† ˈwaldend Obs.
Forms: 1 waldend, wealdend, 2 weldende, 2–3 wealdende, 3 walden(de), wealdent, weldent.
[OE. waldend, wealdend, subst. form of pres. pple. of waldan, wealdan, to control (see wield v.).]
A ruler, governor (rare except in periphrases for God).
| Beowulf 17 Him þæs lif-frea, wuldres wealdend, woroldare forᵹeaf. c 888 ælfred Boeth. xvi. 2 Þa sint eowere hlafordas & eowere waldendas, næs ᵹe heora. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 75 Scuppende and weldende of heouene and of orðe and of alle iscefte. c 1205 Lay. 5059 Nu þu eært londes weldent. Ibid. 25569 Lauerd drihten crist, domes waldende, midelarde mund..walden ænglen, let þu mi sweuen to selþen iturnen. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1235 Ah þe witti weldent ant te rihtwise bireadde hit swa swiðe wel, þ he þ ouercom mon, were akast þurh mon. Ibid. 2065 Hwerto wultu wreastlin wið þe worldes wealdent? |