a way place operated by men named Crosby and Harriss.
way port n. a port of call (as opposed to the port that is the ultimate destination of a voyage); a port normally used as a port of call; cf. way station n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > harbour or port > [noun] > types of
creek1478
mole1545
haveneta1552
havenleta1552
portlet1577
seaport1596
close-harbour1615
basin1725
close port1728
entry port1838
port of call1838
way port1846
tidal basin1858
tidal harbour1859
port of register1860
1846 J. L. Barton Lake Commerce 27 During the last season, the number of Passengers which left Buffalo, was 93,367. Taken on board at way-ports before the Boats reached the end of their route 5,369.
1897 ‘M. Twain’ Following Equator xxxii. 303 A good many of us got ashore at the first way-port to seek another ship.
1927 Blackwood's Mag. Mar. 330/2 ‘A way-port!’ he sighed, after ordering coffee. ‘It's turned out to be a terminus for a good many fellows like me.’
1992 G. Titchener in H. M. Hintjens & M. D. D. Newitt Polit. Econ. Small Trop. Islands 196 Ivaran vessels..travel from the Gulf to Buenos Aires and stop at Bridgetown as a way port on the return voyage.
way-post n. now archaic = guide-post n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > that which guides or leads > signpost or stone
Mercury's finger1589
signpost1597
mercurial statue1638
way-post1647
mercury1668
mercury's statue1684
mercurial stone1716
waywiser1725
guide-post1761
cross in the hands1762
fingerpost1762
guide stone1762
handpost1764
parson1785
fingerboard1793
direction-post1795
guide-board1810
signboard1829
handing-post1837
directing-post1876
1647 T. Ford Times Anatomiz'd xxv. sig. E3v No man teaches better then he, and no man lives worse, teaching others what he does not himselfe, like way-posts, directing travailers in their way, but themselves not stirring.
1773 J. Berridge Christian World Unmasked 211 They were like way-posts, which shew a road, but cannot help a cripple forwards.
a1845 R. H. Barham Blasphemer's Warning in Ingoldsby Legends (1847) 3rd Ser. 236 And you came to a place where three cross-roads divide, Without any way-post, stuck up by the side Of the road, to direct you and act as a guide.
1988 P. Fitzgerald Beginning of Spring ix. 71 The river ran darkly, still choked with the winter's majestic breaking ice and the debris carried along with it, an inconceivable amount of rubbish—baskets, crates, way-posts, wash-tubs, [etc.].
† way-rate n. Obsolete (historical in later use) a rate levied by a local authority for the upkeep of roads.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > local or municipal taxes or dues > [noun] > rates > rate for roads
way-rate1739
1739 J. Cay Abridgm. Publick Statutes II. sig. 11X2v It shall be lawful for such inhabitants of the said parishes as pay to the poor and way rates, to meet on the first monday after the 25th of March every year; to chuse four inhabitants to be joined with the mayor, &c. to put this act in execution.
1813 Examiner 8 Feb. 91/2 I was..appointed Way-warden for the parish; and was dragged from my business to collect the way-rate.
1905 Rep. & Trans. Devonshire Assoc. 37 344 An extract of the several items which relate to the repairs of the chapel, & which were taken from the way-rate book, is here inserted.
† way-reeve n. Obsolete an official appointed to oversee the maintenance of public roads; (later more generally) an official having responsibility for a road; cf. way-serjeant n.In later use apparently only with reference to a character in a medieval legend or romance about the parents of Charlemagne.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > road > [noun] > officials responsible for roads
way-serjeant1334
wayman1458
warden1486
waywarden1649
way-reeve1788
1788 W. Marshall Rural Econ. Yorks. I. 189 Every township ought to employ a roadman or working-way-reave..for the same excellent purpose [of road-mending].
1798 W. Marshall Rural Econ. Southern Counties II. 264 The wayreeves of the Isle of Wight have hit upon a simple, and cheap method, of forming quarterings, in hollow ways, and difficult places, where there was only one narrow waggon track.
1865 J. M. Ludlow Pop. Epics Middle Ages II. v. 379 They reach the city at dinner-time, but Blanch-flower neither eats nor drinks; onward still they press to the house of Symon the good way-reeve.
1883 J. J. Britton Lay of Lady Ida 13 ‘Wayreeve, this hath dazed my brain, Knowest thou not that I am Pepin!’ Down the Wayreeve by his rein Knelt.
† wayreif n. Obsolete robbery committed on the road; (also) a fine payable for such robbery.Only in Old English.Quots. lOE1, lOE2 are from a late copy of a 7th-cent. legal code.
ΚΠ
lOE Laws of Æðelberht (Rochester) xix. 4 Gif wegreaf sy gedon, vi scillingum gebete.
lOE Laws of Æðelberht (Rochester) lxxxix. 8 Ðeowæs wegreaf se iii scillingas.
way's end n. now rare (with the or possessive pronoun) the end of a journey (literal and figurative); (also) †the completion of a process (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > completing > [noun] > completion of a process
way's endc1300
c1300 St. Patrick's Purgatory (Laud) l. 100 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 202 (MED) Þe faireste feld þat miȝte beo atþe weiȝes ende he iseiȝ.
a1325 (c1280) Southern Passion (Pepys 2344) (1927) l. 327 Ak goþ to þe weyes ende And alle þat ȝe ffyndeþ þer to þe brudale he sende.
c1450 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 15th Cent. (1939) 263 The more I goo the ferther I am behinde, The ferther behinde the ner my wayes ende.
1526 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 219 It shall be lawfull for the purveyour..to take..such Poultry stuff..paying unto them such prices..as the said purveyor..should have paid therefore at the wayes end.
1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man f. cxljv Thou must therfore goo alonge by the scripture as by a lyne, vntyll thou come at Christ, which is the wayes ende and restynge place.
1662 W. Petty Treat. Taxes 84 The one [stuff] wanting nothing but tacking up, to be at its ways end; and the other tayloring..and several other particulars.
1878 Carthusian Apr. 417/1 At the way's end once more they hear its voice—In the Great Silence are thy words; their tone Shall rise at last, to doom or to deliver.
1907 Cosmopolitan Mag. Aug. 380 Now, at the way's end, guerdon of the quest, I lift the Isis-veils of Change and Fate.
2012 U. Wikan Resonance x. 253 Mohammed Atta (and his companions) had come to their way's end.
† way-serjeant n. Obsolete an officer appointed to collect tolls levied on travellers for the upkeep of forest roads; cf. way-reeve n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > road > [noun] > officials responsible for roads
way-serjeant1334
wayman1458
warden1486
waywarden1649
way-reeve1788
1334 Petition in Rotuli Parl. (1767–77) II. 84/2 En eyde de lour ferme de Weyserjauntz qe soleyent estre en foreyn boys pur le Cheminage, laquele Cheminage & Weywodewares sount ore defete par reson de la Porale.
† way-shide n. [ < way n.1 + shide n.] Obsolete a plank used as part of a gangway.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > other equipment of vessel > [noun] > ladder or gang-plank
ship-ladderc1050
fall-bridge1487
way-shide1535
gallery ladder1706
side ladder1724
gangboard1769
gangway ladder1778
gangplank1785
stern-ladder1794
race board1808
gangway1846
brow1867
boarding-bridge1878
passerelle1989
1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII c. 18 Conveyeng awaye of wayshydes shores pyles..from the said bankes and walles [of the Thames].
way stop n. originally and chiefly U.S. (a) an intermediate stopping place on a journey or route; also figurative; (b) a stop or break taken during a journey at an appointed stopping place.
ΚΠ
1884 Waterloo (Indiana) Press 12 June 7/5 The train had way stops..and were [sic] about one hour and a half making the run.
1912 N.Y. Times 28 Dec. 3/1 The thief had cut through a wire screen shielding an open window of the stateroom, on the opposite side from a station platform at a way stop.
1914 N.Y. Suppl. 147 731 He..fully understood that the train in question would immediately, after having made a way stop at Rockville Centre, continue in an easterly direction.
1924 Independent 19 July 52 On their round-the-world flight..they hopped off to Charbar, Persia, a way stop on the way to Bendar Abbas.
1969 Islander (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 17 Aug. 12/3 She [sc. a steamboat] makes various way-stops on each trip and as Skipper McMinn says—‘We stop for anyone who jumps up and down on the shore and gives us a holler.’
1981 Southern Hort. (N.Z.) Spring 13 A town that's now making it. Martinborough was once just a way stop on the road to Pirinoa.
1983 C. G. Hart Rich die Young iv. 45 Pat was using the Academy as a way-stop while he tried to break into the movies.
2002 Buffalo News (N.Y.) (Nexis) 10 Feb. a1 Murphy Orchards, once a way stop on the Underground Railroad, in the Niagara County village of Burt.
† way-stopping adj. Obsolete that obstructs one's way.
ΚΠ
1623 J. Taylor World runnes on Wheeles sig. B3v It cleared the Streetes of these way-stopping Whirligiggs.
1887 W. G. Stables Harry Milvaine iv. 324 He made these [boats] broader in the beam, so that he managed to dispense with the abominable way-stopping outriggers.
way train n. originally and chiefly U.S. a train which stops at intermediate stations on a railway journey; a stopping train.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > train > passenger train > stopping at some or all stations
slow train1838
omnibus train1846
way train1846
stopping train1854
stopper1969
1846 Laws State N.Y. 282 Where the car or cars of the way train shall pass at the junction of any other railroad, or at any point where a siding shall be established.
1873 ‘M. Twain’ & C. D. Warner Gilded Age xxix. 269 Next morning..he descended, sleepy and sore, from a way-train.
1920 S. Lewis Main St. iii. 22 The hordes of the way-trains were not altogether new to Carol.
1942 E. B. White One Man's Meat 331 He half closed his eyes and was as quiet on the journey as a middle-aged drummer on a way train.
1997 3rd Internat. Symp. Autonomous Decentralized Syst. 330/2 Four express trains and four way trains start from and arrive at each terminal..every hour.
way-walking adj. rare that roams the streets, or walks along the road.In quot. 2003, probably after quot. a1535.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [adjective] > with no fixed aim or wandering > as a vagabond or tramp
vagrant1461
loiteringa1533
way-walkinga1535
roguing1566
roguish1572
vagabondical1576
vagabond1585
vagabondinga1586
land-loping1587
vagrom1600
leap-land1614
vagabondial1615
vaguea1627
gangrel1650
vagabondious1661
going1737
gang-there-out1815
tramping1828
vagabondizing1830
pikey1838
beachcombing1845
runagate1877
going-about1886
bummy1890
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) iii. xix. sig. R.v Whether euery waye walking beggre be by this reason out of prieson or no, we shal considre.
2003 A. Wroe Perfect Prince i. 18 Venturers could also be found in every city and down every lane: traveling salesmen, itinerant priests, musicians, ex-students, way-walking beggars, mercenary soldiers dismissed from campaigns.
way-weary adj. (and n.) wearied, exhausted, or worn out by travel (cf. Compounds 2b); (also occasionally as n.) that which is way-weary.
ΚΠ
1763 G. Keate Alps 25 The cloyster'd Hermit opens wide His hospitable Gate, to welcome in The sick'ning Pilgrim, and afford Repose To the way-weary Stranger.
1916 E. Blunden Harbingers 60 Wayweary traveller, with your broad bright eyes.
1935 T. E. Lawrence Seven Pillars (trade ed.) (To S.A.) 5 Love, the way-weary, groped to your body.
1997 D. DeLillo Underworld (2007) 666 Then he dropped the butt and stepped on it with the tap toe of his way-weary shoe.
† way-went n. Obsolete a path, a passageway.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, passage, or means of access to a place > [noun]
patheOE
gangOE
gangwayOE
passagec1300
wenta1325
goingc1350
transit1440
way-wenta1450
accessa1460
traduct1535
conveyance1542
ancoming1589
passado1599
avenue1600
passageway?1606
pass1608
way-ganga1628
approach1633
duct1670
waygate?c1690
way-goa1694
vent1715
archway1802
passway1825
approach road1833
fairway1903
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 158 Worthy wytys in al þis werd wyde, Be wylde wode wonys and euery weye-went.
way-wise adj. (originally) familiar with a road, route, or journey; expert in finding the right route; (later also in extended use, chiefly regional) experienced in the ways of the world, a particular occupation, etc.Use in the 19th cent. in the original sense is also chiefly regional, with reference to a working animal, esp. a horse, that is experienced and fully trained; cf. earlier wayed adj.2
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > skilled or experienced
oldOE
well-usedc1300
experientc1420
way-wisea1460
pertly1466
practica1522
perite1530
well-practised1539
well-experienced1541
practised1548
experienced1576
veteran1624
practical1632
well-seasoned1640
seasoneda1643
callent1656
versant1766
used1786
salted1864
roteda1901
shell-backed1930
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > temperament > [adjective] > obedient or well-trained > trained for going on roads
wayeda1642
way-wise1901
a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) l. 1346 The simpil man supposeth ofte he be Weywiser then he is.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot i. iv. 14 He is neither weather-wise, nor way-wise, nor penny-wise.
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Waywise, expert in choosing the road.
1840 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 3rd Ser. ix. 122 If they [sc. women as wives] are too old they are apt to be headstrong from havin' had their head so long; and, if they are too young, they are hardly way-wise enough to be pleasant.
1898 Longman's Mag. July 207 In a thick drizzle, mind me, you can't keep a coach-road, let alone a track across the common. An' you can't trust a ho'se then not even when he's old an' waywise.
1901 Munsey's Mag. 25 740/2 When a colt can be safely driven around the home grounds, he is considered ‘farm broke,’ or way wise.
1918 F. Hackett Ireland xi. 309 Flung into the medley of American life, he was compelled..to become way-wise in the factory, [etc.].
2006 H. Eiland & K. McLaughlin tr. W. Benjamin Arcades Project 519 The person who travels a street, it would seem, has no need of any waywise guiding hand.
† waywisdom n. Obsolete the fact or quality of being way-wise; experience, know-how.
ΚΠ
1903 N.Y. Times 26 Aug. 6/4 Both her motives and her action—except for its lack of waywisdom—were not only above reproach, but were commendable.
† way-witter n. Obsolete (with plural agreement) people who have knowledge or skill in finding or following paths, routes, etc., collectively; cf. witter adj.1
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > [noun] > one who guides or leads
way-witterc1275
leadera1300
lodesmanc1300
predecessora1325
guide1362
duistre1393
conduct1423
way-leaderc1450
guiderc1475
conductor1481
leadsmanc1510
janissary1565
Palinurus1567
forerunner1576
convoy1581
mercury1592
pilota1635
accompanier1753
runner1867
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 6418 Þa cleopeden þe æorl Costantin & bad þa wæi-witere [c1300 Otho wei-wittie] for-ærnen þa wateres.
† way-witty n. Obsolete people who have knowledge or skill in finding or following paths, routes, etc., collectively; cf. way-witter n.
ΚΠ
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 6418 Þo saide þe eorl Constantin þat wei-wittie [c1275 Calig. wæi-witere] hernde to þe wateres.
† waywoodware n. Obsolete (perhaps) a fee charged for the transporting of goods through a forest; (perhaps) timber to be used in the construction of roads.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > [noun] > wood for other specific uses
mazera1200
waywoodware1334
piling1422
tenter-timber1562
pinwood1580
mazer wood1594
stop-rice1653
pudlay1679
puncheon1686
veneer1702
pit-wood1715
broach-wood1835
chipwood1838
matchwood1838
fretwood1881
pulpwood1881
coffin-wood1883
bur1885
spool-wood1895
1334 Petition in Rotuli Parl. (1767–77) II. 84/2 En eyde de lour ferme de Weyserjauntz qe soleyent estre en foreyn boys pur le Cheminage, laquele Cheminage & Weywodewares sount ore defete par reson de la Porale.
C4. In the names of plants found growing on waysides.See also waybread n.1, waywort n.
way barley n. [compare earlier way bennet n. and waybent n.] now rare wall barley, Hordeum murinum.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > cereal, corn, or grain > [noun] > barley > types of barley or barley-plant
polbere1440
bigg1446
long-ear?1523
sprat-barley?1523
waybent1538
wall barley1548
barley-bigg1552
bigg-barley1562
polbarley1574
pilled barley1578
way bennet1578
wheat-barley1578
French barley1596
way barley1597
rough bere1642
palm-barley1706
Scotch barley1707
square barleya1722
Thor-barley1755
ware-bere1793
barley-grass1795
German rice1828
battledore barley1848
1597 J. Gerard Herball i. 67 This kinde of wilde Barly..is called..in English Wall Barly, Way Barly, or after old English writers, Way Bennet. It groweth vpon mud wals, and stonie places by the waies'sides.
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum xiii. iii. 1147 Hordeum spurium vulgare. Common Way-Barly. This hath divers Grasse-like leaves, but somewhat hard.
1659 R. Lovell Παμβοτανολογια 29 Park: Way barley makes haire grow.
1710 W. Salmon Botanologia I. xliv. 63/2 The greater Way Barley, or Wall Barley, has a fibrous or Thready Root.
1811 Encycl. Londinensis (new ed.) X. 279/2 Way-barley,..called also wild rye or rye-grafs, has an annual root.
1913 N. L. Britton & A. Brown Illustr. Flora Northern U.S. (ed. 2) I. 287 Hordeum murinum L. Wall or way Barley. Way Bent.
2011 S. E. Ullrich Barley ii. 31/2 Wall barley or way barley, is a..winter annual.
way bennet n. (also more fully way bennet grass) [ < way n.1 + bennet n.2; compare earlier waybent n.] now rare = way barley n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > cereal, corn, or grain > [noun] > barley > types of barley or barley-plant
polbere1440
bigg1446
long-ear?1523
sprat-barley?1523
waybent1538
wall barley1548
barley-bigg1552
bigg-barley1562
polbarley1574
pilled barley1578
way bennet1578
wheat-barley1578
French barley1596
way barley1597
rough bere1642
palm-barley1706
Scotch barley1707
square barleya1722
Thor-barley1755
ware-bere1793
barley-grass1795
German rice1828
battledore barley1848
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iv. xlv. 504 Wall Barley, or Way Bennet.
1606 W. Ram Little Dodeon sig. f2v For to stoppe all issues of blood..Way bennet or barly wrapped in a crimosin skinne.
1665 R. Lovell Παμβοτανολογια (ed. 2) 464 Way bennet, see wall Barly.
1763 J. Mills New Syst. Pract. Husbandry III. 333 The Wall barley, or way bennet, as some people improperly term it.
1824 G. Sinclair Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis (new ed.) 27 Hordeum murinum, wall-barley, way-bennet-grass.
1900 E. Step Pratt's Flowering Plants Great Brit. (new ed.) IV. 92 Way Bennet..though not common in Eastern Scotland, is found throughout England.
1982 D. McClintock Guernsey's Earliest Flora 182 Way-bennet, which appears in several contemporary works, seem to be an expanded and sanctified form of Way-bent.
waybent n. [ < way n.1 + bent n.1] now rare = way barley n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > cereal, corn, or grain > [noun] > barley > types of barley or barley-plant
polbere1440
bigg1446
long-ear?1523
sprat-barley?1523
waybent1538
wall barley1548
barley-bigg1552
bigg-barley1562
polbarley1574
pilled barley1578
way bennet1578
wheat-barley1578
French barley1596
way barley1597
rough bere1642
palm-barley1706
Scotch barley1707
square barleya1722
Thor-barley1755
ware-bere1793
barley-grass1795
German rice1828
battledore barley1848
1538 W. Turner Libellus de re Herbaria at Phenix Phœnix,..uocatur hec herba quibusdam, Waybent.
1640 J. Parkinson Theatrum Botanicum 1147 Waybent..hath power, as Pliny saith to draw thornes.
1773 W. Hanbury Compl. Body Planting & Gardening II. 171/2 Waybent..grows naturally on old mud-walls.
1811 Encycl. Londinensis (new ed.) X. 279/2 Way-bent, called also wild rye or rye-grass, has an annual root.
1946 E. Taylor Palladian ix. 89 They had collected rye-grass and waybent.
† way-cresses n. Obsolete rare = sciatica cress n. at sciatica n. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Cruciferae (crucifers) > [noun] > cress
cressa700
pepperworta1500
dittany1548
sciatica cress1562
way-cresses1562
churl's cress1578
churl's mustard1578
dittander1578
cockweed1585
colt1585
green mustard1597
peasant's mustard1597
sciatica grass1597
scar-wort1657
yellow-seed1818
money tree1934
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 20v [Iberis] may be called in Englishe way-cresses, wilde cresses, or sciatica cresses.
† way-grass n. Obsolete knotgrass, Polygonum aviculare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > [noun] > knot-grass
swine's grasslOE
bird's-tonguea1300
sparrow's-tonguea1400
corrigiolec1400
swinecress?a1425
knot-grass1538
way-grass1565
centinode1611
pinkweed1657
breadwort1736
stone-weed1847
allseed1855
knotwort1864
wire-weed1864
willow weed1866
knotweed1884
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Calligonon... Waygrasse: knotgrasse.
1765 in J. Swift Wks. XIII. 164 (note) Calligonum, way-grass, knot-grass.
1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. Way-grass, a weed; knot-grass. Polygonum aviculare.
1920 W. E. Brenchley Weeds of Farm Land xiii. 220 Polygonum aviculare... way-grass.
† way thistle n. Obsolete creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants perceived as weeds or harmful plants > weed > [noun] > corn thistle
sharp thistlec1050
sharp dockc1400
way thistle1597
corn-thistle1878
creeping thistle1884
cursed thistle1884
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 1012 The way Thistles grow euery where by high way sides and common paths, in great plenty.
1662 C. Merrett tr. A. Neri Art of Glass vi. 265 The best and strongest of all English ashes, are made of the common way Thistle.
1794 W. Pitt Gen. View Agric. Stafford 33 The common cursed or way thistle.
1829 Prize-ess. & Trans. Highland Soc. Scotl. 7 268 A forest of way-thistles..indicates a good, rather strong soil.
1900 29th Ann. Rep. State Hort. Soc. Michigan 312 Canada thistle. Creeping-thistle. Way-thistle. Prickly-thistle.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

† wayn.2

Forms: 1500s waye, 1500s–1600s way.
Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: wey n.1
Etymology: Origin uncertain; perhaps a specific use of wey n.1 (compare the variants at that entry). Compare web n. 16.
Obsolete. rare.
A quantity of glass. Cf. web n. 16.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass > measure or quantity of
sheaf1402
wisp1470
way1558
web1558
crib1688
crate1823
1558 Bk. Rates in Patent Roll, 4 & 5 Philip & Mary, Part 3 (P.R.O.: C 66/920) m. 16v Glasse the waye or wabe cont. lx bunches.
1582 Rates Custome House (new ed.) sig. Ciij Glasses Reinish the way or web containing lx. bunches.
1656 Act Commwealth (1658) c. 20. 468 Glass for Windows called..Rhenish, the Way or Web.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

† wayv.

Forms: 1500s–1800s way, 1600s waigh, 1600s–1700s weigh.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: way n.1
Etymology: < way n.1 Compare earlier weigh v.1 Additions.
Obsolete.
1. intransitive and transitive (reflexive). To go, journey, proceed. English regional (Yorkshire) in later use.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]
nimeOE
becomec885
teec888
goeOE
i-goc900
lithec900
wendeOE
i-farec950
yongc950
to wend one's streetOE
fare971
i-wende971
shakeOE
winda1000
meteOE
wendOE
strikec1175
seekc1200
wevec1200
drawa1225
stira1225
glidea1275
kenc1275
movec1275
teemc1275
tightc1275
till1297
chevec1300
strake13..
travelc1300
choosec1320
to choose one's gatea1325
journeyc1330
reachc1330
repairc1330
wisec1330
cairc1340
covera1375
dressa1375
passa1375
tenda1375
puta1382
proceedc1392
doa1400
fanda1400
haunta1400
snya1400
take?a1400
thrilla1400
trace?a1400
trinea1400
fangc1400
to make (also have) resortc1425
to make one's repair (to)c1425
resort1429
ayrec1440
havea1450
speer?c1450
rokec1475
wina1500
hent1508
persevere?1521
pursuec1540
rechec1540
yede1563
bing1567
march1568
to go one's ways1581
groyl1582
yode1587
sally1590
track1590
way1596
frame1609
trickle1629
recur1654
wag1684
fadge1694
haul1802
hike1809
to get around1849
riddle1856
bat1867
biff1923
truck1925
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. ii. sig. B4v On a time as they together way'd, He made him open chalenge, and thus boldly sayd. View more context for this quotation
1709 Yorkshire-racers 14 They..Way'd to the Course, and gallopp'd true and well.
1850 Ballad in Notes & Queries 18 May 473/1 Then with bare head away Robin sped, And himself was fit to fall. Robin a devil he way'd him home. [Note] ‘I way'd me’ is yet used in parts of Yorkshire for ‘I went’.
2. transitive. To train (a horse) for being ridden on the roads.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > [verb (transitive)] > training horses in specific ways
manage1561
pace1595
school1608
way1639
supple1753
traffic-proof1971
1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman i. v. 25 Untill such time, as he hath been..made gentle,..content to be shod, to be Back't, Broken, Ridden, Wayed, Mouthed.
a1652 A. Wilson in F. Peck Desiderata Curiosa (1735) II. xii. 25 My spotted Nag..being younge & not well waigh'd, run away with mee.
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 14 He that hath a Scrupulous Conscience, is like a Horse that is not well weigh'd, he starts at every Bird that flies out of the Hedge.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4490/4 Lost.., a young black Gelding, comes 4, not thorough weigh'd.
3. intransitive. With unto. To construct a road or path to a place.In quot. in indirect passive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > paving and road-building > pave or build roads [verb (intransitive)] > make road
way1640
1640 W. Somner Antiq. Canterbury 195 It was a Free-Schoole for the City..anciently wayed unto, and having a passage to it from some part of Burgate-street.
4. transitive. To set or position on a way or track.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > move on wheels [verb (transitive)] > set vehicle on track
way1763
1763 Let. 21 Dec. in London Mag. (1764) Mar. 145/2 When a waggon happens to be off the waggon-way, if laden, it will take two or three horses to way the waggon again.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

wayadv.

Brit. /weɪ/, U.S. /weɪ/
Forms: early Middle English wei, Middle English wai, Middle English wey, Middle English– way, 1500s waye, 1600s weay, 1800s– 'way; Scottish pre-1700 1700s– way, pre-1700 1800s– wa, 1700s 1900s– waa, 1800s 'wa', 1800s waw, 1800s– 'wa, 1800s– wa', 1800s– 'way.
Origin: Probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: away adv.
Etymology: Probably aphetic < away adv. Compare (probably similarly formed) Middle Dutch wech (Dutch weg), Middle Low German wege, German weg (14th cent.).The following apparent earlier examples (in quot. OE in a compound) are more likely to be the result of scribal haplography, respectively for forðon onweg and on onweggewite ‘in aberration’ (compare the alternative versions cited):eOE (Mercian) Vespasian Psalter (1965) xciii. 12 (14) Quia non repellet dominus plebem suam et hereditatem suam non derelinquet : forðon weg ne adrifeð dryhten folc his & erfe his ne forleteð.OE Cambridge Psalter (1910) cxv. 11 (2) Ego dixi in excessu mentis meae: omnis homo mendax : ic cwæð on weggewite [eOE Vespasian Psalter in onweggewite, OE Junius Psalter on awggewitnesse] modys minys ælc mann leas.
1. = away adv. (in various senses). Now colloquial or nonstandard (chiefly Scottish and U.S.).to do way: see do v. Phrasal verbs 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > [adverb]
offeOE
outena1200
hereout?c1225
wayc1275
orf1845
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7951 Let alæten þis wæter & wei weorpen [c1300 Otho awey werpe].
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 949 Gredi foueles fellen ðor-on..abram..kagte is [= chased them]wei.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13049 Do wai fra þe yon wicked womman.
a1425 in R. H. Bowers Three Middle Eng. Relig. Poems (1963) 30 (MED) This ore the dedly synnys seven That ledys man way fro heven.
1460 C. Hansson in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 216 As for tythyngs here, the Kyng is way at Eltham.
1533 T. More 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndale iv, in Wks. 593/2 Which great occasyons Godde suffred to fal vpon him and carye hym waye. [Tindale's words are: to carye him clene oute of the waye.]
c1605 W. Adams Let. in A. Farrington Eng. Factory in Japan (1991) I. 51 [I]n the night, having very much wind, our fore-sayle flew way.
1684 J. Stewart Let. in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 219 They tok yt weay & Gef to mie reprayfell.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 199 When I went way I had no Heart to run, or scarce to mend my pace.
1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. II. 168 It was forced to sail way.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian i, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 14 Gae wa', gae wa'.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words How 'way, come away;..very common in Newcastle.
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb iii. 23 Gae 'wa', ye havril.
1905 Overland Monthly Dec. 508/1 ‘You go 'way,’ woodpecker he say. ‘This is my hole.’
1942 Z. N. Hurston in A. Dundes Mother Wit (1973) 226/2 If your feets don't..take you 'way from here.
1964 B. Dylan It ain't me Babe (song) in Lyrics 1962–2001 (2004) 131 Go 'way from my window Leave at your own chosen speed.
1965 J. K. Annand Sing it Aince 43 Gae 'wa, Gae 'wa, ye donnert auld fule.
2003 R. Fairnie Scots Tung Wittins (SCOTS) No. 117 Gae wa to your wark wi ye, ye idle hizzies!
2. Originally U.S. At or by a considerable distance, far.
a. Preceding a preposition. Also with a figurative sense of distance, overlapping with sense 2c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adverb] > at or to a distance
ferrenc888
farc900
longOE
afarc1300
yond13..
on length1340
alonga1382
adreigha1393
on dreicha1400
afar offc1400
far-aboutc1450
alengtha1500
distantlya1500
remote1589
remotely1609
yferrea1643
out of his (her, its, etc.) way1650
adistance1807
away1818
way1833
way1833
way off1836
way out1840
1833 ‘E. Elmwood’ Yankee among Nullifiers ix. 80 But de sun, he way up de sky now.
1849 W. S. Mayo Kaloolah v. 44 You see it was way towards Tupper's Lake.
1887 E. B. Custer Tenting on Plains viii. 239 He sat 'way under the mantel to let the tobacco-smoke go up the chimney.
1891 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 29 I would have sold at a very low price, way below cost.
1927 Baroness Orczy Sir Percy hits Back v. 35 The three men had become mere specks, 'way down the road.
1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 16 Oct. 589/3 You are feet deep in snow and the temperature is way below zero.
1972 Guardian 17 Nov. 1/6 The census figures confirm..that unemployment is way above the official figure.
1984 J. Davis Garfield: Who's Talking? 41 ‘I was hoping for something more romantic.’ ‘That's way down the list.’
2004 H. Kunzru Transmission (2005) 102 Arjun, that kind of decision takes place way over my head.
b. Preceding another adverb, as down, over, etc. See also way back adv., way off adv., way up adv. Cf. away adv. 9b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > distance or farness > [adverb] > at or to a distance
ferrenc888
farc900
longOE
afarc1300
yond13..
on length1340
alonga1382
adreigha1393
on dreicha1400
afar offc1400
far-aboutc1450
alengtha1500
distantlya1500
remote1589
remotely1609
yferrea1643
out of his (her, its, etc.) way1650
adistance1807
away1818
way1833
way1833
way off1836
way out1840
1833 Atkinson's Casket Apr. 192/2 Way down Souf, close to de moon, Dar lib a man—he name Calhoun.
1850 L. H. Garrard Wah-to-Yah xvii. 222 Calyforny! way over yonder!
1851 E. S. Wortley Trav. in U.S. I. xxiii. 262 The trading and wealthy cities of far off Alabama and Louisiana, ‘way down south’.
1866 Atlantic Monthly May 640 Nor these ain't metters thet with pol'tics swings, But goes 'way down amongst the roots o' things.
1908 S. E. White Riverman ix Until you got sick of it way through.
1984 B. Bragg Island of No Return (song) Pick up your feet, fall in, move out, we're going to a party way down south.
2001 Guardian 15 June i. 24/7 While narrowband is now relatively cheap, Britain falls way behind in the upgrade to broadband.
c. Preceding too or a comparative adjective or adverb: by a great amount; much, far.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > by or to a great degree or extent > to a great degree (of difference)
farc900
largelyc1325
largea1400
widely1603
far-about1848
sizes1861
way1903
tons1908
1903 H. E. Bindloss Mistress of Bonaventure xviii. 246 The woman laughed immoderately. ‘It was way better'n a circus,’ she said.
1927 Pop. Sci. Mar. 146/2 He added too much pig [sc. pig iron]..got the carbon way too high, and tried to ore it down.
1941 L. I. Wilder Little Town on Prairie v. 34 ‘I wonder how much it costs,’ said Ma. ‘'Way too much for ordinary folks,’ said Pa.
1957 New Yorker 2 Nov. 105/2 Go by plane, train or ship. Arrive way sooner—relaxed!
1977 Rolling Stone 24 Mar. 53/5 He was a country & western singer and he drank way too much.
1986 T. McGuane To skin Cat (1989) 184 You're way prettier than she is.
1991 J. O'Connor Cowboys & Indians (1992) 206 The music had got way too heavy for his liking, serious hard-core reggae.
2005 Elle Girl (U.K. ed.) Feb. 14/3 She's way more overtly sexual than me.
3. slang (originally U.S.). Extremely, very; really. Cf. well adv. 16b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > very
tooc888
swith971
wellOE
wellOE
fullOE
rightc1175
muchc1225
wellac1275
gainlya1375
endlyc1440
hard?1440
very1448
odda1500
great1535
jolly1549
fellc1600
veryvery1649
gooda1655
vastly1664
strange1667
bloody1676
ever so1686
heartily1727
real1771
precious1775
quarely1805
murry1818
très1819
freely1820
powerfula1822
gurt1824
almighty1830
heap1832
all-fired1833
gradely1850
real1856
bonny1857
heavens1858
veddy1859
canny1867
some1867
oh-so1881
storming1883
spanking1886
socking1896
hefty1898
velly1898
fair dinkum1904
plurry1907
Pygmalion1914
dinkum1915
beaucoup1918
dirty1920
molto1923
snorting1924
honking1929
hellishing1931
thumpingly1948
way1965
mega1966
mondo1968
seriously1970
totally1972
mucho1978
stonking1990
1965 R. H. Williams & C. G. Wirths Lives through Years v. 80 She had depressions..and would be ‘way high and then way low’.
1976 Cincinnati Mag. July 56/1 I'll throw pitches 'way high to help them form an eye for good balls.
1982 F. Pohl Starburst xxii. 134 They don't think they're rising much any more, but they're way high already.
1988 Freestyle BMX June 25/2 The guys behind the bar were way cool, flowing free beers to the visiting skaters.
1990 New Musical Express 21 July 14/6 When we recorded it originally I doubled up the drums and it sounded way Gary Glitter, way Clash.
2011 S. John Desert Gift v. 36 Her friend cupped a hand at her mouth and called out, ‘He's way cute.’

Compounds

C1. Scottish. With participles and verbal nouns, esp. in nouns with the sense ‘departure’, as waycoming, wayfleeing, way-passing. Chiefly in waygoing n. after 17th cent.
ΚΠ
1479 in Acts Lords of Council Civil Causes (1839) I. 45/1 Þat þe persouns þt past fra þe eleccioun of þe said Alexander be summond..to ansuer..for þair way passing.
a1500 Tomas of Ersseldoune (Cambr. Ff.5.48) (1875) l. 649 I wepe not for my way walkyng, Thomas, truly I þe say.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iv. vi. 93 Tofoir thi wayfleing, Had I ane child consavit of thi ofspring.
1558 in W. Mackay & H. C. Boyd Rec. Inverness (1911) I. 20 Huchon..confessit..the way pullyng of the tayll of ane ox.
a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 420 Sche farther willit, to offer the way-sending of the men of weir.
1586 in W. Fraser Memorials Montgomeries (1859) II. 227 At my waycuming, I am surelie informit my Lord hes riddin to Polnone this day.
a1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 11 [They] brunt the toun at thair way passing.
1651 A. Johnston Diary (1919) II. 95 Heard of the Scots airmy coming to Dumfermling after hir waycoming.
1830 W. Bennet Traits Sc. Life III. 269 Janet 'ill be diein' wi' dread about my waybein'.
C2.
way-cast n. Scottish something of little value or use; a thing which can be discarded without hesitation or concern. Sc. National Dict. (at wa adv.) records this word as still in use in Orkney, Shetland, and north-eastern Scotland in 1973.
ΚΠ
1827 J. Imlah May Flowers 83 Gie big-bellied John Bull his pot fu' o' Porter, Which is far frae a wa'-cast.
1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 311 A dram like that's nae a wa'-cast on a hill-tap.
1947 New Shetlander No. 4. 2 Robbie said among other things, that it was a wanwirt an a wa-cast.
† way-ganging n. Scottish Obsolete = waygoing n.; cf. way-gang n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > [noun] > setting out
foundingOE
partingc1300
outgoing?c1335
buskinga1400
way-gangingc1485
profectiona1538
departure1540
waygoinga1600
way-ganga1628
upcoming1654
outsettinga1698
setting-out1711
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 166 Gif a man..assuris ane othir frely to cum and spekis nocht of his way ganging.
a1605 R. Bannatyne's Jrnl. (1806) 490 It was ewin, at the way ganging of the day light.
a1700 in R. Pitcairn Hist. Kennedy Families (1830) 11 In thair way-ganging schott the maister.
1835 J. D. Carrick Laird of Logan 276 Scringe cam the driver's whip alangside the noddy, and in its waganging gave me a skelp athort the chaft blade.
1898 E. W. Hamilton Mawkin of Flow xi. 125 I'd be laith to get an ill name at the very outset of our way-ganging.
† way-go n. Scottish Obsolete rare = way-gang n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, passage, or means of access to a place > [noun]
patheOE
gangOE
gangwayOE
passagec1300
wenta1325
goingc1350
transit1440
way-wenta1450
accessa1460
traduct1535
conveyance1542
ancoming1589
passado1599
avenue1600
passageway?1606
pass1608
way-ganga1628
approach1633
duct1670
waygate?c1690
way-goa1694
vent1715
archway1802
passway1825
approach road1833
fairway1903
a1694 A. Balfour Lett. (1700) 130 They use to stop the way-goe of the Water, sometimes in the Summer, and lett the Place overflow with Water.
waygone adj. Scottish gone away; departed. Sc. National Dict. (at Wa) records this word as still in use in Shetland in 1973.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > absence > [adjective] > absent or gone away
absentee1772
waygone1831
1831 P. Sellar County of Sutherland 81 in Farm-rep. They are sorted into their wedder herdings to replace the waygone lot of the last year's ewe hogs.
1894 L. Williamson in Sc. National Dict. at Wa adv. He's waygane for ever.
† way-sliding n. Scottish Obsolete rare a deviation or fall from the path of moral rectitude or true faith.
ΚΠ
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 169 Avoiding right-hand snares and extremes, and left-hand way-slidings.
way-taking n. Scottish the taking away or removal of something; esp. theft. Sc. National Dict. (at Wa) records this word as still in use in Ayrshire in 1930 and Shetland in 1973.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > [noun] > removal or taking away
withdrawingc1315
remuingc1330
withdraught1340
taking awaya1382
discharginga1398
removinga1398
remotiona1425
subtraction?a1425
amovingc1443
taking offc1450
abstraction1467
way-taking1479
substracting1549
conveyance1567
sublation1567
remove1589
removal1595
exemption1598
substraction1601
supporting1608
amovement1618
subductiona1620
conveying1621
amolitiona1641
withdrawment1640
subducting1645
suffuration1651
summotion1653
amoval1657
withdraw1720
withdrawal1838
removement1846
1479 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 93/1 Befor þe lordis comperit Dauid Wemys summond..anent þe wataking of thre oxin furth of þe landis of myrecarny.
a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 56 And so did Jesus Christ, the onlye trew Light, schyne unto many, for the way-tackin of one.
1625 in J. Stuart Misc. Spalding Club (1852) V. 218 The gryt trubill and discord betuin the laird and his tenantis anent the waytaking of doris at thair remowing.
1900 ‘W. Gairdner’ Glengoyne II. ii Something o' the guilt o' the wa-takin' o' the cairn wis on my heed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

wayint.2

Brit. /weɪ/, U.S. /weɪ/
Forms: 1800s whay, 1800s– way. Also reduplicated.
Origin: An imitative or expressive formation.
Etymology: Imitative. Compare whoa int. Surv. Eng. Dial. records the word (in a variety of pronunciations) from the majority of English counties (with the main exception being the south-east midlands and East Anglia) in response to the question ‘When you want your (plough-)horses to stop, what do you say?’
Chiefly British regional.
Used as a command to a horse (or occasionally to a person) to make it stop or slow down: = whoa int. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > do not move [interjection] > command to stop > specific to animals
whoac1467
whoa ho1802
way1836
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz (1839) 370 Away went the donkey..‘Way-way! Wo-o-o-o-!’ cried Mr. Cymon Tuggs.
1845 C. Dickens Cricket on Hearth ii. 78 ‘Way!’ This monosyllable was addressed to the Horse, who didn't mind it at all. ‘Oh do Way, John!’ said Mrs. Peerybingle. ‘Please!’
1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. xv Whay! Stop. There's an old woman in here.
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Way, whoa! An exclamation used to a horse, when he is required to stop.
1986 J. Downes Dict. Devon Dial. Way, stop! Woah!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

> see also

also refers to : -waycomb. form
<
n.1int.1eOEn.21558v.1596adv.c1275int.21836
see also
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