Lette, v. S. [lǽtan, lettan] to hinder, retard, 1164, 2253, 2819; to stop, cease, 2445, 2627. Let, pa. t. stopped, stayed, 2447, 2500. Leten, pa. t. pl. stopped, delayed, 2379.
Leue, n. S. leave, 1387, 1626, 2952, &c.
Leue, adj. See [Lef].
Leue, v. S. [lýfan] imp. s. grant, 334, 406, 2807. K. Horn, 465, MS.; R. Gl., Erle of Tol. 365. Guy of Warw. ap. Ellis, M. R. V. 2, p. 77, where it is misprinted lene. It is very frequently used in the old Engl. Metrical Lives of the Saints, MS. Laud, 108. [The true distinction between leue and lene is, that the former is the A.S. lýfan, G. erlauben = grant in the sense of allow, permit, and is invariably intransitive; whilst lene is the A.S. lænan, G. leihen = grant in the sense of give. The confusion between the senses of grant has led to confusion between lene and leue, and in at least five passages of Chaucer (C. T. 7226, 13613; Tro. ii. 1212, iii. 56, v. 1749, ed. Tyrwhitt) many editions wrongly have lene. In the last three instances Tyrwhitt rightly prints leve, but unnecessarily corrects himself in his Glossary. I regret to add that I have thrice made a similar mistake. In Piers Plowman, A. v. 263, and in Pierce the Ploughman’s Crede, ll. 366 and 573, for lene read leue. Halliwell’s remark, that “the [former] editor of Havelok absurdly prints leue” is founded upon the same misconception, and he is wrong in his censure. See the use of lefe in the Ormulum, ed. White.]
Leued, pa. t. S. left, 225.
Leuedi, n. S. lady, 171, &c. Leuedyes, pl. 239. V. Hickes, Diss. Ep. p. 52, n.
Leuere. See [Lef].
Leues, pr. t. 3 p. S. believes, 1781, 2105. From lefan.
Leuin, n. S. lightning, 2690. R. Br. p. 174. Yw. and Gaw. Chauc. C. T. 5858. Doug. Virg. 200, 53.
Lewe, adj. S. warm, 498, 2921.