Wasshynge

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. An archaic spelling of the act of cleaning something by applying water, often with soap, to remove dirt
2. Middle English form meaning the cleansing of a person, object or garment with water and soap to remove dirt
3. Old spelling referring to the process of rinsing or scrubbing something with water to make it clean

Etymology: "Wasshynge" is a Middle English spelling of "washing," the verbal form of "wash" with the suffix "-ing." In the period's manuscripts the doubled "ss," the "y," and the final "e" were all spelling choices, with no change in meaning. The verb itself comes from Old English "wascan," and the "sh" sound in modern "wash" developed from the Old English "sc" spelling, which was pronounced differently at the time. The "-ing" ending was used in Old English to form verbal nouns, so "washing" could name the act of cleaning or the laundry itself. Middle English writers used this spelling freely, which is why the same word appears in many shapes before spelling was standardized.