Obs. Also 4–5 spelde, 4 spielde. [OE. speld neut., = ON. speld, spjald (Norw. spjeld, Sw. spjell), related to Goth. spilda fem., MHG. and G. dial. spelte tablet, splinter, chip, etc.: see SPALD v.]
1. A fake or particle of fire; a spark. Also with of.
c. 1050. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 529. Tedasque, and biernende speld.
c. 1100. in Napier, O. E. Glosses, 161/2. In fauillam, on spelde.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 210. Wrechche gostes … he seiȝ Fleo op, and doun al brenninde, ase speldene doth of fuyre. Ibid., 474. Ake ofte gret fuyr and eke stuyrne wext of a luytel spielde.
c. 1440. R. Gloucester’s Chron. (Rolls), II. 819, note. And þer amydde he cast A litil spelde of fuyre and abowte þe speld fast He by wounde þys tender.
2. A chip or splinter.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3603. Þe kniȝt spere in speldes alto-schiuered. Ibid., 3855. So spakli here speres al on speldes went.
