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fægrian

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Hana Videen

fægrian, wk.v: to make (something) beautiful, beautify, adorn (something); to become beautiful. (FAE-gri-ahn / ˈfæ-grɪ-an)

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Medieval manuscript illustration in the midst of Old English and Latin writing showing an arc of red, blue, purple and red, below which is a group of people, a man on his knees labelled Noe and a haloed man gesturing with two fingers outstretched.
Old English Hexateuch; England (Canterbury), 11th/12th century; British Library, Cotton MS Claudius B IV, f. 16v. [imagesonline.bl.uk]
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god-gyld

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Hana Videen

god-gyld, n.n: image of a (heathen) god, idol; heathen rite or ceremony. (GOD-YUELD / ˈgɔd-ˌgyld)

Posted in religion Leave a comment

cǣggian

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Hana Videen

cǣggian, wk.v: to lock, shut fast. (KAG-gi-ahn / ˈkæːg-gɪ-an)

Medieval manuscript image of a crowned figure with outstretched wings holding a large key to the chest of a young man who raises his hands out of the way.
God of Love locking the heart of a lover in Roman de la Rose; France (Paris), c. 1350; Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.324, f. 15r. [ica.themorgan.org]
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and-wīg

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Hana Videen

and-wīg, n.n: resistance. (OND-WEE / ˈand-ˌwiːj)

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sārig-cirm

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Hana Videen

sārig-cirm, m.n: lamentation, mourning. (SAH-rih-CHIRM / ˈsaː-rɪj-ˌtʃɪrm)

Medieval manuscript image of a person seated on the ground between two trees brushing tears from their face and wearing torn-up clothing.
Roman de la Rose; France (Paris), third quarter of the 14th century; The Hague, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, MMW 10 B 29, f. 3r. [wellcomecollection.org]
Posted in emotions, sounds + music Leave a comment

eft-spellung

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Hana Videen

eft-spellung, f.n: a recapitulation. (EFT-SPELL-lung / ˈɛft-ˌspɛl-lʌŋ)

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sār-wilm

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Hana Videen

sār-wilm, m.n: a painful burning; a feverish heat. (SAHR-WILM / ˈsaːr-ˌwɪlm)

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ōhsta

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Hana Videen

ōhsta, m.n: armpit. (O-hsta / ˈoːx-sta)

Medieval manuscript illustration of a naked person’s arm, bent at the elbow and hand in the air, the armpit slightly exposed; the image is cropped but there appear to be a couple of knives stuck into the person.
Wound Man; S Germany, c. 1485; Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cgm 597, f. 244r. [daten.sammlungen-digitale.de]
Posted in body + health 2 Comments

wēnunga

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Hana Videen

wēnunga, adv: perhaps, by chance. (WAY-nung-ga / ˈweː-nʌŋ-ga)

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heofon-flōd

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Hana Videen

heofon-flōd, m.n: flood (caused by heavy rain). (HEH-oh-von-FLOAD / ˈhɛɔ-vɔn-ˌfloːd)

Medieval manuscript image of Noah’s Ark floating in the flood waters; Noah, his wife and a variety of animals and birds are visible through the windows.
Bible historiale; France, c. 1400; British Library, Harley 4381, f. 12r. [inthemedievalmiddle.com]

Posted in water Leave a comment

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