Obs. Also 4–5 watt. [Of obscure origin: not connected with WIGHT sb.] A person; esp. a great wat.

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1399.  Langl., Rich. Redeles, IV. 49. We beth … y-sent ffro þe shiris to shewe what hem greueth,… And to graunte of her gold to þe greit wattis By no manere wronge way.

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c. 1412.  Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 2816. If so be þat oon of þe grete wattes A dede do, which þat a-geyn þe lawe is, No thyng at al he punysshid for þat is.

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c. 1450.  Cov. Myst. (1841), 294. Ye xal fynde hym a strawnge watt.

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c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., xx. 10. Ye wote not wel, I weyn, what wat is common to the towne.

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c. 1500.  Medwall, Nature (Brandl), 821. What man ys that; Fathers soule, thys ys some great wat.

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