Obs. [Cf. WE int.] An exclamation used to introduce an anxious question or a statement of something regrettable.
a. 1200. Moral Ode, 90. He þurþ-sicheþ uches monnes þonc: wi hwat scal us to rede? Ibid., 106. Wi hwi weren ho biȝeten to hwon weren ho iborene het sculen bon to deþe idemet? Ibid. (c. 1200), 104 (Trin. Coll. MS.). Wi swo fele beð icleped, swo fewe beð icorene.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3752. ‘Consail me, fader, how to liue.’ ‘Wi, quatkin consail mai i þe giue? Ibid., 5013. ‘Him sal deliuer your yongeist child.’ ‘Wi how sal beniamin come þare?’ Ibid., 23845. Wi qui þan mak we us sa kene?
