Middle English Dictionary Entry
hẹ̄ld(e n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | hẹ̄ld(e n.(2) Also hēlde, ilde. |
| Etymology | OE hyldu & held(e. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Favor, grace, good will; (b) duty, allegiance; heldes haven on honde, to have someone's allegiance.
Associated quotations
a
- a1225 Lamb.Hom.Pater N.(Lamb 487)69/240 : God..ȝefe us mihte þurh his held þet ure leue beo ure sceld.
- a1300 A Mayde Cristes (Jes-O 29)96 : He is..freo of heorte, of wisdom wilde, Ne þurhte þe neuer rewe, myhtestu do þe in his ylde.
- a1350 In a fryht (Hrl 2253)9 : Yhere þou me nou, hendest, in helde, nauy þe none harmes to heþe.
- c1400 St.Alex.(2) (Trin-O 57)92 : Þis childis fader fel on elde, And his moder, godis helde, ȝeres hadde fele.
b
- c1300(c1250) Floris (Cmb Gg.4.27)398 : His manrede þu schalt fonge..Þat he þe bere al þe helde Þat man schal to his louerd ȝelde.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5805 : Hit is vileynye To be of bold word atte mete & coward in þe velde, Vnderstond þe bet ef sone, & hold me þin helde.
- c1425 Glo.Chron.A (Hrl 201)p.225 : He wan ek to þys londe þe syx yles þat beþ aboute, and heldys adde [Clg: heoldis al] an honde.