v. str. Obs. [f. A- pref. + OE. wealdan, waldan (see WALD v.); prob. a later parallel formation to the old anw(e)ald, onw(e)ald sb. ‘power, dominion’; or for OE. ʓewealdan. Cf. the weak AWELD, some of the forms of which in EE. are scarcely distinguishable from those of this verb.] To have control of; to wield. (Orig. governing genitive.)
c. 1205. Lay., 23734. Ure drihten þe alle domes awalt [1250 weldeþ].
c. 1220. Leg. St. Kath., 652. Aweald þurh þi wisdom hare worldliche wit.
c. 1305. St. Edm., 335, in E. E. P., 80. As stif as enie bord hire honden bicome … heo ne miȝte hem awolde noȝt.
