helder, adv. Obs. exc. dial.
[ME. = ON. comp. heldr (Sw. heller, Da. heller).]
More; rather.
| 13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 430 And nawþer faltered ne fel þe freke neuer þe helder. a 1400–50 Alexander 1016 My couatyng is elder [v.r. helder] Þe sadnes of slike men þan swyftnes of childir. Ibid. 4657 Þat gome is gods gud frend & god neuire þe hildire. 1674 Ray N.C. Words 25 Heldar, rather, before. c 1840 in Almondbury & Huddersf. Gloss. s.v., [One of ‘some masons setting a flag’] It's elder slack yet. 1857, 1874 [see elder adv.]. |