Middle English

Verb

wharven (third-person singular simple present wharveth, present participle wharvinge, simple past and past participle warfte)

1. to change; convert; transform; exchange; (the participle hwerefinde was used as an adjective meaning changeable)
   • 1275, Layamon's Brut:

     Wið him warfte Brien al his iweden.

2. to turn away; turn, divert
3. to move about; wander; (the participle wharrfedd was used as an adjective meaning confused)
   • 1225, Trinity Homilies:

     Þis lage flemeð þe fule gost ut of þe child, and he wandrede wide, wernende longe, sechende him oðer stede on bileffulle manne.

4. to come about, happen;
5. to roll about, tumble, tussle; to roll together
   1. (when reflexive) to come together in battle

Related terms

• wharf
• wherve