wappenshaw

American  

[wop-uhn-shaw, wap-] / ˈwɒp ənˌʃɔ, ˈwæp- /

Often wappenshawing

noun

1. a periodic muster or review of troops or persons under arms, formerly held in certain districts of Scotland to satisfy military chiefs that their men were properly armed and faithful to the local lord or chieftain.

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wappenshaw British  

/ ˈwɒp-, ˈwæpənʃɔː /

noun

1. (formerly) a muster of men in a particular area in Scotland to show that they were properly armed

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Etymology

Origin of wappenshaw

1495–1505; short for wappenshawing (Scots), equivalent to wappen ( Old English wǣpna, genitive plural of wǣp ( e ) n weapon ) + shawing showing ( show, -ing ¹ ); compare Dutch wapenschouwing

Example Sentences

For as the wappenshaw was to be of three days' duration in all its nobler parts, a wilderness of tents had already begun to arise under the scattered white thorns of the great Boreland Croft which stretched up from the river.

From Project Gutenberg

Presently, soon after the arrival of the cavalcade, the great wappenshaw was set in array, and forming up company by company the long double line extended as far as the eye could reach from north to south along the side of the broad and sluggish-moving river.

From Project Gutenberg

The sports of the first day of the great wappenshaw were over.

From Project Gutenberg

This night of the wappenshaw the lofty grey walls were hung with gaily coloured tapestries draped from the overhanging gallery of wood which ran round the top of the castle.

From Project Gutenberg

"And I also won the swording prize at the last wappenshaw on the moot hill of Urr," said Sholto, taking courage, and being resolved that if his fortune stood not now on tiptoe, it should not be on account of any superfluity of modesty on his own part.

From Project Gutenberg