wrength
English edit
Etymology edit
Probably originally a nonce formation from wrong + -th by analogy with strong ~ strength and long ~ length; compare Middle English wrengthe (“crookedness, distortion”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
wrength (uncountable)
- (rare and now nonstandard) The state or condition of being wrong; wrongness; wrongfulness.
- 1823, Ringan Gilhaize, The covenanters, by the author of Annals of the parish:
- Those who would exalt themselves by abetting the strength of the Godless, and the wrength of the oppressors.
- 1905, Juvenile Nonfiction:
- [...] Wrong is short-lived, and right must vanquish at length, If, scorning the wrong, we do others no wrength.
- 2012, Amber McRee Turner, Sway:
- "Dad," I said, "this isn't an in-between, is it?" "This isn't an in-between," He said. "Honestly, Cass, I'm at a loss for what to call this." "I know exactly what to call it," I said. "Wrength." "Wrength?" "Wrongness." In fact, the way I saw it, Mom had invented a whole new level of wrongness. A bad so bad that wrength might not even be capable of describing it. [...]"
- 2022, Jaymin Shah, Life Travel, page 12:
- This world is full of wrength,
Nothing will be done till we stand up to it upto[sic]
its maximum length […]
Related terms edit
Scots edit
Etymology edit
1823, from wrang, wrong (“wrong”), formed on analogy with strength (from strong), length (from long) by R. Gilhaize Galt,[1] or from Middle English wrengðe (“wrongfulness”). More at wrong.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
wrength (plural wrengths)
Related terms edit
References edit
- William Graham, The Scots Word Book, "injustice", 1980.
- Notes:
- ^ Dictionary of the Scots Language, "wrength".