Obs. Also 5–6 le, 6–8 lee. Cf. LEW a. [f. LEE sb.1] Sheltered from the wind.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 4675. Þai … logget hom to lenge in þat le hauyn.
c. 1450. Holland, Howlat, 18. The land lowne was and le, with lyking and luf.
c. 1470. Henryson, Mor. Fab., VII. (Lion & Mouse), xxxviii. The fair forest with leuis lowne and le.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. iv. 121. The famy stour of stremis le Vp weltis from the braid palmis of tre.
1674. Ray, S. & E. C. Words, 70. Lee or Lew, Calm, under the wind. Suss.
¶ The ballad phrase in quot. below may possibly contain this word, used vaguely for ‘pleasant.’
a. 1800. Sweet Willie & Faire Annie, xxxv. in Child, Ballads (1885), II. 189. He is on to Annie’s bower By the lei light o the moon.
[1875. J. Veitch, Tweed, 81.
| Of daring raids and deadly feuds, exploits | |
| By lee light of the moon, on southern hills.] |
