str. Obs. Forms as in FALL. Pa. t. afell. Pa. pple. afallen. [f. A- pref. 1 intensive + FALL. Cf. a-rise.]
1. intr. To fall down; to fall (in battle); to fall (upon) as a destroyer.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke vi. 49. Hrædlice hit afeoll & wearð mycel hryre þæs huses.
c. 1160. Hatton Gosp., ibid., Rædlice hit afeol & warð mycel ryre þas huses.
1205. Layamon, 15949. Þi wal is afallen. Ibid. (1250), 16929. Arere chirches þat beoþ a-valle.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 246. A muchel tentaciun … aualleð mid a softe rein of a lut teares.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 1519. Charlis þe kyng of fraunce … is oppon my lond afalle.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., IX. 172. And if it sholde affalle into the dale.
2. fig. To fall in amount, price, estimation, rank, moral state.
a. 1121. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1100. On his dagan ælc riht afeoll · and ælc unriht … up arás.
1205. Layamon, 31967. Þa afeol þat feoh here, fif and sixti ȝere.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 1683. Ower prude schal avalle.
