Obs. Also 6 -lict. [ad. Anglo-L. vadelectus, vadlectus (13th c.), ad. AF. vadlet, var. OF. vaslet, vallet, varlet: see VALET sb. and VARLET.] A servant, serving-man.
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, 161. The same French king, for want of a Hereald…, was constrained to subbornate a vadelict, or common seruing-man.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 156. But if the sherife be a Vadelect of the crowne or other meniall seruant of the King, there the challenge is good.
1661. Blount, Glossogr. (ed. 2), Vadelet or Vadelect … signifies a servant, and is used in the accounts of the Inner Temple, for a Benchers Clerk or Servant.
So Vadelet, Vadlet. arch.
1661. [see prec.].
1813. Williams, Law of Clergy, 398. The King as founder of … many religious houses had a corrody for his vadelets, and a pension for a chaplain.
1861. Riley, trans. Carpenter’s Liber Albus, 40. As soon as the Sheriffs are sworn, all the Servants of their office—clerks, serjeants and their vadlets…-shall also be sworn.
