Obs. 4–6; also adele, adell, adeale; properly two words a deal, a part; used in negative phrases not a deal, never a deal = not, or never a bit; not at all. See DEAL.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 6402. This ought thee suffice wele, Ne be not rebel never adele. Ibid., 7435. For he ne drede him not adele.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. vi. Some … lyke it neuer adell.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Grail, xxx. 220. And Salomon … there aȝens spak neuere adel.
1534. More, On the Passion, Wks. 1557, 1369/2. I doubte it neuer adeale.
