Obs. Forms: 1 ʓisel, 2 ȝysel, 3 ȝisel, ȝæsel. [OE. ʓísel = OHG. gîsal (MHG. gîsel, G. geisel), ON. gísl (Sw. gislan, Da. gidsel, gissel) GISEL; cf. OIr. giall.] A hostage.
c. 893. Ælfred, Oros., III. vii. § 2. Philippus þa he cniht wæs, wæs Thebanum to ʓisle ʓeseald.
c. 1205. Lay., 21103. Bringeð her þa ȝæsles Biforen ure cnihtes. Ibid., 22790. He wes iȝefen Arður To halden to ȝisle.
