Obs. [Origin obscure.] = WILE sb. Hence † wiltful a., wily.
a. 1230. St. Kath., 891. Þe wrenchfule feont, þurh onden, wið his wiles [MS. Royal wiltes] weorp him ut.
c. 1240. Ancr. R., MS. C.C.C.C. 402, lf. 61. Hu ȝe schulen witen ow wið þes deofles wiltes. Ibid., 73 b. Hit bringeð to noht al þes deofles wiheles nawt ane his strengðes & his stronge turnes ah deð his wiltfule [so also MS. Caius 234, lf. 156 b; MS. Cott. Nero wihtful, Titus wilfule] crokes & his wrenchfule wicchecreftes.
