wealy

comparative more wealy · superlative most wealy

1. obsoleteWealthy, strong, vigorous; displaying power or strength.

   A nimble, active, or wealy man; Forte, gagliardo, robuſto; Forte, robuſte; Fuerte, rezio.

   1660, James Hovvell [i.e., James Howell], “Section xxj. The Degrees or differences of Age and Perſons”, in Lexicon Tetraglotton, an English–French–Italian–Spanish Dictionary: […], Printed by J[ohn] G[rismond] for Samuel Thomson […], →OCLC, page 322

   2 more examples

   So that for their wealy riches they be geuen vnto al luſtes / and folowe the deſyers off their owne hertis.

   1534, George Ioye [i.e., George Joye], “Psal. 73: The ſonge of Aſaph”, in Dauids Pſalter, Diligently and Faithfully Trãſlated by George Ioye, with Breif Arguments before Euery Pſalme, Declaringe the Effecte Therof, Antwerp: Maryne Emperowr, page 109a

   To look at him, some might take Mr. Gardner to be a banker, but he is only a barber; and Nini might be taken for a wealy dude, but he is another — .

   1914 May 28, C. C. Apple, “Correspondences”, in The Journeyman Barber, volume 10, number 4, Indianapolis, page 180