1596. Shakspeare, Merry Wives, iv. 5. 104. If my wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would repent. Ibid. (1598), 2 Henry IV., i. 2. Is not your voice broken, your wind short?
1859. Matsell, Vocab., 'Hundred Stretches.' Some rubbed to wit had napped a winder.
1860. Holmes, Professor, ii. How they spar for wind, instead of hitting from the shoulder.
d.1870. Dickens [Century]. He pats him and pokes him in divers parts of the body, but particularly in that part which the science of self-defence would call his wind.
Phrases. To take wind = to be known, to transpire; to sail near (or close to) the wind = (1) to take every risk, and (2) to border on malpractice; to raise the wind = to borrow (or procure) money: usually by shift, flying a kite (q.v.), or bills of accommodation; to go down the wind = to decay; to slip one's wind = to die; to take the wind = to gain an advantage; to have one in the wind = to understand a person; 'Is the wind in that door?' = 'Is that so?'; wind enough to last a Dutchman a week = enough and to spare; between wind and water = in a vulnerable spot: spec. (venery) to get shot between wind and water = to be seduced, to receive (or get) a man; down the wind = verging towards ruin or decay; the way the wind blows = the position of a matter, the state of affairs; three (more or less) sheets in the wind (see Sheets); in the wind = (1) astir, afoot; and (2) a matter of surmise or suspicion; to carry the wind = to be high-spirited or mettlesome: properly of horses tossing the nose as high as the ears; to have the wind of = to keep strict watch; too near the wind = mean, stingy (nautical).
1546. Heywood, Proverbs, 502. He knew which way the winde blew.
1564. Udal, Erasmus, 318. 'Why,' quoth Pompeius, 'is the winde in this doore, that except Lucullus were a man geuen to delices, Pompeius might in no wise continue alive?'
d.1592. Greene, Looking-Glass for London, 121. Thras. I am come to entreat you to stand my friend, and to favour me with a longer time, and I will make you sufficient consideration. Usurer. Is the wind in that door?
1593. Shakspeare, Titus Andron., iv. 2. My son and I will have the wind of you.
1609. Jonson, Case is Altered, iii. 3. Go to, there is something in the wind, I see.
1620. Fletcher, Philaster, iv. 1. Shot him between wind and water.
d.1663. Bramhall, Works, iii. 507. The wind is gotten into the other door since we were prosecuted and decried as Pelagians and enemies of grace.
1680. Fannant, Hist. Edward II., ii. He had hit his desires in the Master-vein, and struck his former Jealousie between wind and water, so that it sunk in the instant.
1742-4. North, Life of Lord Guilford, i. 101. If the lords had sat in the morning, the design to be executed at one o'clock might have taken wind.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas [Routledge], 55. Ordonnez had not got wind of our affair.
1810. Crabbe, Borough, Letter 3. The Curate. An angry dealer, vulgar, rich and proud, Thinks of his bill, and passing, raps aloud; The elder daughter meekly makes him way—'I want my money, and I cannot stay; My Mill is stopt; what, Miss! I cannot grind, Go tell your Father he must raise the wind.'
1812. J. and H. Smith, Rejected Addresses, 136. So when to raise the wind some lawyer tries, Mysterious skins of parchment meet our eyes.
1821. Combe, Dr. Syntax, iii. iii. Fortune at present is unkind, And we, dear sir, must raise the wind.
