Obs. In 1 wreþian, wreðian (wræð-), 3 wreoðien. [OE. wreðian (also a-, ʓe-, under-wreðian), f. wraðu support, etc., = OS. wređian, giwređian.]

1

  1.  trans. To prop or hold up; to support or sustain. Also in fig. context. (Only OE.)

2

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., xxi. Heora ælc [sc. creature] winð wið oðer, & þeah wræðeð oðer, þæt hie ne moton toslupan.

3

c. 890.  Wærferth, trans. Gregory’s Dial., 175. Wreþiende [L. sustenans] þa tydran limu betwyh his ʓingrena handum.

4

a. 1000.  Andreas, 523 (Gr.). Se ðe rodor ahof & ʓefæstnode folmum sinum, worhte & wreðede.

5

  2.  refl. To support (oneself) by leaning upon another; = LEAN v.1 2 b. Also fig.

6

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 252. Ȝif þet heo wergeð, euerichon wreoðeð him bi oðer.

7

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 857. Alle þeos writeres writes Þet ȝe wreoðið ow on.

8

  3.  intr. To rely on, depend upon, a person.

9

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 142. Þet heo owun to beon of so holi liue þet … al Cristene uolc leonie & wreoðie upon ham.

10

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 1327. We ne cunnen … warpen na word aȝein to weorrin ne to wreððen him þet ha wreoðeð on.

11