† ˈmathele, v. Obs.
[OE. maðelian (also mæðlan: see mell v.1), f. mæðel meeting, discussion = OS., OHG. mahal assembly, tribunal, Goth. maþl:—OTeut. *maþlo{supm}.]
intr. and trans. To speak; to talk, prate. Hence † maðelung vbl. n., † maðelinde ppl. a.; † maðelere, a talker; † maðelild, a female chatterer, gossip.
| Beowulf 371 Hroðgar maþelode, helm Scyldinga: ‘Ic hine cuðe cnihtwesende’. c 725 Corpus Gloss. C 854 (Hessels) Contionatur, maðalade declamat. a 1000 in Napier O.E. Glosses 38/1419 Verbositas, ᵹewyrd, maþelung. a 1000 Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 212/17 Contionator, i. locutor, motere, uel maþelere. a 1225 Ancr. R. 74 Hore muð maðeleð euer. Ibid. 80 Heoþ openeð hire muð mid muche maðelunge, & brekeð silence [etc.]. Ibid., Ne blowe ᵹe hire [hope] nout ut mid maðelinde muðe, ne mid ᵹeoniinde tuteles. Ibid. 88 Ane maðelild [MS. T. maðelere] {thbar} maðeleð hire all þe talen of þe londe. |