Used predicatively with dat. pers. pronouns: happy, glad; blessed, fortunate; prosperous; in sound health: (a) in generalizing expressions of the type: ~ is hem (him, her), ~ mai him ben, ~ were him, etc., fortunate or blessed are they (who act in such and such a way or enjoy such and such a circumstance), he shall prosper (that does sth.), happy he (who experiences sth.), etc.;—sometimes in proverbs; (b) in generalizing phrase expressing the singularity or difficulty of the action: ~ was him, lucky was he (who could do sth.); (c) in conditional expressions of the type: ~ were me (him), ~ is me, etc., I (he) would be glad (if sth. were the case, etc.); also, it would have been well for him (if sth. had not occurred) [last quot.]; (d) in statements of circumstance or fact: ~ is me (us), ~ me, ~ was hire (him), etc., I am (we are, she was) pleased or fortunate; I am (he was, etc.) pleased, glad, or fortunate (because of sth., that sth. was the case, etc.); ~ worthe the, it will be well with you (that you have done sth.), you are fortunate; ~ hem worthe, they were restored to health; hem was wel, they were happy; that him was ~, what was good for him [quot. a1450, 1st]; (e) in blessings, salutations, and expressions of good will; ~ him, blessed be he (for whom sb. would do sth.); ~ is (be) the, blessed art thou; ~ the (you) be, ~ worthe the, etc., may it be well with you.

Used predicatively with names or nouns denoting persons, which in some instances may have been perceived as in the dative, as in sense 1a.: fortunate, blessed, well-off: (a) in generalizing expressions: ~ is, fortunate is (the person who may do sth., etc.); ~ were, bith…~, well would (will) it be for (the person who might do sth., etc.); (b) in statements of fact or expressions of good will: ~ worthe, blessed be (sb.), well may it be with (sb.); blessed be (sb. who does sth.).

Used predicatively with to phrase: ~ be to you, you may prosper; ~ it was (shal be) to, it shal be ~ to, it will go well for (sb.).

Used predicatively of a person, an animal, etc.: (a) in a good or happy state, well-off, prosperous, blessed, fortunate; also, good, true; ~ in, well furnished with (sth.); also, advanced in (age) [quot. a1450 Castle Persev.]; (b) in sound health, not or no longer ill; ~ of wittes, in one’s right mind; (c) well groomed, well turned out; (d) pleased, content; ~ of, pleased with (sth., oneself); (e) in blessings: ~ be thou, ~ ye be, etc., good luck to you; blessed be you; farewell; also as greeting; (f) ben ~ with, to be in favor with (sb., God).

(a) Of a material thing: in good or sound condition; of fine quality; also, safe, secure [1st quot.]; of a part of the body: healing well; (b) of a state, circumstance, etc.: satisfactory; appropriate; (c) of behavior, an action, etc.: praiseworthy, good; also, successful; (d) of a planet: beneficially situated; (e) desirable; worthy;—used with inf.; (f) in phrases: ~ be it, so be it; ~ be (worthe), blessed be (sth.);—as expression of praise or gratitude; as ~ as, equivalent to (sth.), tantamount to.

Used attributively in combs.: ~ dede, q.v.; ~ fare, q.v.; ~ lote, good opinion, high regard [cp. leten v. 15.(c)]; ~ man, a sane man; ~ shape, attractive appearance or figure; ~ spede (wele), prosperity, good fortune.