v. Obs. Also 3 biwelden, 45 by-, bewelde, 6 bewylde. [ME. biwelden, f. bi-, BE- 2 + welden, to WIELD.] trans. To hold in hand, rule, control, manage, handle, wield. refl. To use ones limbs.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 25. Þe holie þremnesse þe shop and biwalt alle shafte.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 377 (MS. Harl. 3490). And may my selven nought bewelde, What for sikenesse and what for elde.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 99/1. Thyse ii toke of theyr clothes to thende that they myght better & lyghtlyer bywelde them to stone hym.
1494. Fabyan, V. cxxviii. 110. To bewelde his lande when his fader dyed.
1530. Palsgr., 453/2. I bewylde my selfe, I styrre my selfe.
1577. Harrison, Descr. Brit., v. (R.). Gerards staffe which no man can beweld.