v. Obs. Forms: Inf. 1 bedelfan, 3–4 bydelve, 4–5 bi-, bedelue (-ve). Pa. pple. 1 bedolfen, 3 bydeolve(n, 4 by-, bedolve(n, 6 bedolvyne, Sc. bedelvyn. [OE. bedelf-an, f. BE- + delf-an to DELVE.]
1. trans. To dig round or about.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke xiii. 8. Oþ ic hine bedelfe.
a. 1500. E. E. Misc., 68. The tre schal be bedolvyne abowte.
2. To bury.
a. 1000. Dream of Rood, 75. Bedealf us man on deopan seaðe.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., V. i. 151. And fond þere a gobet of golde by-doluen.
c. 1440. Lonelich, Grail, li. 14. And him … putten there-inne, and him bedelven.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. ix. 49. Quharin bedelvyn lyis a gret talent.
