† ˈfelefold, a. (adv.) Obs.
[f. fele a.1 + fold.]
= manifold. Also absol. in by felefold: by a great deal, many times over.
| c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Spelm.) xxxv[i]. 6 Domas ðine neowelnys micellu oððe felefeald. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 135 Alswa of ane sede cumeð fele folde weste. c 1205 Lay. 4249 Beoð on beoken feole feld bisnen. a 1225 Ancr. R. 180 Boðe [temptaciuns] beoð feoleuold. c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 1545 Hit were a fole fele-folde. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. ii. i. 30, I vnderstonde þe felefolde colour & deceites of þilke merueillous monstre fortune. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xiii. 320 It was fouler bi felefold þan it firste semed. |
b. As adv. In manifold ways.
| 1340 Ayenb. 212 Naȝt wordes afaited and y-sliked ueleuold. |
Hence † ˈfelefold v. Obs., to increase, multiply; (a) trans. (b) intr. for refl.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter iii. 2 Hou fele-folded are þai, Þat droves me to do me wa. Ibid. xi. 9 [xii. 8] Men sones fele⁓faldes tou. Ibid. cxxxviii[-ix]. 18 Over se-sand fele-falde sal þai. |