Obs. Forms: 3 apostolie, 4 apostoyle, -oile, 5 apostoyll. [a. OF. and Afr. apostolie, later Central Fr. -oile:—late L. *apostolius; prop. adj. APOSTOLIC, but, like apostolicus, in med.L., used as title of the pope. ‘Ipse summus pontifex vocetur apostolicus.’ Du Cange.] The pope.
c. 1205. Lay., 29614. Menen to Gregorie þan holi appostolie [1250 pope].
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 130. To Thomas þe kyng bisouht þe bishop to assoile, Bot Thomas wild nouht, bot þorgh grace of þe apostoile.
c. 1440. Sir Gowther, 250. Y wyll to Rome to þe apostoyll.
