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.

heofon-bȳme

Posted on April 12, 2022 by Hana Videen

heofon-bȳme, f.n: heavenly trumpet. (HEH-oh-von-BUE-muh / ˈhɛɔ-vɔn-ˌbyː-mə)

Medieval manuscript illustration of an orange-winged angel emerging from a cloud while playing a long golden trumpet; below a row of nine people stand with rather concerned expressions on their faces. — The Welles Apocalypse; England, c. 1310; British Library, Royal MS 15 D II, f. 151r. [bl.uk]

wōþ

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Hana Videen

wōþ, f.n: voice, song, speech. (WOATH / ˈwoːθ)

wīg-cirm

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Hana Videen

wīg-cirm, m.n: the din of battle. (WEE-CHIRM / ˈwiː-ˌtʃɪrm)

Medieval manuscript image of angels in heaven hurling spears and axes and shooting arrows down at a group of soldiers below; God points to the angels, as if directing them, and another group of men marches towards the battle with spears. — Eadwine Psalter; England (Canterbury), c. 1150; Trinity College Cambridge, MS R.17.1, f. 6v. [mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk]

gamen-wudu

Posted on August 30, 2021 by Hana Videen

gamen-wudu, m.n: harp (merriment-wood). (GAH-men-WUH-duh / ˈga-mɛn-ˌwʌ-dʌ)⁠

A green-winged angel playing a golden harp in the margin of a medieval manuscript. — Maastricht Hours; Netherlands (Liège), early 14th century; British Library, Stowe MS 17, f. 21v. [bl.uk]

swin

Posted on July 3, 2021 by Hana Videen

swin, m.n: sound, melody. (SWIN / ˈswɪn)

Medieval manuscript image of a caped man playing the viol, wearing one red stocking and one yellow one. — Gradual (a book of chants); France (Toulouse), 2nd half of the 11th century; British Library, Harley MS 4951, f. 297v. [bl.uk]

þoterian

Posted on June 22, 2021 by Hana Videen

þoterian, wk.v: to howl, wail, cry out. (THO-teh-ri-ahn / ˈθɔ-tɛ-rɪ-an)

Medieval manuscript image of an open-mouthed grey wolf with her two small cubs. — Wolf and cubs in a bestiary; N France, 13th century; Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 6838B, f. 11r. [visualiseur.bnf.fr]

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