Obs. rare–1. In 3 wælde. [OE. wǽdl str. fem., wǽdle wk. fem., related to next.
It is doubtful whether the wælde of the Layamon MS. is a scribal error or a genuine metathetic form.]
Poverty.
c. 888. Ælfred, Boeth., xxvi. § 2. Sio mennisce wædl ðe næfre ʓefylled ne bið wilnað ælce dæʓ hwæs hwuʓu þysses woruldwelan.
c. 1205. Lay., 1002. For al þat god of þisse londe we scule leden mid us & heo bi-læuen wrecches & wælde heom scal fulien.
