glīw-word

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Hana Videen

glīw-word, n.n: word of a song; song, poem. (GLEE-ew-WORD / ˈgliːw-ˌwɔrd)

Medieval manuscript image of a woman seated on a bench, head tilted to the side, playing a harp that rests in her lap. — Gerald of Wales’s Topographia Hibernica; England (Lincoln?), c. 1196-1223; British Library, Royal MS 13 B VIII, f. 26r. [bl.uk]

belle

Posted on December 24, 2022 by Hana Videen

belle, f.n: bell. (BELL-uh / ˈbɛl-lə)

Medieval manuscript image of a king striking two bells, with a mallet in each hand, that hang above the bench where he sits. — Gospel Lectionary; France (Paris), late 13th century; British Library, Add MS 17341, f. 6v. [bl.uk]

gōian

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Hana Videen

gōian, wk.v: to sigh, groan, lament. (GO-i-ahn / ˈgoː-ɪ-an)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on leather-working in early medieval England. Read it on Patreon.

gyllan

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Hana Videen

gyllan, str.v: (of birds) to make a loud cry, to screech; (of wolves or dogs) to bay, howl; (of inanimate objects) to make a strident, grating, or crashing noise; to yell, utter a loud cry. (YUEL-lahn / ˈjyl-lan)

hlūd-swēge

Posted on September 4, 2022 by Hana Videen

hlūd-swēge, adv: loudly. (H’LOOD-SWAY-uh / ˈhluːd-ˌsweː-jə)

glīw-bēam

Posted on July 16, 2022 by Hana Videen

glīw-bēam, m.n: musical instrument (glee-wood), possibly a harp, drum, timbrel or tambourine. (GLEE-ew-BAY-ahm / ˈgliːw-ˌbeːam)

Medieval illuminated initial N, inside of which a surprised cow sitting on its haunches plays the harp with its two front hooves. — Complete Latin Bible, 12th century; Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal, MS 4, f. 155v. [gallica.bnf.fr]

glīw

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Hana Videen

glīw, n.n: glee, joy, mirth; amusement, entertainment; music. (GLEE-ew / ˈgliːw)

hweoðerung

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Hana Videen

hweoðerung, f.n: murmuring. (HWEH-oth-eh-rung / ˈhwɛɔ-θɛ-rʌŋ)

hlosnian

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Hana Videen

hlosnian, wk.v: to listen, hear, pay attention. (H’LOSS-ni-ahn / ˈhlos-nɪ-an)

Did you know there’s an audiobook of The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English? Available from Princeton Audio in the US and Canada, read by the talented Sara Powell. Find out more.