Middle English Dictionary Entry
fāvē̆l n.
Entry Info
| Forms | fāvē̆l n. Also fauvel. |
| Etymology | OF favele story, fable, lying, deception (from L fābella). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Flattery, insincerity; duplicity, guile, intrigue. [The figure of Favel, with these characteristics, was created by Langland in PPl. All other uses of the figure and the term seem to be derived from this source.]
Associated quotations
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)2.23 : To-morwe worþ þe Mariage I-mad Of Meede and of fals; Fauuel with feir speche haþ brouȝt hem to-gedere.
- c1390 PPl.A(1) (Vrn)2.113 : Þen fet fauel forth floreynes I-nowe, & bad gyle go to & ȝyue gold aboute.
- (?1406) Hoccl.MR (Hnt HM 111)247 : Thogh fauel peynte hir tale in prose or ryme, Ful holsum is it truste hire nat a deel.
- (c1426) Audelay Poems (Dc 302)46/1005 : Fauel with his fayre wordis and his flateryng.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)2941 : Fauel hath caght so sad foote In lordes court, he may naght þens slyde.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)5275 : Alas! so manny a worthi clerk famouse..Stonde vn-avanced, wher the viciouse ffauel hath chirches & preuendres.
- (c1450) Boothe be ware (CotR 2.23)p.227 : Favour and favelle, foulle faille they ferys, Broghte forthe avarice fast by the fiste.
- a1456 Passe forþe (Ashm 59)25 : Fawuel fareþe euen right as doþe a bee, Hony mowþed right ful of swetnesse is she, But..ware þee frome hir stronge.
- c1500 King & H.(Ashm 61:Hazlitt)157 : Were I oute of my hermyte wede, Off thy favyll I wold not dred.