-leweME.suffix, OE.-lǽwe, forming a few adjectives: OE.hungorlǽwe, ME.chekelewe, chokelewe, costlewe, drunk(e)lewe, gastlewe, siklewe, thurstlewe. The general sense is ‘affected by, liable to, or characterized by’ (something undesirable); in some of the instances above there are parallel and synonymous formations in -ly1. The etymology is obscure, no corresponding suffix being known in any other Teut.lang.; connexion with Goth.lêw, occasion, may be suspected; cf. also lew a.21433Lydg.St. Edmund ii. 223 His wounde bloody, his face ded and pale, His eyen gastlewh reuersid bothe tweyne.