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munt-ælfen

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Hana Videen

munt-ælfen, f.n: mountain elf, mountain nymph. (MUNT-AL-ven / ˈmʌnt-ˌæl-vɛn)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on elves and the quirks of lexicographers. Read it on Patreon.

Posted in magic + supernatural, wordhord book Leave a comment

wǣd

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Hana Videen

wǣd, f/n.n: article of dress, garment; (in plural) clothing. (WADD / ˈwæːd)

Medieval manuscript illustration of a barefoot man wearing raggedy shorts and cloak, midriff exposed, holding a stick with a face in one hand and a round bread loaf in the other; he looks out from behind the bread with a concerned expression on his face, a small dog looking up at him.
Guyart des Moulins’ Bible historiale; France (Paris), 1356-7; British Library, Royal MS 17 E VII vol 1, f. 241r. [bl.uk]
Posted in things to wear, wordhord book Leave a comment

ge-sceap

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Hana Videen

ge-sceap, n.n: creation, created being or thing, creature; fate, destiny; form, shape. (yeh-SHEH-op / jɛ-ˈʃɛap)

Medieval manuscript illustration of God creating the world: from behind a circle with wavy blue lines and a haloed bird, a long haired, bearded man with halo reaches out his arms; he manipulates various tools in his outstretched hands and closed mouth.
Tiberius Psalter; England (Winchester), 11th/12th century; British Library, Cotton MS Tiberius C VI, f. 7v. [bl.uk]
Posted in hord highlights, wordhord book Leave a comment

drēor

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Hana Videen

drēor, m.n: blood. (DRAY-or / ˈdreːɔr)

Posted in body + health, deorhord book, hord highlights, wordhord book Leave a comment

hell

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Hana Videen

hell, f.n: hell. (HELL / ˈhɛl)

Illustration in a circular frame: St Bartholomew hands a scourge to St Guthlac, who is being dragged into a monstrous hell mouth by winged and horned demons; other people are already being tortured by demons inside the hell mouth.
Guthlac Roll; England (Crowland, Lincolnshire), 1175-1215; British Library, Harley Y 6, f. 8r. [bl.uk]
Posted in deorhord book, places, religion, wordhord book Leave a comment

lēas-bregd

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Hana Videen

lēas-bregd, m.n: deceit, fraud, trick, cheat, wile. (LAY-ahs-BREYD / ˈleːas-ˌbrɛjd)

Patrons, don’t forget to send your word requests for Goldgifa Week! Find out more on Patreon.

Posted in etc Leave a comment

līðan

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Hana Videen

līðan, adj: to go (generally by sea), sail. (LEE-than / ˈliː-θan)

Medieval manuscript image of two men on a sailboat with a giant fish flying overhead. Both men are pointing at the fish: one man, seated, holds the rudder, while the other clutches the bow.
Worksop Bestiary; England (Lincoln? York?), c. 1185; Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.81, f. 69r. [ica.themorgan.org]
Posted in travel + trade, wordhord book Leave a comment

snǣd-mǣlum

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Hana Videen

snǣd-mǣlum, adv: by bits, a bit at a time. (SNAED-MAE-lum / ˈsnæːd-ˌmæː-lʌm)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on King Alfred, over-eater and bread-burner. Read it on Patreon.

Posted in measuring Leave a comment

nacod

Posted on October 12, 2021 by Hana Videen

nacod, adj: naked, bare. (NA-kod / ˈna-kɔd)

Medieval manuscript image of two women clothed in long dresses observing a red-winged horse flying over nine women in an outdoor bath; the bathing women are naked except for the wimples on their heads.
Christine de Pizan’s ‘Le Livre du chemin de long estude’ in the Book of the Queen; France, c.1410-c.1414; British Library, Harley MS 4431, f. 183r. [bl.uk]
Posted in body + health Leave a comment

micel-ǣte

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Hana Videen

micel-ǣte, adj: eating much, gluttonous. (MIH-chell-AE-tuh / ˈmɪ-tʃɛl-ˌæː-tə)

Medieval manuscript image of a two faced man sitting at a table; one mouth is drinking from a goblet, while the other is eating.
Ruskin Hours; NE France, c. 1300; J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 3, f. 2v. [getty.edu]
Posted in body + health, food + drink Leave a comment

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