Now only south-w. dial. Forms: 4 (9) vese (9 veze); 6–7 (9) vease, 7 veaze; 7 veeze (9 veese); 9 vaise, vaze, etc. [Southern var. of FEEZE sb.] A rush, impetus; a run before a leap. (Cf. FEEZE sb. 1 and 1 b.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knight’s T., 1127. And ther out cam a rage, and such a vese, That it made al the gate for to rese.
1573. Twyne, Æneid., XII. N n 4 b. This vp in hand he caught, and tremblyng at his foe did flyng, Arysing up therwith, and forth his vease he fet withall.
1614. Gorges, Lucan, I. 41. In this fitting whirle-winde vease, I passe the Mountaines Pyrinees. Ibid., VIII. 346. O Marriners stay not my veaze, Headlong to plunge into the seas.
a. 1618. J. Davies (Heref.), Wit’s Pilgrimage, Wks. (Grosart), II. 31/2. From whence Loues lightest Muses take their veeze To leape into those Seas, which cares destroy.
1646. in Dircks, Life Marq. Worcester, x. (1865), 171. I only would retire myself from further present charge, as a ram doth to take a greater vease.
1678. Ray, Prov., 78. Every pease hath its veaze, and a bean fifteen … signifies Pease are flatulent, but Beans ten times more.
1825. Jennings, Dial. W. Engl., 80. Vaze,… the distance employed to increase the intensity of motion or action from a given point.
1875. Porson, Quaint Words S. Worcs. 26. What a vese they [sc. the hounds] did go, surely.
