leastwayn.adv.

c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Clerk's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 966 Do thow thy deuoir at the leeste weye.

a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 164 So this dolorous knyght served them all, that at the leste way he smote downe horse and man.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts v. 15 That at the lest waye the shadowe off Peter..myght shadowe some of them.

1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John xviii. 37–40 If ye wyll not spare..hym as an innocente, at leastwaye..pardon hym his life as an offender.

1588 G. Wither View Popish Test. 69 But papists consider not, or at the least way regard not, that the lieng toong killeth the soule.

a1607 T. Brightman Revelation of Apocalyps (1611) 246 Although if they pleased not to drawe this weapon, at the least way, they tormented with feare of Purgatory, and Hell.

1650 W. Blake Little Stream Divine Sweetness 64 Even the sinner mindes not, nor knowes not thy gifts nor the richnesse of it, or at least way see [sic] no want of pardon, light, or knowledge.

1856 Ladies' Compan. Jan. 132/2 He 's your own father's cousin in some way—leastway his mother was your father's cousin.

1888 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles (new ed.) i. xxii. 118 He can't put it on. Leastway[1862 Leastways], he won't, without a clean collar and shirt.

1906 Idler Mag. Aug. 546/1 A rat is a mighty tough customer, and when he starves to death that ain't by no means the end of him—leastway, so far as people with active noses is concerned.

2000 F. A. Leib Behold Pale Horse iii. i. 103 The skirt was daringly short. ‘Catch your death,’ Justice remarked. ‘Leastway your pussy will.’