Obs. Forms: 4 lotebi, ludby, lut(t)by, 4–5 loteby, 5 lotby. [f. LOTE v.1 + BY adv.] A lover, a paramour.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 1731. But þere þe wyfe haunteþ foly Undyr here husbande a ludby, Comunly she wyl neuere blynne.
13[?]. Seuyn Sag. (W.), 1443. Sche stal awai … And wente to here lotebi.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 82. When scho left Criste hir leve luttby, And toke hir to a synfull man.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. III. 146. To holde lemmons and lotebyes al heor lyf-dayes.
c. 1425. Seven Sag. (P.), 2148. Anothyr lotby scho nam.
1426. Audelay, Poems, 5. He wold here selle that he had boȝt,… And takys to hym a loteby.
