ppl. a. and sb. Also 4 by-luffede, 5 bylouyd, 6–7 beloued. [f. as prec. + -ED1.]
A. ppl. adj. Loved. Often well-, best-, first-, etc.)
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XII. xiii. (1495), 423. Gnattes ben beste bylouyd meete to swalowes.
c. 1485. Digby Myst. (1882), II. 510. Welbelouyd frendes.
1535. Coverdale, Song 3 Childr., 11. For thy beloued Abrahams sake.
1552. Bk. Com. Prayer. Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., II. ii. 57. How happily he liues, how well belou’d.
1647. W. Browne, Polexander, II. 143. The fairest and best belovedst daughter of the Emperour.
1817. Coleridge, Sibyl. Leaves (1862), 243. ’Twas even thine, beloved woman mild!
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., IV. 1. Impatient to be once more in his beloved country.
B. sb. ellipt, use of adj.: cf. dear.) One who is beloved, a loved one.
1526. Tindale, 1 John iii. 2. Derely beloved, now are we the sonnes of God.
1589. Warner, Alb. Eng., VI. xxxi. 155. The Louer and Beloued are not tyed to one Law.
1611. Bible, Song v. 9. What is thy beloued more then another beloued?
1748. G. White, MS. Serm. ’Tis the nature of Love to extend itself to all things belonging to it’s Beloved.
1850. Mrs. Browning, Consolation. There are left behind Living Beloveds.
1872. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. lxxi. 24. Others talk of their beloveds, and they shall be made to hear of mine.
