dial. (and obs. arch.) Also 6 wymble. [app. a northern word taken up by Spenser; recorded in mod. dial. use from Yorkshire and Lancashire. The immediate source is unknown. (Scand. words of appropriate form, e.g., Norw. vimmel giddy, confused, have not the required sense.)] Active, nimble.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., March, 91. He was so wimble, and so wight [gloss Quicke and deliuer].
1579. E. Hake, Newes out of Powles (1872), B j. I spyde a pretie wymble lad.
1602. Marston, Ant. & Mel., III. Wks. 1856, I. 40. Buckle thy spirits up, put all thy wits In wimble action.
1614. J. Davies (Heref.), Sheph. Pipe, Ecl., G 5. Then nought can be atchieu’d with witty shewes, Sith griefe of Elde accloyen wimble wit.
1748–58. Mendez, Sqr. Dames, I. I. xxvii. Man throws the wimble bait, and greedy woman bites.
Hence † Wimbly adv., nimbly.
1594. W. Percy, Coelia (1877), 9. Upon my foot, her tender foot alighted, With that she pluckt it off full wimbely.
