Obs. Forms: 1–2 wǽman, wǽpnman, wǽpen-, wépenmon, 3 wepman, (Ormin weppmann), weopmonne, wepmon(ne, wapmon, -man. [OE. wǽpnman, f. wǽpn WEAPON (= membrum virile) + man MAN sb. Cf. OE. wǽpned adj., male.] A man as distinguished from a woman, a male human being.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Luke ii. 23. Eʓhuelc he vel woepenmon to-untynes hrif [Vulg. omne masculinum adaperiens uuluam].
c. 1000. Ælfric, Deut. xxii. 5. Ne scride nan wif hiʓ mid wæpmannes reafe, ne wæpman mid wifmannes reafe.
1123. O. E. Chron. (Laud. MS.). Forbearn eall meast se burh of Lincolne & micel unʓerime folces wæpmen & wimmen forburnon.
c. 1200. Ormin, 7998. Þær comenn forrþ to lofenn himm An weppmann & an widdwe.
c. 1205. Lay., 1119. Leode nere þar nane ne wapmen [c. 1275 wepmen] ne wifmen.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 316. Forði mi sunne is more þen of one weopmonne.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1379. Luue … Bitweone wepmon & wimmane [Jesus MS. þe mon & wymmone].
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1001. And of is hird euerilc wapman wurð circumcis.
c. 1275. XI Pains of Hell, 145, in O. E. Misc., 151. Uvrþer þer beoþ wimmen and wapmen bo.
b. Comb.: wapman-kin, persons of the male sex.
c. 1200. Ormin, 4092. All þatt weppmannkinn þatt wass inn hise walde.
c. 1205. Lay., 498. Al þæt wapmon-cun [c. 1295 monkun] þa mihte beren wapen.
