adj. phr. Now rare; latterly Sc. and U.S. [See WELL a. 3.] Prosperous, well to do. Also well to live in the world.
1579–80. North, Plutarch, Aristides (1595), 349. And furthermore, to shewe that hee was well to liue, and that his house was rich and wealthie, he bringeth foorth these proofes.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. ii. 55. His Father … is an honest exceeding poore man, and God be thanked well to liue.
1622. Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., II. 95. Shee … was married in the end to one of an honest condition, and well to liue.
1673. Ray, Journ. Low C., 249. The Piemontese are generally well to live.
1796. Hist. Ned Evans, I. 137. He was well to live, and was said to have plenty of money besides his stock.
1829. Anniversary, 171. They were … well to live in the world, extensive dealers in corn and cattle.
1836. Carlyle, in Atlantic Monthly (1898), Sept., 295–6. The Doctor looks very well and sonsy; he seems in good health and well to live.
attrib. 1897. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 4 Jan., 10/1. Unable to collect money from well-to-live people who have owed it to her for six months.
b. Partly intoxicated.
1619. R. Harris, Drunkard’s Cup, Ep. Ded. A 2 b. One is coloured, another is foxt, a third is gone to the dogs, a fourth is well to live.
1825. Jamieson, Weil to live. 2. Tipsy, elevated with drink, half seas over.
1860. Bartlett, Dict. Amer. [New England.]
