Obs. Forms: 1 fléam, 3 flem, (vlem), fleom, (flæm, fleam), 3–4 fleme. [OE. fléam str. masc.:—OTeut. type *plauhmo-, f. plauh- ablant-var. of pleuh- to FLEE.] Flight; exile.

1

Beowulf, 2889 (Gr.).

                        Syððan æðelingas
feorran ȝefricȝean    fleam eowerne.

2

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 149. We ben here alle on fleme.

3

c. 1205.  Lay., 6407. He turnede to fleme. Ibid., 24070. Ofte he ulem makede.

4

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 4341. So they hadde take fleme.

5