Obs. Also 3–4 liste, 4–5 lyst(e, lest(e. [Com. Teut.: OE. list str. fem. corresponds to OFris. lest, OS. list art, wisdom (Du. list fem., cunning), OHG., MHG. list masc., wisdom, art, craft (mod.G. list fem., craft, stratagem), ON. list fem., art, skill (Sw., Da. list), Goth. list-s fem., stratagem, wile:—OTeut. *listi-z, f. root *lĭs- (: lais- in Goth. lais I know): see LEARN v., LORE.] Art, craft, cunning. Also phr. by or with list.
a. 909. Cynewulf, Christ, 1318. Mid hu micle elne æʓhwylc wille þurh ealle list lifes tiliʓan.
a. 1000. Cædmon’s Gen., 588 (Gr.). Lædde hie swa mid liʓenum & mid listum speon idese on þæt unriht.
c. 1205. Lay., 17210. Betere is liste [c. 1275. sleahþe] þene ufel strenðe.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 1527. Swa þe cnotte is icnut … þæt ne mei hit liste ne luðer strengðe nowðer … leowsin.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 172. Ich wolde biȝte bet mid liste, Than thu mid al thine strengthe.
a. 1275. Prov. Ælfred, 638, in O. E. Misc., 136. Of him þu miȝt leren listes and fele þeues.
13[?]. Seuyn Sag. (W.), 2046. This was a dede of queint list.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ix. (Bartholomaeus), 322. He crucifyt wes fyrste & [syne] his skyne of flayne with lyste.
c. 1430. Hymns Virg. (1867), 42. We ben bigilid alle wiþ oure lyst.
