word-hord

word-hord, n.n: a word-hoard, a store of words. (WORD-HORD / ˈwɔrd-ˌhɔrd)

Today is a word-of-the-day redux from 2,731 days (and words) ago. I try not to repeat words, but I’m making an exception today because of a special announcement.

My book The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English will be published exactly six months from today!

Find out more and pre-order at oldenglishwordhord.com/book.

The Wordhord will be published in the UK by Profile Books on 11 November 2021.

Ever been to neorxnawang (paradise)? Or heard of a gafol-fisc (tax-fish)? Or spoken a word (word)? Discover the magic of Old English... coming November 2021.

līc

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Hana Videen

līc, n.n: a body (living or dead – generally the latter). (LEECH / ˈliːtʃ)

Medieval manuscript illustrations of two people (one of whom is grey like a corpse) stealing bones from an open tomb containing a partially visible skeleton; a Latin inscription in red ink below the image identifies it as the tomb of John the Baptist. — Taymouth Hours; England (London?), 14th century; British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13, f. 109r. [bl.uk]

heoloþ-helm

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Hana Videen

heoloþ-helm, m.n: helmet which makes the wearer invisible, helmet of deception. (HEH-oh-loth-HELM / ˈhɛɔ-lɔθ-ˌhɛlm)

cat

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Hana Videen

cat, m.n: cat. (KAHT / ˈkat)

Medieval manuscript with Latin writing and two black cats walking across a blue inset rectangle; the first cat’s tail extends straight up into the text, and both cats’ paws descend into the text below. — Bestiary; England, 13th century; Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 533, f. 13r. [digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk]

munt-ælfen

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Hana Videen

munt-ælfen, f.n: mountain elf, mountain nymph. (MUNT-AL-ven / ˈmʌnt-ˌæl-vɛn)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on elves and the quirks of lexicographers. Read it on Patreon.

wǣd

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Hana Videen

wǣd, f/n.n: article of dress, garment; (in plural) clothing. (WADD / ˈwæːd)

Medieval manuscript illustration of a barefoot man wearing raggedy shorts and cloak, midriff exposed, holding a stick with a face in one hand and a round bread loaf in the other; he looks out from behind the bread with a concerned expression on his face, a small dog looking up at him. — Guyart des Moulins’ Bible historiale; France (Paris), 1356-7; British Library, Royal MS 17 E VII vol 1, f. 241r. [bl.uk]

ge-sceap

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Hana Videen

ge-sceap, n.n: creation, created being or thing, creature; fate, destiny; form, shape. (yeh-SHEH-op / jɛ-ˈʃɛap)

Medieval manuscript illustration of God creating the world: from behind a circle with wavy blue lines and a haloed bird, a long haired, bearded man with halo reaches out his arms; he manipulates various tools in his outstretched hands and closed mouth. — Tiberius Psalter; England (Winchester), 11th/12th century; British Library, Cotton MS Tiberius C VI, f. 7v. [bl.uk]

drēor

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Hana Videen

drēor, m.n: blood. (DRAY-or / ˈdreːɔr)

hell

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Hana Videen

hell, f.n: the abode of the dead, underworld in which the spirits of the departed dwell; the hell of the damned, place of eternal punishment for evil human beings and angels. (HELL / ˈhɛl)