gālsere

Posted on April 7, 2021 by Hana Videen

gālsere, m.n: a lustful man. (GALL-zeh-ruh / ˈgaːl-zɛ-ɹə)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on the Old English maxims. Read it on Patreon.

Medieval manuscript historiated initial V, showing a king in a tower spying on a woman bathing; on top of the initial, two men sit on either side of a fire. — Bohun Psalter & Hours. England (London?), 14th century. British Library, Egerton 3277, f. 53r. [bl.uk]

belced-swēora

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Hana Videen

belced-swēora, adj: swollen-necked, having a neck which is puffed up with pride. (BELL-ched-SWAY-oh-ra / ˈbɛl-tʃɛd-ˌsweːɔ-ɹa)

un-swēte

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Hana Videen

un-swēte, adj: (of taste) bitter, sour; (of smell) offensive, fetid. (UN-SWAY-tuh / ˈʌn-ˌsweː-tə)

hēah-cyning

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Hana Videen

hēah-cyning, m.n: high-king, God. (HAY-ah-KUE-ning / ˈheːax-ˌky-niŋ)

Medieval manuscript image of a winged and haloed man speaking to three haloed women beside a tomb. — Psalter. France (Fécamp), c. 1180. Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, 76 F 13, f. 23r. [manuscripts.kb.nl]

mūþ

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Hana Videen

mūþ, m.n: mouth. (MOOTH / ˈmuːθ)

Medieval manuscript image of Jesus stepping on a devil and guiding a group of naked people out of a flaming hell-mouth. — Psalter of Eleanor of Aquitaine. France (Fécamp), c. 1180. Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, 76 F 13, f. 24v. [commons.wikimedia.org]

wyn-bēam

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Hana Videen

wyn-bēam, m.n: a tree that causes delight (lit. ‘joy-tree’), an epithet of the cross. (WUN-BAY-ahm / ˈwɝn-ˌbeːam)

Medieval manuscript image of a Jesus on a cross with two men on crosses on either side of him. — Picture Bible. France (St Omer), c. 1190-1200. Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, 76 F 5, f. 20v. [manuscripts.kb.nl]

sunwlitigost

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Hana Videen

sunwlitigost, adj: most beautiful with sunshine. (SUN-WLI-ti-gost / ˈsʌn-ˌwlɪ-tɪ-gɔst)

ymb-clyppan

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Hana Videen

ymb-clyppan, wk.v: to embrace. (umb-KLUP-pahn / ɝmb-ˈklɝp-pan)

Happy Hug a Medievalist Day! Send virtual hugs to your favourite medievalists.

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Medieval manuscript image of two monkeys embracing. — Fieschi Psalter. Flemish, late 13th century. The Walters Art Museum, W.45, f. 68v. [thedigitalwalters.org]

hæring

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Hana Videen

hæring, m.n: a herring. (HAE-ring / ˈhæ-ɹɪŋ)

posling

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Hana Videen

posling, m.n: a pill. (POZ-ling / ˈpɔz-lɪŋ)

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