v. Obs. [OE. towendan, f. TO-2 + wendan to turn, WEND.]
1. trans. To turn over; to overthrow, demolish; to turn upside down, disturb greatly.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., VI. x. § 1. Hi woldon towendon ealle þa ʓesetnessa & ealle þa ʓebodu þe Domitianus hæfde ær ʓeset.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 46. We ʓehyrdon … þæt Crist towyrpð þas stowe, and towent ða ʓesetnysse ðe us Moyses tæhte.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 191. Mid þusendfeld wrenches þe deuel to-wendeð þe herte.
c. 1205. Lay., 27062. Þæ astalden þer flem … Þa rugges to-wenden [c. 1275 Þo torne … hii þe rugges].
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 324. A wummon þet haueð forloren hir nelde [= needle] oðer a sutare his el, he secheð hine anonriht, & to-went euerich strea uort he beo ifunden.
2. intr. a. To turn in different directions, disperse, separate. b. To go to pieces, break asunder; also fig.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 75. Þe twelue apostles … er heo to-wenden in to al þis middelerd.
c. 1205. Lay., 30235. Duglas þa water wes ihaten Þer heo tou-wenden.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Compl. Mars, 102. His myghty spere as he was wont to fyght He shaketh so that almost it to-wonde Ful hevy was he to walken ouer londe.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2568. Ogier Denys … smot to sire Mahound Þat al to pieces he to-wond & ful doun on þe ground.
a. 1400. Sir Beues (E.), 1645 + 27. He smoot þe dore vp wiþ hys ffoot, Þat þe dore al towond.
