† thewfuladj.
Obsolete.
Full of or characterized by good qualities; good, virtuous, moral.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > virtue > [adjective]
goodeOE
dowingc1175
well-theweda1200
thewful?c1225
goodfulc1275
flourisheda1375
virtuousc1390
honesta1393
fine?a1400
theweda1400
well-manneredc1400
well-conditioneda1425
moralc1443
mannerlya1500
virtuala1500
graceful1611
well-moralized1624
well-principled1635
morate1652
unlicentious1737
respectable1750
nice1799
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 310 Talkeð to ower meidnes. & wið þeufule talen schurtið outo gedere.
c1230 Hali Meid. 45 Wiðute oðer god & þawfulle mihtes.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 900 Heo Godd þonkeden mid þeu-fulle [c1300 Otho witfolle] worden.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 2337 For he [sc. Abraham] was theuful [Fairf. curtays, Gött., Trin. Cambr. meke] bath and hind.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 2665 A theuful [Trin. Cambr. holy] takynyng for to ken At tuin yow wit fra oþer men.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2020).
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adj.?c1225