Obs. exc. arch. Forms: 6 wanian, wenyon, 6–7 wennion, 7 wannian, wenian, -on, 6– wanion, wannion. An altered form of WANIAND used in certain formulas of asseveration or imprecation. a. In a wanion, later with a wanion, with a plague, with a vengeance. Also with a wild wanion.
1549. Latimer, 2nd Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 63. Was not this a good prelate? he should haue bene at home a preachynge in hys Dioces in a wanian.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., P vj. We must have these goodly pageants played upon the sabaoth day (in a wanion) because there are no mo daies in a week.
1607. R. C[arew], trans. Estienne’s World Wond., I. xxxix. 341. He … cryed aloud, Come downe in a wannian.
1567. Harman, Caveat, 62. Hee went with a wannion to his mothers chamber.
a. 1568. Jacob & Esau, I. i. A ij. Up with a wilde wenyon, how long wilt thou lie?
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, H 4 b. Take it, with a wennion, altogether, if you will have it.
1607. Shaks., Per., II. i. 17. Come away, or Ile fetch’th with a wanion.
1663. Cowley, Cutter Coleman-St., IV. iv. Boys must not have their meanings, Colonel: Let him mean what I mean with a Wennion.
1694. Motteux, Rabelais, IV. xlvii. Come out with a vengeance, come out with a wannion.
1826. Scott, Woodst., iv. He would have battered the presbyterian spirit out of him with a wanion.
1861. Reade, Cloister & H., xxxvii. Let him go with a wanion.
b. A (wild) wanion on, with a wanion to, may a curse or plague light on (a person, etc.).
c. 1570[?]. Buggbears, IV. iv. 11. Now a wild wannion on it.
1605. Chapman, etc., Eastw. Hoe, III. ii. D 2. Marie hang you: Westward with a wanion te ’yee.
1624. Davenport, City Nightcap, IV. (1661), 36. Is here any work for Grace, with a wannion to her?
1663. Dryden, Wild Gallant, III. i. I’ll teach you to take place of Tradesmens Wives with a wannion to you.
1822. Scott, Peveril, vi. A d—d Presbyterian scoundrel,… whom I hope to fetch down from his perch presently, with a wannion to him!
