Obs. Forms: 1 wanian, 3 wanenn (Ormin), wony, -ie, wone, 3–4 wane. [OE. wánian = OFris. wênia, MLG. wênen, OHG. weinôn (MHG., G. weinen), ON. veina:—OTeut. *wainōjan, f. wai- WOE.]
1. trans. To bewail, bemoan.
Beowulf, 787. Þara þe … ʓehyrdon … sar waniʓean hellehæfton.
a. 900. Cynewulf, Juliana, 538. Siðfæt scofian, sar cwanian, wyrd wanian.
c. 1205. Lay., 25847. Þa fond he þer ane quene … wanede hire siðes þæt heo wæs on liues.
2. intr. To lament, moan. Also transf.
a. 900. Cynewulf, Crist, 992. Beornas gretað, wepað wanende werʓum stefnum.
c. 1200. Ormin, 5653. Þe þridde seollþe doþ þe mann wepenn wiþþ skill & wanenn … forr hiss aȝhenn sinne.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 975. Solde euch mon wonie and grede, Riȝt suich hi weren unlede.
c. 1275. Lay., 25827. Þo ihorde he … weape and wony [c. 1205 weinen] reuliche beares.
c. 1275. XI Pains of Hell, 187, in O. E. Misc., 152. Heo woneþ and groneþ day and nyht.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 12196 (Fairf.). I likkin ham to a brasin belle Þat … wanis forþ wiþ-out resoun.
