Obs. Forms: 1 cwyde, 1–2 cwide, 3 quede, queðe, 3–4 quide, 4 qwede. [OE. cwide (cwyde) = OS. quidi, OHG. quidi, chwiti, etc., ON. kviðr verdict:—OTeut. *kwiđi-z, f. the root *kweþ- to say, QUETHE.]
1. A saying, speech, statement.
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., III. § 4. Is þis nu se cwide þe þu me ʓeo sædest?
c. 1080. O. E. Chron. (Parker MS.), an. 1070. Se ar’b … mid strangan cwydan þæt ylce ʓefæstnode.
c. 1205. Lay., 9141. Hit wes ȝare iqueðen, Þa quides beoð nu soðe.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 685. Alvered seide of olde quide [etc.].
b. A promise. rare–1.
c. 1250. Gen. & Exod., 1463. He bad god … ðat he sulde fillen ðat quede, ðe he abraham quilum dede.
2. A will, legacy, bequest.
955. in Thorpe, Diplom., 500/1. Ðis is Byrhtrices & Ælfswyðe his wifes nihsta cwide. Þe hi cwædon … on heora maʓa ʓewitnesse.
a. 1050. Liber Scintill., xliv. (1889), 146. On cwyde þinum læf þearfum.
c. 1205. Lay., 14857. Ich forȝiue ælchere widewe hire lauerdes quide.
13[?]. K. Alis., 8020. To have theo kyngis qwede, Muche bataile was heom myde.
