a. Forms: 4–6 weldy (6 -ie), 5 weeldy, 6 wyldy, 7 wieldie, weildy, 7– wieldy. [f. WIELD v. + -Y1. Cf. MLG. weldich etc., and UNWIELDY.]
1. Capable of easily ‘wielding’ one’s body or limbs, or a weapon, etc.; vigorous, active, agile, nimble. Obs. exc. dial.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, II. 636. So fressh so yong so weldy semed he.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., xxiii. 154. Where ben the Weldy Werriours?
c. 1450. Lovelich, Grail, xii. 57. Eche man … That weren weldy Armes to bere.
1528. More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 153. The hole body is the more wyldy and lusty by some kynde of exercise.
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, Ld. Chandos, 75. Armd like youthfull Troyilus And fresh as he…, As stirring, weldie, and as cheualrous As Chaucer makes him.
1677. Gilpin, Demonol. (1867), 79. By reason of our burden we are less wieldy and more unapt to make any resistance.
† 2. ? Requiring strength to wield, heavy or bulky; wielded with force, powerful. Obs.
c. 1440. Partonope, 3876 (Univ. Coll. MS.). A-boute hys nekk heng a sheelde … And hit was full weeldy [v.r. weldely].
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, Ld. Chandos, 57. [He] did stand To his defence, when slaine was euerie mate With weldie axe.
3. Easily wielded, controlled or handled; manageable; handy. [In later use a back-formation from unwieldy.]
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, H iv. When you breake a colte, you firste beate him for his wildnes, and afterward being weldy do cherish your hobby.
1656. Heylin, Surv. France, 183. The boat … wieldie and fit for speed.
1678. R. L’Estrange, Seneca’s Mor., III. v. 28. In the Choice of a Sword, we take care that it be weildy.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, X. 286. Their javelins lessen’d to a wieldy length.
1839. J. Rogers, Antipopopr., v. § 2. 192. One mighty league, in one body wieldy, tractable, governable.
1903. Times Lit. Suppl., 19 June, 189/1. For its bulk it is admirably wieldy and light in hand.
¶ Erroneously used for unwieldy.
1687. Wood, Life (O.H.S.), III. 227. [He] being fat and weildy, could not ride or walk as the others could.
