† avowe Obs.
Also 3 avow.
[a. OF. avoué, avoé (12th c.), avoet (11th c.):—L. advocāt-us: see advocate n. As in assign and other words, the final -e became mute in ME., leaving avow. In 15th c. Fr. it was occas. spelt by the clerks advoué, whence the later Eng. advowee. (See ad- prefix 2.)]
An advocate, patron, or protector; esp. a patron saint.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 475 God and Seinte Marie, and Sein Denis al so, and alle the avowes [printed abowes] of this churche, in w[h]as ore ich am ido. c 1300 Beket 2129 Alle the avows of the churche. c 1300 K. Alis. 3160 Hendely they by⁓sechith thé That thou beo heore avowé. c 1490 Lyt. Geste iv. in Ritson Rob. Hood I. 42 ‘Where is your abbay, when ye are at home, And who is your avowé?’ |