wheen

[ hween, ween ]

adjective

1. few.

noun

1. a few persons or things.

wheen

/ wiːn; hwiːn /

determiner

1. few; some
2. preceded by a
   1. a small number of
   2. a good number of
   3. ( as pronoun; functioning as plural )

      a wheen of years

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheen¹

1325–75; Middle English (north) quheyn, Old English hwēne, instrumental case of hwōn few, a few

Word History and Origins

Origin of wheen¹

Old English hwēne, instrumental of hwōn few, a few

Example Sentences

I'm saying—my lads—will ye gie ower this weary warrk a wee whilee and sheer a wheen sheep to me?

From Project Gutenberg

I've written books myself, and who reads them but a wheen of graybeards, and they drowsing by the fire?

From Project Gutenberg

A similar tendency is in the sound of whine, which in Munster is always made wheen: 'What's that poor child wheening for?'

From Project Gutenberg

Wheen; a small number, a small quantity:—'I was working for a wheen o' days': 'I'll eat a wheen of these gooseberries.'

From Project Gutenberg

Weel, sir, there's a guid wheen veesitors in Inverness the noo: so sit whaur ye can see yer umbrella!

From Project Gutenberg