a. Also 56 wannyssh(e, 6 -yshe, wanishe, 7 -ish. [f. WAN a. + -ISH.] Somewhat wan; somewhat pale, dull, lusterless, or livid.
a. 1412[?]. Lydg., Two Merchants, 326. His vryne was ful thynne and wannyssh for to see.
1545. Raynalde, Byrth Mankynde, 122. The which causethe the eye sight to waxe wannysshe or tawnye.
a. 1547. Surrey, Poems, This name, 13. And eke the wanishe moone whiche sheenes by night also.
1585. Higins, Junius Nomencl., 438/2. With blacke wannish spots.
1594. R. C[arew], Tasso (1881), 73. He that graund foe was aie to human kind, His wannish eyes [i lividi occhi] doth on the Christians cast.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XXI. xxi. II. 108. The day Lillie Hemerocalles, hath leaves of a pale and wannish greene colour.
1630. Milton, Passion, 35. The leaves should all be black wheron I write, And letters where my tears have washt a wannish white.
1784. Cowper, Task, I. 309. Paler some, And of a wannish gray.
1820. Keats, Lamia, I. 57. Upon her crest she wore a wannish fire.
1855. Tennyson, Maud, I. vi. i. No sun, but a wannish glare In fold upon fold of hueless cloud.