A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Leve,) Lewe, Leif, v.3 [ME. and e.m.E. leve(n, leeve(n, ME. also leefe(n, lefenn (Orm), OE. (Angl.) léfan, (West Saxon) líefan, lýfan. In Sc., only in early verse.] a. tr. To trust, place reliance on (a person); to believe, give credence to (the truth). b. intr. To repose faith in; to believe on: (cf. also Leve v.4 2 e). —a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 759.
The Jow … sad ‘Frend, mycht I thé lewe, Myn wil ware gud thé to relewe With creance, … gyf I mycht trew That thu as lele man [etc.]’ a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 71.
He saw nane levand leid … , leif ye the lele Ib. 1107.
To leif in thi laute, and thow war unlele, Than had I cassin in cair mony kene knight a1500 Rauf C. 941.
My treuth I thé plicht That I sall lelely leif on thy Lord ay a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxxx. 105.
I will not do that syn, Leif ȝow [sic, appar. for: ȝe], this warld to wyn
