Middle English Dictionary Entry
bālefullī adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | bālefullī adv. Also bal-, bail-. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Disastrously, destructively; (b) grievously, miserably, sadly.
Associated quotations
a
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1163 : Þei so manly fouȝten, þat balfully þe ferst batayle þei brutned to deþe.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)3959 : Þer i balfulli herebi-fore was brout al bi-neþe, þou hast me brouȝt of bale & bet al myn harmes.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)4261 : Þat ilke kud kniȝt..nel..balfulli do þe brenne in bitter fire, & ouer-ride þis reaume.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11983 : The burgh..baillfully distroyet, To se hit leme on a low, laithis not þi hert?
b
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)84 : Whan þe best þe barn missed, so balfully he ginneþ, þat alle men vpon molde no miȝt telle his sorwe.
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)311 : Þe bysshop balefully bere doun his eghen..so spakly he ȝoskyd.