Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Wend"

Episode Release Date: March 9, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski
Author: Merriam-Webster

Introduction

In the March 9th episode of Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" podcast, host Peter Sokolowski delves into the rich and nuanced verb "wend." This literary term, though not commonly used in everyday conversation, carries a depth of meaning and historical significance that makes it a fascinating addition to one's vocabulary.

Exploring the Word: "Wend"

Definition and Usage

At [00:42], Peter Sokolowski introduces "wend" as a verb with a specific literary connotation:

"Wend is a verb. It's a literary word that means to move slowly from one place to another, usually by winding or indirect course."

He further clarifies:

"Wending is traveling or proceeding on one's way in such a manner."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:42]

Contextual Examples

To illustrate its usage, Sokolowski provides a sentence from Miriam Darlington's Otter Country In Search of the Wild Otter:

"They wend their way further down the waterway before insinuating themselves back into the dark."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:50]

Additionally, he references Robert Frost's poem "Reluctance," showcasing the word in a poetic setting:

"These out through the fields and woods and over the walls I have wended."
— Peter Sokolowski [01:20]

Evolution of Meaning

Sokolowski discusses the evolution of "wend" since its publication in Frost's 1913 poem:

"By the time of the poem's publication in 1913, many other senses of wend had wended their way into and out of popular English usage, including to change direction, to change someone's mind, to transform into something else, and to turn a ship's head in tacking."
— Peter Sokolowski [01:35]

Etymology and Linguistic Roots

Delving into the origins of "wend," Sokolowski traces its lineage back to Old English:

"In tacking. All of that turning is linked to the word's Old English ancestor, wendan, which shares roots with the Old English verb windan, meaning to twist."
— Peter Sokolowski [01:50]

He draws connections to related terms:

"'Windan' is also the ancestor of the English verb 'wind,' as in the river winds through the valley."
— Peter Sokolowski [02:00]

Moreover, Sokolowski highlights an intriguing linguistic evolution:

"'Wend' is also to thank for lending the English verb 'go,' its past tense form, 'went,' as a past tense form of 'wend.' 'Went' has long since been superseded by 'wended.'"
— Peter Sokolowski [02:15]

Notable Insights

The episode emphasizes the flexibility and historical depth of "wend," illustrating how its meanings have branched out over time while maintaining a core association with movement and direction. Sokolowski's exploration underscores the beauty of English's evolving vocabulary and the importance of understanding word origins to fully grasp their present-day usage.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Peter Sokolowski reinforces the educational mission of Merriam-Webster:

"With your word of the day."
— Peter Sokolowski [02:30]

Ellen Pompeo adds a final note, directing listeners to Merriam-Webster's resources:

"Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending. Word lookups."
— Ellen Pompeo [02:39]

Key Takeaways

• "Wend" is a versatile, literary verb meaning to move slowly or proceed along an indirect path.
• The word has evolved to encompass various senses, including changing direction and transforming.
• Etymology: Originates from Old English wendan, related to windan ("to twist"), and is linked to the verb "wind."
• The past tense "went" evolved from "wend" but has been largely supplanted by "wended."

This episode of Merriam-Webster's "Word of the Day" not only enriches listeners' vocabularies but also provides a window into the historical and linguistic journeys that shape our language today.