Obs. Forms: 1 œle, 1–4 ele, 3 eli, ely, eoli. [OE. œle = OHG. oli (mod.G. öl):—WGer. oli, ad. late L. oli-um (L. oleum). Afterwards replaced by the Fr. form of the same word, now represented by OIL, q.v. for the forms oli, eoile.] = OIL.

1

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xxv. 4, Hogofæste uutetlice onfengon œle in fetelsum hiora mið leht-fatum.

2

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 230. Wiþ wambe coþe, seoð rudan on ele.

3

c. 1200.  Ormin, 13252. Forr þatt teȝȝ … Onnfon þurrh hallȝhedd ele att Crist Hiss Hallȝhe Gastess frofre.

4

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 428. Me schal helden eoli and win beoðe ine wunden.

5