wanion

• wannion, wenion

Alteration of earlier waniand, from Middle English waniand (“waning”), present participle of wanien (“to wane”) (from the phrase "in the waniand [moon]", i.e. in the time of the waning moon, in an unlucky period).

wanion (plural wanions)

1. (obsolete) The wane of the moon.
2. (obsolete) Curse.
   • 1617, John Davies, “It’s a mad world my Maisters. And a merry world my Mistrisses” in Wits Bedlam, London,

     S’foote what are these that pynch me? Goblins?

     A wanion on the Elues for me […]

3. (obsolete) Vengeance (in the phrases in a wanion, with a wanion, “with a vengeance”).
   • 1583, Philip Stubbs, The Anatomie of Abuses, London: Richard Jones, “A fearfull Iudgement of GOD, shewed at the Theaters,”

     And yet notwithstanding we must haue these goodly pageants played vpon the sabaoth day (in a wanion) because there are no mo daies in the week.

   • 1606, Thomas Heywood, The Second Part of, If You Know Not Me, You Know No Bodie, London: Nathaniell Butter, Act I, Scene 1,

     By the masse I thinke your master had more need knock you about the eares, for playing the Iackes with him, ther’s your ten pounds, tell it out with a wanion, and take it for your pains.

   • c. 1608, William Shakespeare, Pericles, Prince of Tyre Act II, Scene 1,

     Look how thou stirrest now! come away, or I’ll fetch thee with a wanion.

   • 1672, John Phillips, Maronides, or, Virgil travestie, London: Nathanael Brooks, Book 5, p. 41,

     For ill advised of a rock,

     The ship with such a wannion strook;

• Winona