hrēre-mūs

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Hana Videen

hrēre-mūs, f.n: bat. (HRAY-ruh-MOOS / ˈhreː-rə-ˌmuːs)

Medieval manuscript illustration of a hairy brown bat with black outstretched wings and a strangely human nose. — Aberdeen Bestiary; England, c. 1200; Aberdeen University Library, Univ. Lib. MS 24, f. 51v. [abdn.ac.uk]

tiger

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Hana Videen

tiger, n: tiger. (TIH-gur / ˈtɪ-gər)

Medieval manuscript image of a speckled cat-like creature beside a tree, curled around and gazing into a circular mirror, in which it sees its reflection. — Harley Bestiary; SW England (Salisbury?), late 12th-early 13th century; British Library, Harley MS 4751, f. 3v. [bl.uk]

cū

Posted on December 4, 2021 by Hana Videen

cū, f.n: cow. (KOO / ˈkuː)

Medieval manuscript image of a woman milking a brown cow; the cow licks the back of the calf in front of her. — Bestiary; England, 13th century; Bodleian Library, MS Bodl. 764, f. 41v. [digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk]

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]

īor

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Hana Videen

īor, m.n: name of the IA/IO-rune ᛡ; possibly an eel or a fish. The īor rune is a vertical line that bisects an x. (EE-or / ˈiːɔr)

Medieval manuscript illustration of Noah extending his hands toward a dove flying toward him; he stands on a large boat with animal-headed prows, sailing on waters filled with fishes and eels, while on land a raven pecks at an animal carcass. — Psalter; England (Oxford), between 1212 and 1220; Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.43, f. 9r. [ica.themorgan.org]

gærs-swīn

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Hana Videen

gærs-swīn, n.n: ‘grass-swine’, i.e. a swine paid to a lord for the privilege of pasturing swine on his meadows or grassland. (GAERS-SWEEN / ˈgærs-ˌswiːn)

Medieval manuscript image of a mama boar crouching down in the grass, looking at her five babies who look back at her. — Livre de la chasse; France (Paris), c. 1406-7; Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.1044, f. 20v. [ica.themorgan.org]

bridd

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Hana Videen

bridd, m.n: young bird, chick. (BRID / ˈbrɪd)

Medieval manuscript image of the sun, with an angel stretching out his arms above it, surrounded by a flock of multi-coloured birds. — Silos Apocalypse; N Spain, 1091-1109; British Library, Add MS 11695, f. 197r. [bl.uk]

swīn

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Hana Videen

swīn, n.n: pig, swine. (SWEEN / ˈswiːn)

Medieval manuscript image of a sow looking at her three piglets who gaze back lovingly, against a background of floral motifs. — Livre de la chasse; France (Paris), c. 1406-7; Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.1044, f. 1v. [ica.themorgan.org]

hors-croft

Posted on June 11, 2021 by Hana Videen

hors-croft, m.n: small enclosed field or pasture, attached to a dwelling and used for horses. (HORS-KROFT / ˈhɔrs-ˌkrɔft)

Medieval manuscript image of a bluish-gray horse on a gold and red background. — Royal Bestiary; England, c. 1200-c. 1210; British Library, Royal MS 12 C XIX, f. 34r. [bl.uk]

stirc

Posted on May 29, 2021 by Hana Videen

stirc, n.n: calf. (STIRK / ˈstɪrk)

Medieval manuscript image of a mother cow licking the back of her calf who looks at her lovingly. — Bestiary; S England (Salisbury?), 2nd quarter of 13th century; British Library, Harley 4751, f. 23r. [bl.uk]

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