north. dial. Also 4–5 fele. [A northern and north midland word, a. ON. fela to hide, also to commit, commend = Goth. filhan to hide, bury:—OTeut. *felhan, str. vb. (pret. falh-, pa. pple. *folgano-). In ME. and mod. dialects always conjugated weak.
App. equivalent in form, though the relation in sense is obscure, are OE. féolan (fealh, folgen) to stick fast, to reach, attain, OHG. felahan to put together. The compound vb. OE. bi-féolan to entrust, commit, command, corresponds in form and sense to OFris. bifella, OS. bifelhan (Du. bevelen), OHG. bifelahan (MHG. bevelhen, mod.G. befehlen).]
trans. To hide, conceal.
c. 1325. English Metrical Homilies, 3.
| In al thing es he nouht lele, | |
| That Godes gift fra man will fele [printed rele]. | |
| Ibid., 12. | |
| For his [Christ’s] Godhed in fleis was felid | |
| Als hok in bait. |
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 3237. Thurghe that foreste I flede … ffor to fele me for ferde of tha foule thyngez.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 67.
| My counsellars so wyse of lare, | |
| Help to comforthe me of care, | |
| No wyt from me ye fele. |
1570. Levins, Manip., 207/30. To Feale, velare, abscondere.
1664. The Battle of Floddon Field, VII. 1899.
| The smothering smoak the light so feald, | |
| That neither Army other saw. |
1674. Ray, N. C. Words (1691), 25. He that feals can find.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1873. in Swaledale Gloss.
