Obs. In 4–5 vm-, 6 Sc. wn-; 4 vmgong. [ME. umgang (see UM- and GANG sb.1), = ON. umgangr (Norw. um-, MSw. um-, omgang, Sw. omgång, Da. omgang), WFris. omgong, NFris. omgang, ámgung, MDu. omme-, omganc (Du. omgang), MLG. umb(e)-, ummegank, OHG. umbiganc (MHG. umbe-, umbganc, G. umgang), OE. ymb(e)gang.]
1. The act of going round; the distance covered in this way; circuit, circumference.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter xvii. 13. And he set mirkenes his lurking lang, His telde to be in his vmgange, Mirke watres þat war of hewe.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 9192. In his [Josiah’s] time was Fordon þe tune of niniue, Þat was of vmgang thre iorne.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, xi. 9. Vs þou kepis, bot wickid men gas in vmgange.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxi. 97. It es a grete ile and a faire; and þe vmgang þeroff es nere a thowsand myle.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 56. [Carthage] had sexty thousand pass about the vmgang [printed vin-] of the toune.
1505. Charters Crosraguel Abbey (1886), I. 63. Becaus the said hous, smedy, orchard, and yarde ar within the yettis and umgang and wallis of the said abbay.
2. A turn or spell of work. rare–1.
1538. Aberdeen Reg., XVI. (Jam.). For the parting of the said maisteris fysche thre tymmez on ane wngang, quhar thai suld be twa tymmez partit on ane haill day.
So † Umganging vbl. sb., going round. Obs.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter cxii. 3. By þe vmgangynge of þe sone … he signyfyes þe warld.
