Obs. Forms: 1 ʓeliefan, ʓelyfan, ʓelefan, 2 ȝelifen, ȝelyfen, ileafen, 2–5 ileve(n, 3 ilæiven, ilæefen, iluven, 3–4 ilefe(n, ylefe(n, ileove(n, 4 ileave, ileeve, ilyve, yleve, ylif. [OE. ʓelíefan = OS. gilôbjan (MDu. ghelooven, Du. gelooven), OHG. gilouben (MHG. gelouben, glouben, glöuben, early mod.G. gleuben, G. glauben), Goth. galaubjan: f. Teut. ga- Y- + lauƀ- dear (related to leuƀ- LIEF and luƀ- LOVE).] To believe.

1

c. 888.  Ælfred, Boeth., v. § 3. Ʒelefst ðu þet sio wyrd wealde þisse worulde?

2

a. 1000.  Boeth. Metr., xxvi. 99. Ða dyseʓan men þe ðysum drycræftum long ʓelyfdon.

3

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 65. Wenne ic ileue and wel iso þet no gult me forȝeuen bo.

4

c. 1205.  Lay., 29022. Karic ileouede to soðe Sexisce monne lare.

5

a. 1250.  Prov. Ælfred, 352, in O. E. Misc., 124. Ne ilef þu neuer þane mon þat is of feole speche.

6

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 4097. Þou ne dost noȝt ase þe wys If þow y-lyuest sir Alorys.

7

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VIII. 177. Men of þe contray aboute longe tyme þerafter myȝte unneþe i-leve þat þat citee was i-take.

8

c. 1400.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 267. I-leue þe wordis þat I seie.

9