Obs. Forms: 3–4 belami, 3–6 belamy, 4 bele amys, 7 bellamy. [a. F. bel ami (nom. sing. amis) fair friend.] Fair friend, good friend (esp. as a form of address).
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 306. O, belami, þis þu dudest.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 3253. I suffre, sere, bele amys.
c. 1400. Ywaine & Gaw., 278. What ertow, belamy?
c. 1460. Towneley Myst. 127. Welcom be thou, belamy!
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. vii. 52. To the fayre Critias, his dearest belamy!
1689. Baxter, Cain & Abel Malig., Wks. 1830, X. 493. True Protestants (such as the pseudo-bellamy in Philanax Anglicus hatefully calleth Protestants off sincerity).
