a. Obs. Forms: 1 liþebiʓ(e, 3 leoðebeie, leþebei. [OE. leoþu-bíʓe, liþebíʓe:—pre-Engl. *liþubaugjo-, f. liþu- LITH sb.1 + *baugjo-, f. root of BOW v.] Supple-jointed, lissome.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., II. 152. Þa wearð þæt haliʓe lic hal on eorðan ʓemet,… liðe biʓe on limum.
a. 1225. St. Marher., 16. Sei me seli meiden hwonne is te ileanet i þine leoðebeie limen so stalewurðe strencðe.
a. 1275. Prov. Ælfred, 692, in O. E. Misc., 138. Þe lonke mon is leþe bei.
