well-ˈwilly, a. Obs. exc. dial.
[See willy a. Cf. Sw. välvillig, Da. velvillig.]
Full of good will, benevolent, well-disposed, generous; = goodwilly a.
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 1257 Venus mene I, þe wel willy planete. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints iii. (Andrew) 807 Al þai þat vele wylly was to þe apostil. c 1402 Lydg. Compl. Bl. Knt. 627 A! fairë lady! welwilly founde at al. c 1425 St. Mary of Oignies ii. iii. in Anglia VIII. 158 Pees in londe to men þat are wele willy. c 1449 Pecock Repr. v. vii. 522 Wherfore ther mai not so greet a multitude be weel willi to religioun, if [etc.]. 1808 Jamieson, Weill-willie, Weill⁓willit, Liberal, not niggardly. 1881 Leic. Gloss., Well-willing, and Well-willy, favourable to; having a kindly feeling towards; bearing good will towards. |