north. dial. [f. BRIDE sb.1 + WAIN wagon.] The wain or wagon on which a bride’s ‘providing’ (surmounted by the spinning-wheel adorned with blue ribbons) used to be sent to her new home; also, a carved chest in which the providing was put, when of smaller compass; the contribution made to this by friends and neighbors, the wedding presents; the occasion on which these are given, a bidding wedding.
1807. Stagg, Poems, 2. A youthfu’ pair, By frugal thrift exceyted, Wad hev a brydewain, an’ of course the country roun’ inveyted.
1855. Whitby Gloss., Bride-wain, a carriage loaded with household goods, travelling from the bride’s father’s to the bridegroom’s house.
1873. Spectator, 23 Aug., 1069/2. One bit of furniture peculiar … to this district [Whitby]—the ‘bride wain,’ or chest for wedding-clothes.
1875. Lanc. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Bride-wain, a bidden wedding.
1884. Mary Linskill, in Gd. Words, 10/2. The toilet-service was ranged ornamentally—most of the things upside down—on a carved oak bridewain in the corner.
