Middle English Dictionary Entry
wē̆l n.
Entry Info
| Forms | wē̆l n. Also wel(l)e, wille, (early) wæl & (N) wẹ̄l(e & (in names) wella, wal(e, walle, vale. |
| Etymology | OE wǣl, (Nhb.) uēl; a few quots. could also be construed as ME wel(le n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A deep pool or turbulent whirlpool, as in the sea; also, a rushing stream, torrent; also fig.;
(b) a pit; an infernal pool or pit; also fig.; also, the pit or abyss of hell; helle ~;
(c) in surname and place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.249].
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(OE) Wor.Aelfric Gloss.(Wor F.174)546/20 : Gurges: wæl.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)17.5 : Vmgriped me weeles [vr. weles; L torrentes] ofe quede.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)35.9 : With welle [vr. weel; L torrente] of þi likinge ai Sal tou drinke þam, night and dai.
- a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7)73.16 (2nd occurrence) : Þou brake welles and weles [L fontes et torrentes].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5868 : Leuyathan…is euere conuersaunt In wellis trouble, & haueþ most his haunt Amongis watris in þe large see.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.2053 : I was lyk to haue be deuourid Of Caribdis, with his profounde welle, Where Sirenes, Meremaydnes dwelle.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)137b : A Welle: gurges.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)15400 : Þuss birrleþþ defell & hiss þeww Aȝȝ werrse & werrse drinnchess, & att te lattste drunncnenn þeȝȝ Þa wrecchess…Inn hefiȝ sinness depe wel.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)19690 : Godd…mihhte hemm alle wiþþ an word Inn helle wel bisennkenn.
- ?a1300 11 Pains(1) (Dgb 86)403/87 : Snaken and neddren…draieþ hem into one welle [vr. wel; rime: ounselle].
- c1300 Body & S.(5) (LdMisc 108)p.63 : Wȝan it was forth, þat foule lod To hellewel…On ilk a her a drope stod For friȝt.
- ?c1335 Swet ihc hend (Hrl 913)p.84 : Rise and wake Of þe hori sinne lake; If þou be þer in itake, Iwisse þou schalt to helle, To woni wiþ þe fendis blake In þat sorful wille.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)2262 : Alle þe penaunce ne coude y telle Þat y suffre yn a welle.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2903 : Þai sink in þat wele [Göt: pitt] Þar neuer man sank þat was o sele.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)23720 : Dame fortune turnes þan hir quele And castes vs dun vntil a wele [Göt: in-till a wele].
- ?c1450 Knt.Tour-L.(Hrl 1764)49/16,20 : See ye that brenninge well of the fire of hell?…ye shall into the well and be broiled and brent and sinke in the pitte of hell.
c
- (1150-60) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)202 : Mariscum de Wele.
- (a1250) EPNSoc.45 (Ches.)138 : Thelevale.
- (1255) EPNSoc.45 (Ches.)138 : Thellwalle.
- (1288-9) EPNSoc.44 (Ches.)276 : Wodewalescroft; Wodewalcroft; Wodewalecroft.
- (1296) in Ekwall PNLan.70 : Salewelle.
- (1298) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)202 : Wel.
- 1329(1154-60) EPNSoc.45 (Ches.)138 : Thelewella.
- (1332) Name in LuSE 79113 : Henr. atte Wele.
- (c1348) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)265 : Welhous.
- (1384) EPNSoc.45 (Ches.)138 : Thelewal.