v. Obs. [OE. befléoʓan f. BE- 4 + fléoʓan to FLY, q.v. for forms. (Not separated in ME. from BEFLEE, the pa. tenses being identical.)] trans. a. To fly about. b. To fly from, shun, escape.
a. 890. K. Ælfred, Bæda, III. x. Þa spearcan befluʓon on þæs huses hrof.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 169. Wið þet þe mihte helle pine bi-flien and bi-sunien.
1340. Ayenb., 77. Þe greate filosofes þet þise guodes beuloȝe.
Hence Beflying vbl. sb., shunning, avoiding.
1340. Ayenb., 121. Be þe beuliynge of kueade.
