† helo, a. Obs. or dial.
Forms: 7 helo(e, helaw, 7–9 halo, hala, 8–9 healo.
[Etymology unknown.]
Bashful, modest, shamefaced.
| 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Coiffé, Il est né tout coiffé,..hee is verie maidenlie, shamefacde, heloe. Ibid., Honteux, shamefast, bashfull, helo, modest. 1674 Ray N.C. Words 25 Heloe or Helaw, bashful, a word of common use. 1688 Shadwell Sqr. Alsatia iii. (1720) 57 Hack... Kiss her, I say. Lolp. I am so hala; I am ashamed. c 1746 J. Collier (Tim Bobbin) Lanc. Dial. (1862) 87 Healo, bashful. 1828 Craven Dial., Halo, Healo, bashful, modest. |