Middle English Dictionary Entry
wāle n.(3)
Entry Info
| Forms | wāle n.(3) Also (early SWM) wælh & (in names) wal(le)-, weale-. |
| Etymology | OE wealh, (oblique) wal- & (in place names) weal(a)-, wal(e)-. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A foreigner, stranger; ~ more [see wal-more n.]; ~ note [see wal-not(e n.]; ~ wort, q.v.;
(b) a slave, servant;
(c) in surnames and place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.242-4].
Associated quotations
a
- a1300 Þar þe child is (Dgb 53)15 : Þar þe child is kinge and þe cherl is alderman and þe wale [L Exterus] biscop, wa þene lede.
b
- c1225 Body & S.(2) (Wor F.174)79/2 : Ic þin wale iwearþ, hu so [þu wol]dest.
- c1275(?a1200) Lay.Brut (Clg A.9)7412 : Habbe alc god mon his rihte ȝif Godd hit an, & ælc þrel & ælc wælh wurðe iuroeid.
c
- (c1100) in Wallenberg PNKent577 : Wealemere.
- (1114-30) EPNSoc.18 (Mid.)7 : Walebroc.
- (c1150) in Ekwall Dict.EPN470 : Waleie.
- (1196) EPNSoc.11 (Sur.)27 : Wallewurd.
- (1197) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames368 : Albin de Walebroc.
- (1240) EPNSoc.8 (Dev.)16 : Walebrokesheved.
- (1254) in Löfvenberg ME Local Surnames219 : Galfr. de la Walecote.
- (1291) in Bannister PNHerf.199 : Ecclesia de Walford cum capellis.
- (1294) EPNSoc.15 (Hrt.)22 : Waleden Regis.
- (1308) EPNSoc.72 (Nrf.)129 : Walkotes.
- (1327) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames369 : Gilbert Walford.
- (1342) EPNSoc.15 (Hrt.)23 : Abbotteswalden.
- (1354) EPNSoc.11 (Sur.)27 : Walworth.
- (1379) in Reaney Dict.Br.Surnames368 : John Walcot’.
- a1400(1104) in Ekwall Street-Names Lond.193 : Walebroch.
- a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)763 : He slouh of hem at london so greet noumbre…beside the river, Aftir whoos name…Is callid yit, wher romayns did bleede, Into this day Walbrok.