Obs. Forms: 1 ʓeleafa, 2 ȝel(e)afe, ileafe, ileave, 2–3 ileve, 3 ȝielefe, ilæfe. [OE. ʓeléafa: see LEVE sb.] Belief, faith.
c. 888. Ælfred, Boeth., v. § 3. Nu þu ðone ʓeleafan hæfst.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 5. Þet we sulen … habben godne ileafe to ure drihten. Ibid., 73. Þet an is rihte ileue, þet oðer fulluht.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 143. Þurh rihte ȝielefe, and clene liflade.
c. 1205. Lay., 2974. Swa helpe me Apollin, for min ilæfe is al on him.
