Obs. Also 5 vekke, wekke. [app. ad. It. vecchia, fem. of vecchio old.] An old woman.
As direct adoption from Italian would be remarkable in the 14th cent., it is possible that the word existed in OF. colloquial use.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 98. This olde wyht him hath awaited…: Florent his wofull heved uplefte And syh this vecke wher sche sat.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4495. A rympled vekke, ferre ronne in age, Frownyng and yelowe in hir visage.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 2795. Sche cleped anoon vn-to hir presence An aged vekke, fer in ȝeris ronne. Ibid. (1426), De Guil. Pilgr., 12752. An olde wekke a-noon, I mette. Ibid. (1430–40), Bochas, I. xx. (1554), 36 b. Whan these veckes, ferre yronne in age, Within them selfe hath vaine glory and delite For to farce and poppe their visage.
