Obs. Forms: 1 wician, wikian, 3 wikie(n, 3–4 wick, 4 wike, wyk. [OE. wícian, f. wíc WICK sb.2] intr. To take up one’s abode; to encamp; to lodge, dwell.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xli. 304. Ðu cans eal ðis westen, & wasð hwær we wician [L. castra ponere] maʓon.
a. 1000. Colloq. Ælfric, in Wr.-Wülcker, 99. Eallum us leofre ys wikian [L. hospitari] mid þe yrþlincge þonne mid þe.
c. 1205. Lay., 18102. Wikien ȝe scullen here.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 25232. Þat in þis wreche werld we wike.
b. trans. To pitch (a tent).
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 12512. His pauilons, his penceles, þykke Nought fer fro þenne had þey don wyk.
Hence † Wicking vbl. sb.1, lodging, dwelling.
c. 1205. Lay., 30453. He underfeng Cadwadlan:… and ȝaf him wickinge [c. 1275 wikeninge] ȝeond Irlonde. Ibid., 31861. He … nom þe wickinge mid Alaine þan kinge.
