wrength

English

Etymology

Probably originally a nonce formation from wrong +‎ -th by analogy with strong ~ strength and long ~ length; compare Middle English wrengthe (“crookedness, distortion”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: rĕngth, IPA^(key): /ɹɛŋθ/
• Rhymes: -ɛŋθ

Noun

wrength (uncountable)

1. (rare and now nonstandard) The state or condition of being wrong; wrongness; wrongfulness; error.
   • 1823, Ringan Gilhaize, The covenanters, by the author of Annals of the parish:

     Those who would exalt themselves by abetting the strength of the Godless, and the wrength of the oppressors.

   • 1905, Juvenile Nonfiction:

     [...] Wrong is short-lived, and right must vanquish at length, If, scorning the wrong, we do others no wrength.

   • 2012, Amber McRee Turner, Sway:

     "Dad," I said, "this isn't an in-between, is it?" "This isn't an in-between," He said. "Honestly, Cass, I'm at a loss for what to call this." "I know exactly what to call it," I said. "Wrength." "Wrength?" "Wrongness." In fact, the way I saw it, Mom had invented a whole new level of wrongness. A bad so bad that wrength might not even be capable of describing it. [...]"

   • 2022, Jaymin Shah, Life Travel, page 12:

     This world is full of wrength,
     Nothing will be done till we stand up to it upto^[sic]
     its maximum length […]

   • 2024, Maria Qatato, The Return of the Sun & Other Poems:

     In wrength they banished him, astride
     His vengeful rage now rode, and chide
     He did his sense, his kin and home;
     Yet sunderance he would not abide.

Related terms

• wrangle
• wring
• wrong
• wrongeous

Scots

Etymology

1823, from wrang, wrong (“wrong”), formed on analogy with strength (from strong), length (from long) by R. Gilhaize Galt, or from Middle English wrengðe (“wrongfulness”). More at wrong.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /rɛŋθ/

Noun

wrength (plural wrengths)

1. wrongfulness, injustice

Related terms

• wrong

References

• William Graham, The Scots Word Book, "injustice", 1980.
• Notes: