Obs. [OE. hwearf (poet., alliterating on w), corresp. to OS. hwarf crowd, MLG. warf, werf circle, assembly sitting in a circle, court of justice, OHG. warb (MHG. warp, warf): cf. prec.] A crowd, assembly.
In the first quot. from Laȝamon’s Brut perh. = change (OE. hwearf: cf. OFris. hwarf, werf, OHG. warba, MHG. warbe (with numerals) time(s, (M)LG. werf, warf, (-ve) turn, time; cf. WHARVE v.).
a. 1000. Guthlac, 234. Beorʓ ymbstodan hwearfum wræcmæcgas.
c. 1205. Lay., 2070. Þus is þis eitlond igon from honde to hond, þet alle þa burhȝes þe Brutus iwrohte … beoð swiðe afelled þurh warf of þon folke. Ibid., 17485. Þider com Aurilie … & al his folc mid him. Whiten-sunendæie he þer warf makede [Wace Altre gent assés assambla Feste tint].
