> as lemmas

OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 2nd Ser. (Bodl. 340) xi. 94 On ðam ænlipium he gesette twelf munecas, and ane feawa he geheold mid him sylfum.

c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 8362 An vewe wiþ sunne of lecherie Mowe binime grace of god to al an compaynie.

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 953 Al þe feldes þo wern y-fuld of dede men on þe grounde, Saue an vewe þat leye & ȝulde.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 19782 He badd þa men be all vte-don, þat in þat hus left bot a fon.

c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) l. 2061 Fra his faes with a fewe þe filde to de-voide.

1533 T. More Apologye xxii. 134 With perusyng after this fashyon of a fewe, there was none that one man named,..but fyue for that one reiected hym.

a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 56 In euerie separate kinde of learnyng and studie..ye must follow, choselie a few, and chieflie some one.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 61 Loue all, trust a few, Doe wrong to none. View more context for this quotation

1650 J. Dury Reformed Librarie-keeper 26 It [sc. the Librarie of Heidelberg] was ingrossed into the hands of a few, till it became a Prey unto the Enemies of the Truth.

1723 A. Pope Corr. Aug. (1956) II. 186 To pass my days with you, & a few such as you.

1775 S. Johnson Taxation No Tyranny 60 The whole town of Boston is distressed for the misdemeanour of a few.

1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. i. 55 A faithful few Prest thro' the throng to join him.

1880 L. Wallace Ben Hur iii. iv. 153 A few were biremes, the rest stout triremes.

1947 Clearing House 21 429/1 My class was unusually apathetic. Nevertheless, there were a few who were alert.

1993 Albuquerque (New Mexico) Jrnl. 25 Jan. (Business Outlook section) 27 (advt.) MBA Programs are not all created equal. A select few are granted national accreditation.

2003 J. R. Lennon Mailman i. iv. 209 A few have ‘dressed down’ and wear shorts and golf shirts; others are in suit and tie.