snȳtan

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Hana Videen

snȳtan, v: to clear the nose. (SNUH-tahn)

In a bestiary, a stag sucking a snake out of its burrow with its nostrils. England, c. 1200-1210. London, British Library, Royal MS 12 C. xix, f. 23r. [bl.uk]

cweorn-tēþ

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Hana Videen

cweorn-tēþ, m.n: molar teeth, grinders. (KWEH-orn-TAYTH)

ēar-clǣnsend

Posted on July 20, 2019 by Hana Videen

ēar-clǣnsend, m.n: the ear-cleanser, the little finger. Also called ēar-finger. (AY-ar-KLAN-zend / AY-ar-FIN-yer)

ælf-siden

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Hana Videen

ælf-siden, f.n: influence or enchantment of elves, referring to an affliction of uncertain identity thought to be caused by supernatural agency and attended by fever. (ALF-sih-den)

hin-gang

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Hana Videen

hin-gang, m.n: a going hence, departure, death. (HIN-gong)

Historiated initial ‘C'(imiteria) of a cemetery in James le Palmer’s *Omne Bonum*. England (London), c. 1360-c. 1375. British Library, Royal 6 E VI, f. 267v. [bl.uk]

lǣce-hūs

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Hana Videen

lǣce-hūs, n.n: a hospital, building where the sick or injured are cared for. (LATCH-eh-HOOS)

James le Palmer’s *Omne Bonum*. England (London), c. 1360-c. 1375. London, British Library, Royal 6 E VI, f. 70. [medievalists.net]

ellen-sīoc

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Hana Videen

ellen-sīoc, adj: infirm or languid from want of strength, deprived of strength, powerless (lit. ‘strength-sick’). (EL-len-ZEE-ock)

The caladrius bird looks toward the sick man, indicating that he will recover. Bestiaire of Guillaume le Clerc. France, 13th century. Bibliothèque Municipale de Lyon, MS P.A. 78, f. 36r. [numelyo.bm-lyon.fr]

brēost-sefa

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Hana Videen

brēost-sefa, m.n: heart, mind, innermost thought. (BRAY-ost-SEV-ah)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Romance of Alexander in French verse, with illuminations by the Flemish illuminator Jehan de Grise & his workshop, 1338-1344. Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, MS. Bodl. 264, f. 59r. [image.ox.ac.uk]

mid-hrif

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Hana Videen

mid-hrif, n.n: the midriff; the diaphragm, separating the heart from the stomach, etc.; also the entrails. (MID-HRIF)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on insult contests, or flyting. Read it on Patreon.

hāsian

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Hana Videen

hāsian, wk.v: to grow hoarse. (HA-zee-on)

Old English Wordhord

Old English Word of the Day

Category Archives: body + health