Forms: 1 weard, 3–7 warde, 4 Sc. vard, 5 waard, north. wayrd, 5–8 Sc. waird, 6–7 (rare) word(e, 7 Sc. wairde, 4– ward. [OE. weard str. fem. = MLG. warde, OHG. warta (MHG. warte, wart, guard, watch, observation, mod.G. warte watch-tower):—OTeut. *warðō, f. *warð- (see prec.), whence also ON. varðe wk. masc., varða wk. fem., cairn, heap of stones. The Teut. word was adopted in Rom.: OF. warde (north-eastern), guarde, garde (whence GUARD sb.), mod.F. garde, Pr., Sp. guarda.
Some of the senses below are derived from the Law French warde (whence AL. warda), which appears to be in part an adoption of the Eng. word, and in part the north-eastern OF. form. In Law French, from the 13th c. onward, the word has regularly the form garde.]
I. Action of watching or guarding.
1. The action or function of a watchman, sentinel or the like; observation for the purpose of discovering the approach of danger; look-out, watch, guard; also, surveillance. Phrases, to hold, keep ward. Also in the alliterative formula watch and ward (orig. a law phrase): see WATCH sb. Now arch.
Beowulf, 319. Ic to sæ wille wið wrað werod wearde healdan.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 2202. But ward was þer set wide wher aboute of bold burnes of armes þe beres for to seche.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VI. 186. Let no kynne consail ne couetyse ȝow departe, That on wit and on wil alle ȝoure wardes kepe.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W., 1506), III. iii. 158. And therfore watche they upon theyr warde.
1546. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 52. Rise with the said Eirle and pay ward and watch with him during the tyme of were.
1563. P. Whitehorne, Onosandro Platon., 47. Those, whiche shalbe appointed to make the ward, let them go before the Campe,… and make fyres after suche sorte, that they may see those farre of.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xx. 26. [We] gaue to vnderstand too him that had the warde, that the Ambassadour was there.
1649. C. Wase, Sophocles, Electra, 50. Had not I light in the house to keep A faithfull ward.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, VI. 750. And dire Tisiphone there keeps the Ward.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. ix. 345. Ward, guard, or custodia, is chiefly intended of the day time…. Watch is properly applicable to the night only.
1778. Bp. Lowth, Transl. Isaiah xxi. 8. 51. O my Lord, I keep my station all the day long; And on my ward have I continued every night.
1813. Scott, Trierm., III. x. Sounds were heard, as when a guard, Of some proud castle, holding ward, Pace forth their nightly round.
1835. Trench, Poems, Gibraltar. I … saw thy gallant children to and fro Pace, keeping ward at one of those huge gates.
2. a. gen. Guardianship, keeping, control. Now rare. † Out of ward: beyond control, out of hand (obs.).
c. 1205. Lay., 19402. He bitahten him þa warde of alle þissen ærde.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 430. Almihti God, he wite ou in his warde.
c. 1290. St. Francis, 66, in S. Eng. Leg., 55. Seint Fraunceys nam þat tresor … and in ore louerdes warde it tok.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 10342. Ioseph … of egypti was hei stiward, And al þat land had in his ward.
c. 1305. St. Swithin, 26, in E. E. P. (1862), 44. Wel him wiste þis holi man and god warde to him nom.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Parson’s T., ¶ 880. My lord hath take to me vnder my warde al that he hath in this world.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 3709. The two brether were abidyng bothe in a shippe, þat was stird with the storme streght out of warde.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., II. 340. Bot he [Joseph] refoysitt þat curtassy, For þe worschep of his larde, Þat al his gud put in his warde.
1459. Paston Lett., I. 495. That fyrst an inventorie be made holye of hys godes and catell … and thayt they be leyd yn sure waard.
1485. Caxton, Paris & V. (1868), 57. That he kepe you in hys holy warde.
1530. Tindale, Exod. xii. 6. And ye shall kepe him [sc. the paschal lamb] in warde vntyll the .xiiii. daye of the same moneth.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, III. 144. The infant from his birth is overfed … till he is put into his own ward.
1827. J. F. Cooper, Prairie, xiv. Such events as occurred during the ward of Ellen Wade. [A person left in charge of the camp and children.]
1873. J. G. Holland, A. Bonnicastle, xi. 175. Under the conduct and ward of a Shepherd who would lead me only through green pastures.
b. spec. Guardianship of a child, a minor or other person legally incapable of conducting his affairs. Also, the condition of being subject to a guardian.
c. 1290. Beket, 267, in S. Eng. Leg., 114. So muche he caste is heorte on him þat in his warde he let do his eldeste sone sire henri.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6426. King edmond biqueþ Is kinedom & al is lond king knout biuore is deþ, & þe warde of is tueye sones vor te hii of elde were.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 345. He … tok this child into his warde.
1444. Maldon (Essex) Liber A, 32 b. If the children be with in xiiii ȝere age, the moder shall haue the warde of hem tyl thei come to the seide age.
1538. Starkey, England, 186. The faute of bryngyng vp of the nobylyte, wych, for the most parte, are nuryschyd wyt[h]out cure, bothe of theyr parentys being alyfe, and much wers of them in whose ward commynly they dow fal aftur theyr deth.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 40, ¶ 4. The Law certainly gives these Persons [sc. idiots] into the Ward and Care of the Crown.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, xxxvi. You are in ward to me, and not Lord Calverly.
a. 1901. W. Bright, Age of Fathers (1903), I. 365. Ecclesiastics were to abstain from visiting widows and heiresses under ward.
c. Feudal Law. The control and use of the lands of a deceased tenant by knight-service, and the guardianship of the infant heir, which belonged to the superior until the heir attained his majority.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 214. Of wardes & relefe þat barons of him held, Þer ne was ore of chefe, tille him no þing suld ȝeld.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XII. 320. Gif ony deis in this battaill, His air, but ward, releif, or taill, On the first day his land sall weild.
1422. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 176/1. All maner Wardes, Mariages, Fermes, and other casueltees. Ibid. (1461), V. 473/1. Any Graunte made … of the Warde of Lond and of the body, with the mariage of John Kenne.
1507. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 205/2. Pertenyn to the King be reson of ward throw the said Patrikkis deceis.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1533), 20. A parlyament was holden … where … the lordes and baronye of the lande graunted vnto the kynge and to his heyres kynges, the warde and mariage of theyr heyres.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, I. i. 5. I must attend his maiesties command, to whom I am now in Ward.
1616. A. Rathborne, Surveyor, 192. The Lord … shall haue the Ward, that is, the custodie and keeping of those lands so holden of him, to his owne vse and behoofe, without account, vntill the heire come to the full age of one and twentie yeares.
a. 1646. Sir T. Hope, Minor Practicks, iv. (1734), 180. The Donatar during the Time of the Ward is in Place of the Master.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. viii. 293. [The statute 17 Edw. II., c. 9] directs … that the king shall have ward of the lands of natural fools, taking the profits without waste or destruction.
1810. Scott, Lady of Lake, II. xxxvii. My sovereign holds in ward my land.
1878. J. Davidson, Inverurie, ii. 73. Norman de Leslie … held the ward of the estate of Kemnay in 1348.
d. Court of Wards: a court established by Hen. VIII. for the trial of causes relating to wardships; subsequently called Court of Wards and Liveries; abolished by Stat. 12 Car. II. cap. 24 (1660). Also, in British India, the title of a court that deals with cases pertaining to the property of minors. Master of the Wards (and Liveries), the presiding judge of the Court of Wards (1541–1660).
1560. B. Googe, trans. Palingenius’ Zodiac, Ep. Ded. (1561). To … Sir William Cecill, Knight,… Master of the Wardes, and Liueries.
1591. Lambarde, Archeion (1635), 233. The Court of Wards began in our memorie, about 32. yeare of the Raigne of K. H. 8. who also in the next yeare after added thereunto the office of the Master of the Liveries,… ordayning that it should bee called the Court of Wards and Liveries.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. § 86. The Lord Say was to be Master of the Wards.
1914. Samuel McComb, in Contemp. Rev., March, 397. Miss Cornelia Sorabji, as Legal Adviser to Purdanashins under the guardianship of the Court of Wards of Bengal,… is doing very useful work.
3. Care or charge of a prisoner; the condition of being a prisoner; custody, imprisonment. Now rare.
Free ward: the condition of being a prisoner with permission to go anywhere within prescribed limits.
The phrase to ward was sometimes written as one word.
c. 1290. St. Katherine, 63, in S. Eng. Leg., 94. Maide, he seide, þou schalt abide In warde here mid me.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 6619. Gentil men þat he vond in prison ek ydo, Oþer in warde mid vnriȝt, he boȝte hom out al so.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 5856. The olde wyf that [kepeth] so harde Fair-Welcoming within her warde.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., xxv. In strayte ward and in strong prisoun.
1429. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 346/1. That the Keper and Wardeyn of the same Prisone … savely kepe every persone to his warde so commytted.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., xxv. 238. Here haue they soriornyd, noght as thyne, bot in thi wayrd.
1474. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., I. 53. Item gevin to Skrymgeour masare to convoye James Hering to warde, vs.
1546. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 36. Remane in fre waird within ony place the Eirle of Huntlie forsaid pleissis to assign. Ibid. (1564), 293. He sall remane in fre ward within the burgh of Edinburgh, and on na wayis depart furth of the samyn. Ibid. (1565), 414. He brak his ward furth of oure castell of Edinburgh.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 408. He was attached by the Erle Marshall, and committed toward in the Abbey of Saint Albones.
1578–9. Reg. Privy Council Scot., III. 66. That Hob Ellot … sould remane and keip his ward with Williame Portarfeild of Duchall, and on nawayis eschaip.
1599. in T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. i. (1633), 11. To bee committed to ward, there to remaine in safe custodie, untill [etc.].
1611. Bible, Gen. xl. 3. And he put them in ward in the house of the captaine of the guard, into the prison.
a. 1614. J. Melvill, Autob. & Diary (Wodrow Soc.), 267. It was thought best that the first sort sould be chargit to warde; the second apprehendit at unawars and punished.
1637. Rutherford, Lett. to Ld. Craighall, 10 Aug. It is easie for you to cast your light into prison,… But that prisoner will break ward to your incomparable torture.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxx. I trust your Grace remembers that you are under ward. Ibid. I have already said your Highness lies in ward here.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), III. xii. 193. He … kept him in ward two years till he agreed to the hard conditions.
1871. Blackie, Four Phases, i. 148. He remained in ward thirty days, till the sacred ship should return from the Delian festival.
† 4. Charge, duty entrusted to one; office. Obs.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 149. We þre haf þe ward of God & our ladie, Þe schippes of kyng Richard to kepe & ȝow þam bie.
c. 1460. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 1193. Þerto let hym take good hede, and his warde wayte wisely.
† 5. Care, regard. In phrases, To have no ward of, not to regard, not to fear; no ward, no matter (if, how). Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 11637. Moder, he said, haf þou na ward, Noþer o leon ne o lepard. Ibid., 20705. Ne has na ward of na juu For i self al wel be wit ȝow.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5011. He wende of þeym haue hed no warde, Bot hym fel þer a chek ful harde.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 24. For haue þei here myrþe and iolite, no warde to hem hou faste þe woluys of helle wirien cristen soulis & beren hem to helle. Ibid., 72. Ȝif mennus soulis gon to helle bi brekynge of goddis comaundementis no warde, so þat þe peny come faste to fille here hondis & coffris.
II. A person who is ‘in ward’ (see 2).
6. A minor under the control of a guardian. Also Sc. † ward-minor.
In Feudal Law the term (AF. garde) was applied spec. to an heir or heiress whose person and lands after the father’s death were held ‘in ward’ (see 2 c) by the superior during his or her minority.
Ward in chancery, ward of court: a minor for whom a guardian has been appointed by the Court of Chancery, or who has become directly subject to the authority of that Court.
1433. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 441/2. To the Kyng … louly compleynes … your Warde John Duc of Norfolk.
c. 1440. Alphabet of Tales, 285. He … servid a wurthi prince: & he made hym a knyght and gaff hym a warde, a grete gentylwomman, vnto his wyfe.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, V. xi. 180. In that stoure was syr Chestelayne a chyld and ward of syre Gawayne slayne.
1553. T. Wilson, Rhet., 66. In lamentyng the miserye of wardeshyppes I might saie it is not for noughte so communely said, I wil handle you like a warde.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 103. This cause did not concerne the Marques George only, but also his nephewe Albert, whiche was his worde [L. cuius erat tutor].
1604. T. Wright, Passions, IV. ii. 126. I thinke the punishment meetest for them, should be, that it were lawfull to beg them for Wardes, and giue them tutors, because they lacke discretion to vse their money.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 30. Sr Walter Leveson … leaves his young Orphan Ward to the King.
1731. Kames, Decis. Crt. Sess. 1730–52 (1799), 5. It was objected … that … the aliment of her infant-children was a proper burden upon herself, as being their mother, and liferentrix of their whole estate, which is provided by act of parliament in case of ward-minors, and extended by practice and analogy to other fiars.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 84. Here,… said she, here is your pretty ward and mine; let us try to make her time with us easy.
1810. Scott, Lady of Lake, II. xxvi. This youth, though still a royal ward, Risqued life and land to be my guard. Ibid. (1814), Lord of Isles, VI. ix. Then, ’twas her Liege’s strict command, And she, beneath his royal hand, A ward in person and in land.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., lvii. Mr. Snodgrass … had been in his minority a ward of Mr. Pickwick’s.
1842. Tennyson, Locksley Hall, 156. I was left a trampled orphan, and a selfish uncle’s ward.
1853. Dickens, Bleak Ho., viii. He is a ward in Chancery, my dear.
1870. H. Smart, Race for Wife, ii. Grenville Rose had been brought up a great deal with his cousin Maud, being, indeed, a ward of Denison’s.
b. transf. One who is under the protection or control of another.
a. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 1351. Than said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond, Thou hast fought for my doughter & my lond, And art my ward, i-wys.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 116 b. The Prince and his heires males, shall holde the Dukedome of Wirtemberge of kyng Ferdinando as Archeduke of Austriche, and so tobe his wardes and clientes.
1593. Nashe, Christ’s T., I 3 b. [Mother to her infant son] Nere shall the Romains haue thee for theyr Warde.
1600. Marston, etc., Jack Drums Entert., I. (1601), B 3. When being maried to a wise man (O the Lord) You are made a foole, a Ward, curbd and controlld.
1653. Milton, Hirelings, Wks. 1851, V. 373. For the Magistrate in Person of a nursing Father to make the Church his meer Ward, as always in Minority,… is neither just nor pious.
1659. F. Osborn, Miscell. Ess., etc., 166. So that, instead of being a Ward,… you shall be Guardian of the Person and Estate of your Husband.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, iii. With these words, Susan Nipper … made a charge at her young ward, and swept her out of the room.
† 7. An orphan under age. Obs.
1559. Mirr. Mag., Dk. York, iii. When her brother Edmund died a warde, She was sole hayer by due discent of line.
a. 1577. Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng. (1609), 109. A Ward or Infant is taken for a child in base age, whose Father is dead.
1577. trans. Bullinger’s Decades, II. v. (1592), 156. In the same sort also there are here commanded vnto vs, widdowes, Orphans, wardes, poore men.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. v. 42. His Sonne was but a Ward two yeares agoe.
III. Defence.
8. Fencing. A defensive posture or movement; a mode of parrying. Cf. GUARD sb. 3.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, III. xi. § 8. He … strake so thicke vpon Amphialus, as if euery blow would faine haue bene foremost. But Amphialus … let passe the storme with strong wardes, and nimble auoidings.
1589. [see PORR sb. 2].
c. 1590. Greene, Fr. Bacon, IV. iii. 1812. 1 Scholler. Ah, well thrust! 2 Scholler. But marke the ward.
1595. Saviolo’s Practise, I. F 2. With this readinesse must hee strike this reuerso, but withall, his lefte hand must bee vppon the warde of his teacher. Ibid., K 1. When you lie in this warde, and make vppon your enemie towardes his right side.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 215 (Q. 1598). Thou knowest my olde warde: here I lay, and thus I bore my poynt.
1599. G. Silver, Paradoxes of Def., Wks. (1898), 26. All single weapons haue foure wardes, and all double weapons haue eight wardes. The single sword hath two with the point vp, and two with the point downe. Ibid., 34. The Dagger is an imperfect ward, although borne out straight.
1640. Wits Recreat., E 1. On a Souldier. The souldier fights well, and with good regard, But when hee’s lame, he lies at an ill ward.
1652. Urquhart, Jewel, 88. He alters his wards from Tierce to Quart.
1810. Scott, Lady of Lake, V. xv. Fitz-James’s blade was sword and shield. He practised every pass and ward.
b. fig. Now arch.
1581. Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., III. (1586), 135 b. So these poore women … come to the amourous incounter with one, and with an other: but at length being driuen from their warde, they ly so open that they are soone venued.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, VI. 337. Will not so many warnings of death, iudgment,… sufficiently stirre vs vp to stand vpon our warde?
1619. in Eng. & Germany (Camden), 197. Otherwise they would long ere this have brought the deciding of their case to the greate assise of a day of battell, which hath bene their ancient and ever happy ward against their oppressors.
1622. Massinger & Dekker, Virg. Mart., II. i. D 1 b. I lay at my old ward of lechery.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 55. 124. To perfect vertue … there is required a … compleat armour, that whilst we lye at close ward against one vice we lye [not] open to the vennie of another.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., Pref. 2. For against the unexpected stroke of partiall history the ward is not so ready, as against that Polemike writing where [etc.].
1863. Whyte-Melville, Gladiators, xxii. Duplicity was no new effort for the Tribune. He had often, ere now, betaken himself to this mode of defence when driven to his last ward.
1892. Stevenson, In South Seas, III. v. (1900), 248. He hastily returned to his old ward. ‘I don’t deny I could if I wanted,’ said he.
† c. Defence, protection, shelter. Obs.
1582. T. Watson, Centurie of Love, xxiv. The beames, which then proceeded from her face Were such, as for the same I found no warde.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, I. 691. In their right Hands a pointed Dart they wield; The left, for Ward, sustains the Lunar Shield.
† d. Chess. ? The protection afforded by a specified piece or pawn. Obs. rare–1.
c. 1450. Treat. Chess (MS. Ashm. 344), lf. 3 b. Chek wt thy Roke in thy Pon Ward. Ibid., 17 b. Then chek wt thy Roke in thy knyghts warde.
9. Scots Law. Tenure by military service, WARD-HOLDING; sometimes quasi-adv. in to hold ward = ‘to hold in ward’ (see HOLD v. 6, 19 b). Also, a payment in commutation of military service; more explicitly taxed ward (see TAXED ppl. a. 2 c), in contradistinction to simple or black ward. Now only Hist. Cf. CASTLE-GUARD 2, 3, CASTLE-WARD 2.
The lawyers connected this sense with sense 2 c, as if ‘to hold land in ward’ meant to hold it subject to the lord’s right to ‘ward’ when the heir was a minor.
1508. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 271/1. Landis … haldin of the kingis hienes be service of ward and releyf. Ibid. (1530), II. 66/1. His landis within our realme that wer haldin of us be service of ward and releiff to Archibald Douglas.
1578. Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 693. All altering of haldingis blanche quhilk of befoir wes haldin ward.
1642. Sir T. Hope, Diary (Bannatyne Club), 176. A neu commissioun, for changing of ward in few, both of lands haldin off the King and Prince.
1684. Sir G. Mackenzie, Inst. Laws Scot., II. iv. (1691), 71. Some Lands hold Ward, some Feu, some Blench, and some Burgage.
1892. J. A. Henderson, Ann. Lower Deeside, 59. The king [c. 1680], in changing the holding of the lands from simple ward to taxed ward took occasion [etc.].
† 10. Sc. Ward and warsel: security, pledge.
a. 1600. Aberdeen Reg. (MS.), XXIV. (Jam.). To remane wpoun his ward and warsall. Ibid. He tuik nothyr ward nor wersell of the said claith.
1768. Ross, Helenore, 25. E’en sit you still, an’ rest you here wi’ me, An’ I shall ward an’ warsel for you be.
IV. A body of guards.
11. A company of watchmen or guards. Cf. GUARD sb. 9. Now rare.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Judg., Epil. Þa Iudeiscan … besetton his [sc. Christ’s] birʓene sona mid wearde.
13[?]. K. Alis., 1976 (Laud MS.). Þer þai telden her pauyloune Þat niȝth & hem resteþ þare Mid warde þat was good & war. [Lincoln’s Inn MS. With wardes, bothe gode and warre.]
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 5085. He dide sette in wardes seers, Knyghte to wachem, & squiers.
1382. Wyclif, Jer. li. 12. Vp on the wallis of Babilon rereth a tocne, eecheth the warde [Vulg. augete custodiam].
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 483/2. Miles stationarius,… one of the watch or ward.
1605. Famous Hist. Stukeley, E ij. Bid the Seriant Maior shut the gates, And see them guarded with a double ward.
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, III. xxx. Was frequent heard the changing guard, And watch-word from the sleepless ward.
1870. J. R. Macduff, Mem. Patmos, xx. 276. Twenty-four wards or companies were appointed night by night to guard the various entrances to the sacred courts.
† 12. A garrison. Obs.
c. 1500. Melusine, xxiv. 170. Thenne þey recouered there six of theire galeyes,… and lefte in it good wardes [Fr. gardes] for to kepe them.
1586. Hooker, Chron. Irel., 160/2, in Holinshed. This house of Asketten is a verie strong castell,… and the chiefest house of the earles, wherein he had a strong ward.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. xi. 15. On th’other side, th’assieged Castles ward Their stedfast stonds did mightily maintaine. Ibid. (1596), State Irel., Wks. (Globe), 664/2. I will have … some of them be putt in wardes, upon all the straytes thereaboutes.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., II. 97. There were planted little forts with wardes … to restraine the inroades of prey taking robbers.
a. 1660. Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archæol. Soc.), II. 102. Carrige beinge betrayed by the Protestant warde there.
† 13. One of the three main divisions of an army, the van, the rear, and the middle or ‘main battle.’ Also sometimes applied gen. to any division led by a subordinate commander. Obs.
[Orig. a use of the second element in the compounds avantward (vanward, vaward) and arrearward (rearward) adopted from OF. In these compounds the OF. warde meant ‘guard,’ and so was applicable only to the bodies placed in the front and rear. In English, on the analogy of vanward (also first ward, foreward) and rearward (also hinder ward), the term middle ward, MIDDLEWARD, came to be used for the ‘main battle,’ and thus ward acquired the sense above defined.]
13[?]. K. Alis., 1995 (Laud MS.). Sendeþ ymagu wyt ȝoure standard And Archillaus in þe first ward.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 4046, 4050. Nestor þe duke schal in þe firste ward Metyn with hym…. Þe þridde warde Pelleus schal lede. Ibid., III. 3401. Þer cam with hem þe kyng Machaoun, And alderlaste þe grete Agamenoun, With alle her wardis, & fel in sodeynly Vp-on Troyens.
c. 1430. Syr Generides (Roxb.), 3771. Now wendeth this ost in wardes ten Ful wel araied with noble men.
c. 1450. Merlin, xviii. 286. Than com Gaheries with his warde of iijMl goode men.
1450–1530. Myrr. our Ladye, 179. And eche pryncehode ys departed in tre orders, as in thre wardes. [Cf. ante. As an hooste in batayle ys departed in thre, that ys to saye, the forwarde, the mydel warde, and the rerewarde.]
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XII. ix. 113. Apon this wys the ostis and wardis haill On athir part returnyt in bataill.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xxxix. 22 b. Thus they went forthe in thre great batayls: the marshalles and the Almaygnes had the first, the kynge of Englande in the myddle warde, & the duke of Brabant in the rerewarde. Ibid., xlv. 25 b. In the mornyng they aproched in thre wardes.
1524. Pace, Let. to Hen. VIII., 5 Aug., in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), I. II. 21. Four & twenty great peaces of Artillerie … dayly foloing us in the hinder ward.
1563. P. Whitehorne, Onosandro Platon., 126 b. And after the first warde, cause the seconde, to succeede, and the thyrde next the same, and the fourth, and the fifte also, if so many shall nede.
c. 1585. Faire Em, V. i. 6. See all our men be martialed for the fight. Dispose the Wardes as lately was deuised.
1587. Holinshed, Chron., III. 980/2. The fore-ward foremost, the battell in the middest, the rere-ward hindermost, ech ward hauing his troope of horssemen and gard of ordinance.
1656. Harrington, Oceana, Wks. (1700), 171. But as to the peculiar Policy, of twelve Manipuls or Wards, divided into three Cohorts, each Cohort containing four Wards.
V. Place for guarding.
14. In a fortress: † a. The portion of the defences entrusted to a particular officer or division of the garrison. Obs. † b. A guarded entrance. Obs. c. The (inner or outer) circuit of the walls of a castle; the ground between two encircling walls. Obs. exc. arch.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 8301. A maister þat was wiþinne sende to þe erl beumond To ȝelde vp is warde to ben hol & sound. Ar his felawes were iwar he ȝeld him vp þere Þre toures of þe cite þat in is warde were.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 9087. Bot þa wardes of þe ceté of heven, Er mare crafty and strang þan any kan neven.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVII. 349. Till thar wardis thai went in hy, That war stuffit richt stalwardly With stanys, schot, and other thing.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 3191. The lady of the high warde [Fr. la dame de la haute garde] Which from hir tour lokide thiderward.
c. 1400. Beryn, 238. The knyȝt [tho] with his meyne went to se the wall, And þe wardes of the town, as to a knyȝt be-fall.
c. 1400. Sowdone Bab., 332. He entred to the maister Toure. The firste warde thus thay wonne.
1423. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 199/1. [He] made assaute to the said Castell, and wan the said warde.
c. 1425. Cursor M., 989 (Trin. MS.). Bailyes haþ þis castel þre Wiþ feire wardes [Cott. & Gött. walles] semely to se.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 222. As þou hast v. watyrgatys in þe vttere-warde, owtward in þe pytt of þi body…. Ryȝt so, þou hast v. watyrgatys in þe indere-warde of þi soule.
1485. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 384/1. The Offices of Keping of the Keys of th’ ynerward of oure Castell of Wyndesore.
c. 1500. Melusine, xix. 62. Soone was the Fortres made up not only with one warde but two strong wardes.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., xxvi. (Percy Soc.), 116. And therwith all he ledde me to his warde, Me to repose in pleasaunt due saufgard.
1530. Palsgr., 234/1. Inderwarde of a castell, cengle de chastel. Ibid., 250/1. Outterwarde of a castell, courtbasse.
1584. Sir R. Sadler, St. Papers (1809), III. 171. The strength of this howse, having two wards, the gentleman porter ever at the one with 4 or 5 in his company, and dyvers soldyers at the other.
1649. G. Daniel, Trinarch., To Rdr. 209. Euery hand Of accident doth wth a Picker stand, To scale the wards of Life.
1808. Scott, Marmion, I. iv. Then to the Castle’s lower ward Sped forty yeomen tall. Ibid. (1813), Rokeby, III. xxvii. Then, vain were battlement and ward!
1843. Ainsworth, Windsor Castle, IV. iii. Just as they entered the lower ward. Ibid. The party directed their course towards the middle ward.
transf. 1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. vii. 7. In the first circil, or the ytir Ward, Ȝoung babbeis saulis weping sor thai hard. Ibid., viii. 4. And sone thai wer in cumin to the plane And lattir wardis, quhairin dois remane Vailȝeant folkis in feild and chevalry.
† 15. An appointed station, post (for a body of soldiers). Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVII. 349. Quhen that thai saw That menȝe raynge thame swa on raw, Till thar wardis thai went in hy. Ibid., 627. Engynys alsua for till cast Thai ordanit and maid redy fast, And set ilk man syne till his ward.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxi. 463. They wente to their warde to defende the towne.
† 16. Within one’s ward: within the region in which one is safe: in quot. fig. Also, within (another’s) ward: in the region controlled by (another). Obs.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xvii. 66. The fyne louer that alwayes kepeth hymn selfe wythin his warde, and fyndeth noo thynge soo sure but that he putteth it in adoubte, can not be lyghtely deceyued.
1556. Phaër, Æneid, IV. (1556), K j. What meanes he? why remaines he thus within his enmies ward?
17. † a. A prison (cf. sense 3). Obs. b. Each of the divisions or separate departments of a prison.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 278. Opon þe toþer dai Edward þider cam, Þe prisons … Were brouht him bifore, þre erles þre barons, & mo be fiue score kynghtes & lordes of touns, Þise were in his wardes, & auht & tuenti mo.
1535. Coverdale, Isa. xxiv. 22. These shalbe coupled together as prisoners be, and shalbe shut in one warde and punished innumerable daies.
1577. Hanmer, Anc. Eccl. Hist., Euseb., II. xii. 15. Thus Iohn, because of Herods suspicion, was sent bounde to Machærous the warde … and there beheaded.
1591. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. ii. 710. Thus Fire, desirous to break forth again From’s cloudy Ward, cannot itself refrain.
1602. Shaks., Ham., II. ii. 252. A goodly [prison], in which there are many Confines, Wards, and Dungeons.
1614. J. Cooke, Greene’s Tu Quoque, I 1 b. Be plaine with him, and turne him out o’ th Ward. Ibid., Hold. If you haue no monie, You’d best remoue into some cheaper Ward. Spend. What Ward should I remoue in? Hold. Why to the Two-pennie Ward.
1675. Burthogge, Causa Dei, 63. Nor is Hell a Sheriffs Ward, in which the Debtor is Imprisoned till he pay his Debt.
1780. J. Howard, State of Prisons, App. 125. The new gaol has separate wards and courts for debtors.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xxxiii. ‘What the devil’s noise is this in the ward?’ he said—‘What man and woman together in the same cell?’
1825. Macaulay, Ess., Milton. Once more, compare the lazar-house in the eleventh book of the Paradise Lost with the last ward of Malebolge in Dante.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Visit to Newgate. The buildings in the prison, or in other words the different wards, form a square.
1894. Lady M. Verney, Verney Mem., III. 150. Tom … could not face the horrors of the common wards [of the Fleet prison].
18. An apartment or division in a hospital or lunatic asylum, containing a certain number of beds, or allocated to a particular class of patients.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas, XI. vii. (1782), IV. 171. I walked through two or three wards full of sick people a-bed.
1758. J. S., trans. Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 207. He was lodged in the Fever Ward.
1842. Dickens, Amer. Notes, vi. The different wards [of the lunatic asylum] might have been cleaner and better ordered.
1850. L. Hunt, Autobiog., I. iii. 102. The wards, or sleeping-rooms [in Christ’s Hospital], are twelve.
1881. Encycl. Brit., XII. 305/2. No cooking should be done in the wards.
b. The patients in a ward, collectively.
1768. Foote, Devil, III. Wks. 1799, II. 277. Yesterday … we bled the west ward, and jalloped the north.
19. An administrative division of a borough or city; originally, a district under the jurisdiction of an alderman; now usually, a district that elects its own councillors to represent it on the City or Town Council. Also, the people of such a district collectively.
In Anglo-L. documents the wards (wardæ) of London are mentioned by that name from the 12th c., sometimes designated by the name of the alderman and sometimes by their locality. An occasional synonym was custodia.
[c. 1130. in 9th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. (1883), 66. In warda Osberti Drinkepinne, terra quam tenuit Wulwinus juvenis.
1226–7. in Madox, Hist. Exch. (1711), 489, note. Tallagium Wardarum Londoniæ, quod colligi debet per Aldermannos subscriptos: Willelmus filius Benedicti re de L l., de Custodia fori. Ibid. (1229–30), 490, note. Willelmus filius Benedicti re de xxxv marcis, de Warda fori.
1275. in Rotuli Hundred. (1812), I. 403. Warda de Bassingeshol. Ibid., 418. Warda Symonis de Hadestok.]
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. Prol. 94. Somme seruen þe kyng and his siluer tellen, In cheker and in chancerye chalengen his dettes Of wardes and wardmotes, weyues and streyues.
1427. in Heath, Grocers’ Comp. (1869), 4. Conyhoope-lane in the Warde of Chepe.
1433. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 425/2. Every Parisshe or Warde, desolate, wastud, [etc.].
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1533), 28 b. The sayde Iohn Mansell chargyd the mayre, that euery Alderman in hys warde shulde vppon the morowe folowyng assemble hys wardemote, [etc.].
1518. Sel. Cases Star Chamb. (Selden Soc.), II. 127. Within V wardes of the same Towne … ther hath byn V Cunstables that is to say in euery ward oon.
1588. W. Smith, Brief Descr. Lond. (MS. Harl. 6363), lf. 13. There is also The Wardmote Enquest, Chosen euery St. Thomas day, in euery ward a quest.
c. 1590. Sir T. More, II. iv. 226. We meete at the Guildehall and there determine That thorow euery warde the watche be clad In armour.
1598–1603. Stow, Surv. (1908), I. 117. The Auncient diuision of this Cittie was into Wardes or Aldermanries.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., II. i. 28. They do you wrong to put you so oft vpon ’t [sc. the office of constable]. Are there not men in your Ward sufficient to serue it?
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, V. xix. 432. London should have as many Artillery Gardens, as it hath Wards.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 6 May 1645. Rome … is divided into 14 Regions or Wards.
1715. Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), II. 72. In the Ward [It. regione] of the Temple of Peace, stood a Colossus.
1733. Swift, On Poetry, 286. In ev’ry Street a City-bard Rules, like an Alderman his Ward.
1751. Engl. Gazetteer, I. s.v. St. Albans, There are four wards here, in each of which are a constable, and two church-wardens.
1824. G. Chalmers, Caledonia, III. vi. 569. By an act of Parliament, in 1800, for regulating the police of Glasgow, that city was divided into wards.
1854. Lowell, Camb. 30 Yrs. Ago, Pr. Wks. 1890, I. 94. I would rather have had that slow, conscientious vote of P.’s alone, than to have been chosen Alderman of the Ward!
1863. Cox, Instit., III. ix. 730. Large boroughs are divided into wards, which elect their councillors severally.
20. In Cumberland, Northumberland and some Scottish counties: One of the administrative districts into which these counties are divided.
1431. Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot., 43/2. Alex. of Cragy serjand of fee wythin the Myddyll Ward of Edynburgh.
1495. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., I. 216. Johne Hepburne of the Est Ward of Edinburgh. Ibid. (1496), 312. The Upper Ward of Clydesdale.
15[?]. Peblis to the Play, 185 (Maitland Fol.). Iohne niksoun of ye nether warde.
1832. Act 2 & 3 Will. IV., c. 64 § 15. Such Northern Division shall include … the several wards of Bamborough, Coquetdale, Glendale, and Morpeth.
1864. G. V. Irving & A. Murray (title), The Upper Ward of Lanarkshire described and delineated.
1872. E. W. Robertson, Hist. Ess., 120. The Ward or Quarter still represents the highest subdivision of the county.
1882. Jamieson, Ward 3. Lanarkshire is divided into Upper, Middle and Lower Wards.
† 21. ‘A part or division of a Forrest’ (Phillips, 1671). App. only Sc. Obs.
1425. Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 1426, 11/1. The offyce off maistrischip off our ward of Yarrow lyand wythin our saide forest.
[1485: see OVER-WARD sb.]
1509. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 285/1. The forest stedis of Cawdanle [etc.] liand within the forest of Ettrik and warde of Twede.
a. 1884. J. Russell, Remin. Yarrow, ix. (1894), 233. About the same time the Forest was divided into three ‘wards,’ that of Tweed, Yarrow, and Ettrick. Each ward had a ranger, who collected the rents [etc.].
b. Sc. ‘A small piece of pasture ground, inclosed on all sides, generally appropriated to young quadrupeds’ (Jam.).
1473. Rental Bk. Cupar-Angus (1879), I. 173. The sade tenandis sal kepe thar self … out of hanyngis, treys, stankis, parkis, medows and wardis.
1657. Melrose Regality Rec. (S.H.S.), I. 146. Cutting and destroying of thair riges of brome that is growand in the wairds and aikers of Melrois.
a. 1670. Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (Bannatyne Club), I. 139. The countrie lords … sent out their horses and destroyed both grass and corn, fed where they pleased in the bishop’s waird.
a. 1673. Mare of Collingtoun, in Watson’s Coll., I. (1706), 49. Within the Ward I might have clos’d thee, Where well thou mightest have repos’d thee, Amang the Laird’s best Fillies.
1785. Calf-ward [see CALF1 7 b].
1799. Rec. Elgin (New Spalding Club), I. 210. A piece of ground full of sandbanks and covered with whins … as a common for the several proprietors taking sand to make up their wairds and cattails.
† 22. ? A store-cupboard or wardrobe. Obs.
a. 1529. Skelton, Agst. Garnesche, iii. 53. Your drapry ȝe ded wante, The warde with yow was skante.
c. 1550. Disc. Common Weal Eng. (1893), 75. Nature semeth to haue layd them [sc. gold and silver] vpp in a farder warde then her other guyftes.
VI. An appliance for guarding.
† 23. The part of the hilt of a sword that protects the hand: = GUARD sb. 16 b. Obs.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 147. The hilts [of Persian swords] are without ward.
24. a. Each of the ridges projecting from the inside plate of a lock, serving to prevent the passage of any key the bit of which is not provided with incisions of corresponding form and size. b. Each of the incisions in the bit of a key, corresponding to the ‘wards’ of the lock. Cf. step-ward, STEP sb. 18.
In untechnical (literary and popular) use these applications are sometimes reversed, the word being taken to denote the cavities of the lock or the solid parts of the key.
a. c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 516/1. Warde, of a lokke, tricatura.
1530. Palsgr., 286/2. Warde of a locke, garde.
1536. MS. Rawl. D. 780, lf. 59. Mending of a lock and makyng new wardes for the gentlemen hushers chambre.
1593. Shaks., Lucr., 303. The lockes betweene her chamber and his will, Ech one by him inforst retires his ward.
1615. R. Cocks, Diary (Hakl. Soc.), I. 10. He thought to have pickt the lock of my money chist the other day, and had so wrong the wardes that I could not open the lock with my key.
1644. Sir E. Dering, Prop. Sacr., c iiij b. As if it were a false ward against the key.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 877. Thus saying, from her side the fatal Key … she took;… then in the key-hole turns Th’ intricate wards.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., ii. 21. There are several Inventions in Locks … in the making and contriving their Wards, or Guards.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XXI. 49. The wards respondent to the key turn round.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., vi. Withdrawing from the wards a ponderous key of about two feet in length.
1893. Patmore, Relig. Poetæ, 47. The key is not the less a key because it will not open a lock the wards of which are filled with stones.
1911. J. Ward, Roman Era in Brit., xiii. 237. To render this difficult or impossible, obstructions or wards were introduced into the case [of the lock], which could not be passed by the bitt unless it had corresponding slits or openings.
fig. 1647. Trapp, Comm. Rom. xiv. 1. (1656), 650. Wring not mens consciences: you may hap to break the wards, if you do.
1840. Landor, Fra Rupert, II. vi. My hand at last [may] Turn in their golden wards the keys of heaven.
1851. Mrs. Browning, Casa Guidi Wind., II. 319. The key, O Tuscans, too well fits the wards! Ye asked for mimes,—these bring you tragedies.
1920. Masefield, Enslaved, etc., 118. The wards of life slipt back and set him free From cares of meat and dress.
b. 1390. Gower, Conf., II. 189. The wardes of the cherche keie Thurgh mishandlinge ben myswreynt.
1655. Marq. Worcester, Cent. Inv., § 44. A Key of a Chamber-door, which … hath its Wards and Rose-pipe but Paper-thick.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., ii. 26. File the wards or slits in the Bit with thin files.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 301/2. The Wards are all the nicks in the Bite [of the Key].
c. 1705. Pope, Jan. & May, 510. She took the wards in wax before the fire, And gave th’ impression to the trusty squire.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxiv. The incidents of a narrative of this kind must be adapted to each other, as the wards of a key must tally accurately with those of the lock to which it belongs.
1853. Dickens, Bleak Ho., xlii. ‘Oh! I knew that, did I?’ says Mr. Tulkinghorn, examining the wards of the key.
1864. Boutell, Her. Hist. & Pop., xxi. (ed. 3), 359. Two keys, in saltire, wards towards the base, or.
c. transf. Applied to mechanical contrivances resembling the wards of a lock or key.
1599. T. M[oufet], Silkwormes, 35. [To an ‘artificial flea’:] Thy cogs, thy wardes, thy laths, how didst thou lay.
1852. Seidel, Organ, 40. Whilst the upper part is sinking the wards open and let the wind pass from the bellows into the principal trunk.
VII. 25. attrib. and Comb.: a. Simple attrib. (sense 19), ward-alderman, boss (U.S.), meeting, politics, pump, statesman, system; (sense 18), ward-keeper, matron, nurse, table, work; (sense 24) ward-hole, -plate.
1899. Athenæum, 21 Oct., 548/3. London, however, was destined to be ruled … by a council of mayor and *ward-aldermen.
1908. T. Roosevelt, in Sat. Rev., 8 Feb., 163/2. The blackmailing *ward-boss, the ballot-box stuffer,… all alike work at the same web of corruption and should be abhorred by honest men..
1911. J. Ward, Roman Era in Brit., xiii. 237. Many of these keys have ‘island’ *ward-holes.
1836. J. M. Gully, Magendie’s Formul. (ed. 2), 127. Each *ward-keeper of hospitals should be provided with a bottle of chlorine water.
1886. Daily News, 26 March, 5/2. Family prayers are conducted by the *ward-matron, sister, or nurse.
1813. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 229. A general call of *ward-meetings by their wardens on the same day through the State.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 414. The others [i.e., patients] were easily controlled by the *ward nurses.
1883. Pitt-Rivers, Primitive Locks & Keys, 24. A modern English latch-key of similar form, furnished with a *ward-plate and used for raising a common latch.
1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, V. iv. Two of the Rigbyites met in the market-place…. ‘Well, how goes it?’ said one. ‘I have been the rounds. The blunts going like the *ward-pump.’
1885. Frederick D. Storey, in Atlantic Monthly, April, 467/1. These roadways, ungraded, unsewered, and unpaved, the *ward statesman regards with tender solicitude as furnishing a large and lucrative field of operations in the line of contracts and ‘sessments.’
1857. J. T. Smith, Parish, ii. (ed. 2), 61. It is the adoption of Townships, or the adaptation of the *Ward system, that is really needed in such cases.
1888. Hon. Morten, Hospital Life, 2. *Ward work commences at seven with sweeping, dusting, making beds.
b. Special comb.: † ward-book, ? a register of admissions to a hospital; ward-dyke, a wall enclosing or bounding a ward (sense 21 b); also, a defensive dyke against water; ward-fire Orkney and Shetland, a beacon-fire [ON. varða cairn: cf. WARD-HILL]; † ward-guard Sc., a protective covering or receptacle for clothes; ward-heeler U.S. (see quot. 1890; cf. HEELER 5); wardland Sc., land held ‘in ward’ (see WARD-HOLDING); ward-like adv., after the manner of a ward; ward(s)maid, a maidservant who performs the menial offices of a hospital ward; † ward marriage (see MARRIAGE 5), in Scots feudal law, the right in wardholding arising to the ward superior on the marriage of the vassal’s heir or on his becoming marriageable; wardmaster (a) Dutch Hist. (rendering Du. wijkmeester), an alderman or administrator of a city ward; (b) the master or superintendent of a hospital ward; † ward-silver, a payment to the lord in commutation of military service; † ward-staff (see quot. 1610); ward-vassal, in Scots feudal law, a vassal holding land ‘in ward’ (see WARD-HOLDING); † ward-ware, ? ‘wardrobe stuff,’ articles of clothing; ward-woman arch., a tirewoman, a woman in charge of her mistress’s wardrobe; † ward-word, a ‘word’ of defence; a reply to an attack or ‘watch-word’ of an opponent. Also WARD-CORN, WARD-FEE, WARD-HILL, etc.
1557. Order of Hospitalls, G ij b. That no Child be receved by them, before the name of the same childe be entred into the *Ward-booke.
1561. in Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 1585, 256/2. Fra the said croft north … to the brig of Balgonie, ewin to the *ward-dyk of the Brig-feildis now pertening to Alex. Paip. Ibid. (1602), 474/1. Ane merchestane infixit in the waird-dyke standand beneth the place of Kirktounhill.
1854. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XV. I. 19. Crests, cradges, and ward-dykes constructed to hold off fen-waters from inned grounds.
1859. D. Balfour, Oppress. Orkney & Zetl., Introd. p. xxxi. Nothing short of actual invasion entitled the Jarl to call them to arms by the *Ward-fire.
1551. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., X. 29. Item, for ane *wardegard to hir, iij li. xs. Ibid. (1552), 70. Item, vj elnis bukcrame to be wardegardis to hir and to hir kepar Effame … xxiiij s.
1890. Q. Rev., July, 265. The lowest grade [of politician] is the *‘ward-heeler,’ or hanger-on of the political head of the city ward in which he resides.
1907. Times, 23 Jan., 6/2. [San Francisco] Bar-room politicians, roughs, ward-heelers, bullies, they form the most extraordinary assortment of officials ever seen in a great city.
1502. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 115/1. The proffitt of the said *warde landis quhil the are recover sesing thairof.
1581. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), III. 230/1. Anent the taxatioun of wardlandis.
a. 1659. Bp. Brownrig, Serm. (1674), I. i. 11. He that purchases but one foot of Ward-land, makes all his Estate lyable to the King.
1684. Sir G. Mackenzie, Inst. Laws Scot., II. v. (1694), 76. If the Vassal sells or dispones the half of his Ward-Lands to any except his appearand Heir.
1689. E. Howard, Caroloiades, 197. O’re which [army], tho Fairfax, Generall we finde, His Power to Cromwell *ward-like was design’d.
1888. Hon. Morten, Hospital Life, 68. The *ward-maid was out.
1901. Daily Chron., 1 May, 1/7. Hartley Wintney Union. Wanted a wardsmaid.
1909. Englishwoman, April, 240. In the smaller infirmaries, there are often wardmaids, with no training, who are expected to do nurses’ work.
1473. Rolls of Parlt., VI. 72/2. With the Londes and Tenementes and other Profittes, and Mariage, or *Ward mariage of the same heire or heires.
1747. Act 20 Geo. II., c. 50 § 1. That the Tenure of Lands … in Scotland by Ward Holding … and the Casualties consequent upon the same by Ward Marriage and Recognition, be taken away.
1855. Motley, Dutch Rep., II. vii. I. 560. John Van Immerzeel, Margrave of Antwerp, was then holding communication with the senate, and awaiting the arrival of the *ward-masters.
1883. Fortn. Rev., July, 126. The wardmasters, nurses, and attendants in the hospitals.
1314–5. Rolls of Parlt., I. 318/1. De diversis redditibus annuatim Regi debitis, qui vocantur Hydag’ et *Wardselfur’.
1418[?]. in Essex Rev. (1904), XIII. 133. [Paying yearly 18s. as] ‘ward-silver’ [in lieu of all services].
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 440. Lambourn Manour, which is held by service of the Wardstaffe, vz. to carrie a load of strawe in a Carte with sixe horses, two ropes, two men in harnesse to watch the said *Ward-staffe when it is brought to the towne of Aibridg, &c.
1681. Stair, Instit., I. 422. Recognition was found not excluded or burdened by Inhibition against the *Ward-vassal.
a. 1768. [see WARD-FEE].
1598. Marston, Sco. Villanie, I. ii. C 2. Tail’d and retail’d, till to the pedlers packe, The fourth-hand *ward-ware comes, alack, alack.
1831. Scott, Ct. Robt., I. iv. How long she had passed that critical period, was a secret to all but the trusted *ward-women of the purple chamber.
1599. N. D. [R. Parsons] (title), A Temperate *Ward-Word, to the Turbulent and Seditious Wach-word of Sir Francis Hastinges knight.
1603. Harsnet, Popish Impost., 53. The priests had their ward-word ready.
1716. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., III. 51. And disperse once more from another Babel of one another’s Catchpoling Watch-words without any precautionary Ward-words.
