adv. (also as two words). Obs. or rare arch. Also 4 wyden where. [f. WIDE (WIDEN) adv. + WHERE adv. Cf. ON. víðast hvar in most places, mostly.] In or to various places, over a wide region, widely, far and wide; in or to a distant place, far away.
a. 1122. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.). Þæræfter comen feale tacne widehwear on Englaland.
c. 1200. Ormin, 8943. Witt hafenn sohht te widewhar icc & ti faderr baþe.
13[?]. Northern Passion (1913), I. 1242 b. As pilate stod be him thore His þouht was ful wide whore.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. IX. 53. Þus I wente wyden where [v.rr. wyde where, wide whare] Dowel to seche.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, viii. (Philepus), 5. Quhene he had … goddis worde prechit wyd-quhare.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 38. In Surrye whilom dwelte a compaignye Of chapmen … That wyde where senten hir spicerye.
c. 1450. Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.), 98. The feith of oure lord crist spredde wydewhere day be day.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, IV. ii. 340. My name is sir kay the seneschal that wyde where is knowen.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. iii. 5. The fame thairof walkis full couth Our all the citeis of Italy wydequhair.
16[?]. Sir Lambewell, 6, in Percy Folio MS. (1867), I. 144. With him he had many an heire As he had else many a whide where; Of his round table they were Knights all.
1906. C. M. Doughty, in Academy, 5 May, 425/2. Fair champaign Which flower of broom gilds widewhere.
