Middle English Dictionary Entry
abelef adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | abelef adv. |
| Etymology | OF phr. a be(s)lif. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. embelif.
1.
(a) Obliquely, slantwise; (b) ?as adj.: oblique.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2486 : Abelef as a bauderyk.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)2517 : Vche burne of þe broþerhede a bauderyk schulde haue, A bende abelef hym aboute of a bryȝt grene.
b
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.50r : Þe litle genycle groweþ comonly in pathis þat ben wilde, þe outhendest erbe or gres to syȝt þat Y haue mynde of: Vnneþis haþ eny stalk for smal & ȝut al bechefangil [?read: a belef angil], lyk a leg bowyd nyh to þe hamme, or ellys lik a brokyn leg.