adv. Obs. Forms: 1 floc(c)mǽlum, 4 flocmele, flockmel, 5–6 flo(c)kmell, -mele, 6–7 flock(e)meale. [OE. floccmǽlum, f. flocc FLOCK sb.1 + mǽlum, dat. pl. of mǽl measure: cf. piecemeal, stoundemele.] By companies or troops (of persons), rarely by groups or heaps (of things). In later use sometimes preceded by by or in.
c. 893. K. Ælfred, Oros., II. v. § 2. Hie þonne hie floccmælum sloȝan.
1382. Wyclif, 2 Macc. xiv. 14. Than heithen men that fledden Judas fro Judee, flocmele ioynyden hem to Nychanore.
1482. Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 107. Theder came flockemele the multytude of tho blessyd sowlys that were next to hyt.
1566. Drant, Wail. Hierim., K vij b.
| The stones and glittring perles, | |
| of holy house deuine. | |
| Flock meale, to corners of eche strete | |
| are scatered, and roulde. |
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, IV. (Arb.), 109.
| Sister An, in cluster you see thee coompanye swarming | |
| On the shoare in flockmeale: for wind theire sayles ar hoysted. |
1600. Holland, Livy, II. xxviii. (1609), 62. All the younger sort of the Senatours, approched by flockmeale, hard almost to the Consuls seats, willing them to give over their Consulship, and to resigne up their rule and authoritie, to the maintenance where of they lacked courage.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xviii. (1632), 903. Some Lords, Knights and Gentlemen, either for fauour of the Queene, or for feare of themselues, assembled in sundry Companies, and went flocke-meale in harnesse.
