Obs. Forms: 1 wiʓ, 3 wiȝ, wyȝ, wi. [OE. wíʓ str. n. = OFris. wîch, OS. wîg (MLG. wîch), OHG., MHG. wîc, ON. víg:—OTeut. *wīgom, f. pre-Teut. weig- (: waig-: wig-) to fight:—Indo-Eur. wīk- to be strong.
The form weig- is represented by OE. wíʓan to fight, OS., OFris. wîgand, OHG. wîgant pr. pple. used as sb. warrior, ON. vígr brave in war, neut. vígt WIGHT a.; waig- by OE. wǽʓan, OHG. weigen (: *waigjan) to afflict, ON. veig strength, strong drink, drinking glass (cf. OS. wêgi, OE. wǽge cup); wig- by OE. wiga warrior, WY, Goth. wigana dat. sing., waihjô battle. The Indo-Eur. wīk- is represented by L. vincere, perf. t. vīcī to conquer, OIr. fichim to fight.]
Battle, conflict; transf. a military force or troop. Also attrib. as in wi-ax, a battle-axe.
Beowulf, 1080. Wiʓ ealle fornam Finnes þeʓnas nemne feaum anum.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., 3. Hu him ða speow æʓðer ʓe mid wiʓe ʓe mid wisdome.
c. 1205. Lay., 1567. Þe bearn … igrap … ana wiæx swiðe stronge. Ibid., 25365. Þer com mid muchle wiȝe [c. 1275 wyȝe] Irtac king of Turckie.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 1854. Emor his fader,… And his burȝe-folc fellen in wi.
