Middle English Dictionary Entry
fēle adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | fēle adj. Also feele. |
| Etymology | OE fǣle. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. fale n.
1.
Excellent, worthy, proper, good.
Associated quotations
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)3290 : Me þuncheð þat mi fæder [Lear] nis no whit felle [Otho: his noþt fele].
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)26118 : Þas word seide Arður þe fele [Otho: feale].
- c1275(?c1250) Owl & N.(Clg A.9)1378 : Bo wuch ho bo, vich luue is fele Bitweone wepmon & wimmane.
- c1300 SLeg.Fran.(1) (LdMisc 108)287 : Þov nart nouȝt fele, Þat þou ne louest nouȝt pouere men.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)3544 : In euerich strete damisels Karols ledden, fair & fels.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)6470 : Gvenore, anoþer damisel, & oþer maiden fair & fel.
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)3311 : Bot þis hys þe best assay [of wine] and felle [rime: wele] For soth þat now es broght.
- c1410 Trev.Higd.(Add 24194)1.399 : Feele [Hrl: As þei God..Made þat lond so freele To be celer of al heele].
- c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn)729 : Þou arte fele, Þat þou ne will away stele.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)613 : His [Alexander's] fell fygoure & his fourme fully be-takend Þe prowis & þe grete pryse þat he a-preuyd eftire.