Obs. In 5 fedill, 7 fedle. [perh. repr. (with some change of sense) OE. fédels fatted bird, f. fédan to FEED.] One who is made much of; a pet, favourite. Also attrib.
[a. 800. Corpus Gloss., A 467. Altilia, foedils.
c. 1000. Suppl. Ælfric’s Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 190. Altilis, fedels.]
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 5603.
| Þar fand þai bridis in þa bilds · borely & quite, | |
| Of feþir fresch as any fame · as ere þir fedill dowfis, | |
| Þat see wald of a sekeman. |
1611. Cotgr., Bedaud, a fedle, minion, fauourite. Ibid., Cochonner … make a fedle of.
a. 1693. Urquhart, Rabelais, III. xviii. 146. It will be my dainty Fedle-darling, my gentiel Dilli minion.
