Middle English Dictionary Entry
lī̆telmēl(e adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | lī̆telmēl(e adv. Also -melome, -melum. |
| Etymology | From lī̆tel adj. & -mēle suf. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Little by little, by degrees, gradually, slowly; bi (with) ~, little by little.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.33.14 : I schall folow lytyll-mele [WB(2): litil and litil; L paulatim] þe stappes of hym.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.40.10 : I seeiȝ befor me a vyne, in þe which wern þre braunchez growen lytyll-mele in to clustrez.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Deut.7.22 : He shal waaste þes nacionys..lyttulmele [vrr. litil melum, bi litil mele] & by paartees; þou shalt not mowe doon hem awey to gedere.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Prov.13.11 : Substaunce hastid shal be lassid; that forsothe litilmele [vr. with litilmel] is gedered, with hond shal be multeplied.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)Judg.20.33 : The busshementis..litil melome hem seluen bigunnen to opne.
- a1425(a1382) WBible(1) (Corp-O 4)1 Kings 14.19 : Greet noyse is out sprongen in the tentis of Philistyen; and it wexe litilmele, and cleerliker it sownyde.