Obs. Also weaðle. [OE. wǽdla, Mercian wéðla.] a. adj. Poor, needy. b. sb. pl. The poor.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Mark x. 46. Timeus sunu bartimeus sæt blind wieð þone weʓ wædla.
c. 1000. Ags. Ps. (Surtees), cviii. 17. & ochtende wes mon ðearfan & weðlan.
c. 1200. Ormin, 5638. All wrecche & wædle & usell mann.
c. 1205. Lay., 427. Wapmen & wifmen, þa weoleȝen & þa a weaðlen, alle he heom sumunde. Ibid., 5872. For her scullen þe wædlen alle i-wurðen riche.