Middle English Dictionary Entry
weil n.
Entry Info
| Forms | weil n. Also wele, (16th cent.) wail(e. |
| Etymology | From weilen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The expression of grief or woe, wailing, lamentation.
Associated quotations
- c1430 Chaucer TC (Cmb Gg.4.27)1.408 : Ȝit [read: Ȝif] þat at myn owene lust I brenne, ffrom whenys comyth myn wele [vr. waylynge] & myn pleynte?
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)8719 : The dole for þat doghty…Of wepyng, & wayle, & wryngyng of hondes…Of þo ledis þat hym louyt, no lettur might tell.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)11499 : With weping & waile, wo to be hold.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13979 : At þe partyng was pite of þo pure knyghtis, Miche wepyng & wail, wetyng of lere.