Breydynge

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. An archaic term for the quick drawing or pulling out of something, such as a sword from its sheath ; the act of interlacing strands into a braid or plait
2. Old English usage meaning a swift pulling or drawing motion ; the process of twisting several strands together to form a braided cord or hair
3. A Middle English term describing a rapid drawing out of a blade ; the craft of plaiting three or more strands into one interwoven length

Etymology: Middle English "breiden" meant to jerk, pull, or draw out quickly, and in medieval texts it often described snatching a sword from its sheath. "Breydynge" is a form of that verb, used as a participle or verbal noun for the act of drawing a blade swiftly. The verb descends from Old English "bregdan," which covered sudden motion, brandishing, and weaving. Two modern words keep traces of that older range. "Braid" is the same verb, which narrowed to "plait" in Middle English, while the "g" dropped out of its pronunciation. "Upbraid" comes from Old English "upbregdan," literally "to draw up against," which came to mean reproaching someone.