† belefbelifadv.
Obsolete.
In adverbial phrase a belef: obliquely, aslant; scarf-wise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [adverb]
a belefc1400
scarf-wise1581
jacket-wise1587
baldric-wise1590
foldedly1613
scarfways1653
beltwisea1667
polonaise-wise1888
toga-wise1902
stolewise1922
slinkily1935
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2517 Vche burne..a bauderyk schulde haue, A bende a-belef hym aboute.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2486 Þe blykkande belt he bere þeraboute, A-belef as a bauderyk.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
adv.c1400- gaydom
- gaydressed
- gayed
- gayelle
- gayer
- gayest
- gayeties
- gayety
- german-built
- german-derived
- german-educated
- german-grown
- german-hating
- german-influenced
- german-inspired
- german-italian
- german-jewish
- german-looking
- german-loving
- german-made
- german-occupied
- german-owned
- german-produced
- german-sounding
- german-speaker