† heldestadv.
Obsolete.
Most, foremost, soonest.
ΘΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > age > [adjective] > older than an age > eldest
eldestc1000
mostc1275
heldesta1400
oldest1478
greatest1535
patriarchal1806
aîné1831
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > in the greatest degree or most
mostOE
heldesta1400
greatestc1400
mostly1580
largemosta1672
mostest1888
a1400–50 Alexander (Dublin) 1855 In howre-selfe to sitte all-þar heldest [v.r. heist].
a1400–50 Alexander (Dublin) 2509 When we hope all þe heldest [v.r. althire-hiȝest] to herye hym with armes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adv.a1400