Obs. Forms: 1–3 léoflic, 3 leoflich, 4 leflich, leveli, 4–5 lefly. [OE. léoflic = OFris. liaflík, OS. liof-, lioblic (Du. liefelijk), OHG. liuplich (MHG. lieplich, mod.G. lieblich, Goth. liubaleiks): see LIEF a. and -LY1.] Lovable, lovely, delightful, beautiful, pleasant, dear, glad. Applied both to persons and things.
Beowulf, 1809. Sunu ecglafes heht his sweord niman leoflic iren.
a. 900. Cynewulf, Crist, 400. [Hi] lofiað leof-licne.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 183. Ihesu teke þet tu art se softe and se swote, ȝette to swa leoflic … þet [etc.].
c. 1205. Lay., 31787. Swiðe leoflic wes þe mon.
a. 1225. Juliana, 17. Leggeð so luðerliche on hire leofliche lich þat hit liðeri o blode.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 90. Leoflich þing nis hit nout þet ancre bere swuch muð.
a. 1240. Ureisun, in Cott. Hom., 187. Uor alle þinge swetest, alre þinge leoflucest.
1340–70. Alisaunder, 427. Þei … With a leflich lust lachte togeder.
c. 1460. Launfal, 858. Gawayn, my lefly frende.
