Obs. [OE. wylle-stréam: see WELL sb.1 and STREAM sb.] A stream flowing from a spring.

1

a. 1000.  Phœnix, 105. Swa se æþela fuʓel … wunað wylle-streamas.

2

c. 1205.  Lay., 2849. King Bladud baðen iwrohte … mid ane stæn-cunne … þe he leide in ane walle stream.

3

c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 6058. Þe blod of kniȝtes dede & of destrers & of stede Ran hem after al day so ȝerne, So water out of wel streme.

4

c. 1381.  Chaucer, Parl. Foules, 187. Colde welle stremys … That swemyn ful of smale fischis lite.

5

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 93. For wher the hulles ben most hyhe, Ther mai men welle stremes finde.

6