adv.
‘readily, likely’
(Modern English )Apparently a positive formation based on the comparative ME helder (prob. < ON heldr; see helder (adv.)) (Gordon and Onions 1933: 187-8, followed by EVG, McGee, MED), rather than a lost native comparative form (as Goll).
PGmc Ancestor
*xalð-iz-
Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)
heldr ‘more, rather; very; but, on the contrary; soonest, especially’
(ONP heldr (adv. compar.))
Other Scandinavian Reflexes
Far heldur, Icel heldri, heldur, Norw helder, Dan heller(e), Sw heller, hellre
OE Cognate
cp. heald (adj.) ‘bent, inclined’
Phonological and morphological markers
Summary category
C1c
(C3)
The positive form (MED’s sense (a)) is otherwise cited from John Mirk in ME, and EDD records usage in MnE from Lan. (see further Gordon and Onions 1933: 187-8 on form and usage).
Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus
Pe 1193
Osgood, identifying the word with ON heldr, emends to *helde[r].