helde

adv.

‘readily, likely’

(Modern English )

Etymology

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)

Attestation

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].

Bibliography

MED helde (adv.) , EDD helt (adv.), Dance helder, Bj. 167, de Vries heldr, Mag. heldri, Bj-L. heller (1), Heid. haldizan-, Orel *xalðaz