† ˈlevesel Obs.
Forms: 4 le(e)fsel, levesselle, levecel, 4–5 levesel, 5 leef-sele, levesell, lef-sale, lefe sal(e.
[? repr. OE. *léafsele, f. léaf leaf + sęle hall; cf. Sw. löfsal, Da. l{obar}vsal.]
A bower of leaves; a canopy or lattice.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. C. 448 Such a lefsel of lof neuer lede hade. c 1386 Chaucer Reeve's T. 141 The clerkes hors ther as it stood ybounde Behynde the Mille, vnder a lefsel. ― Pars. T. ¶337 As the gaye leefsel atte Tauerne is signe of the wyn that is in the Celer. c 1400 Destr. Troy 337 A playne, Full of floures..With lef-sales vppon lofte lustie and faire, Folke to refresshe for faintyng of hete. a 1420 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 600 To Bachus signe & to þe leuesel His youþe him haliþ. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 300/2 Levecel be-forne a wyndowe, or other place, umbraculum. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxii. 215 She hath the keyes and leith hem vnder the leuesell of the bed vnto the morow. |