A—(corrupted from A.-S.on) signifiesin,on,at: as abed, aboard, aside, aback; and gives the adverbial form to adjectives, as in aloud, aboard.
Be—gives a transitive signification, as in bespeak. It is sometimes intensive, as in bestir, and converts an adjective into a verb, as in bedim.Be, as a form ofby, also denotes proximity, as in beside: as bystander.
For10—means privation, or opposition: as forbear, forbid, forget.
Fore—before: as foretell, forebode.
Mis—error,wrongness: as mistake, misstate, misinform.
N—has a negative signification, as in many languages: thus, never, neither, none.
Off—from offspring.
Out—beyond: as outdo, outlaw.
Over—above: as overhang, overflow, overturn.
To—in to-day, to-morrow.
Un—not,the reverse: as, unskilled, unlearned.
Under—beneath: as undermine.
With—against(Germanwider): as withstand.
Ar,ard,er,yer,ster11—signifyingagentordoer; as in beggar, drunkard, beginner, lawyer, spinster.Erforms verbs of adjectives, as lower, from low, and also forms the comparatives of adjectives.
Ess, as in songstress, is borrowed from the French.
Dom,ship,ric,wic—fromdom, judgment;ship, shape or condition;ric,rice, power;wic, a dwelling—signify state, condition, quality, etc., as in kingdom, friendship, bishopric, Berwick.
El,kin(=chen, German),let(from French),ling,ock—have adiminutiveeffect, as in manikin, streamlet, youngling, hillock, cockerel.
En—adjective termination, as wooden, from wood; it also converts adjectives into verbs, as deepen from deep.
Fold—fromfealdan, to fold; a numeral termination, likeple, from the Latinplico, I fold.
Ful—full; truthful.
Hood,ness—of uncertain derivation, signify state, etc., as in priesthood, righteousness.
Ish—isc(Saxon),isch(German), denotes a quality; like rakish, knavish, churlish, Danish.Ishis also employed as a diminutive—blackish.
Less—loss: as penniless, hopeless.
Likeandly—like;lic(A.-S.): as warlike, manly.
Some—sum(A.-S.),sam(German), lonesome, handsome.
Teen—ten, as in fourteen.
Ty—fromtig(A.-S ), ten;zig(German), as in six-ty.Teenadds ten—tymultiplies by ten.
Ward—weard,wärts(German),versus(Latin), against, direction, towards; downward, eastward.
Wise—wisa, manner; likewise.
Y—ig, an adjective termination;dreorig(A.-S.), dreary.
The pronunciation of Anglo-Saxon is much nearer to that of modern German or the Continental pronunciation of Latin than of modern English.
The letters of the alphabet wanting in Anglo-Saxon are:j,k,q,v, andz.Kis commonly represented byc; thus,cyning(king) is pronouncedkining;cyrtel,kirtle;quis represented bycw, ascwic,quick;cwen,queen;cwellan, toquell;this represented by two peculiar characters, one of which in its reduced form resemblesy, as inye olden times, whereyeshould be pronouncedthe, and notye, as is often ignorantly done.
Long vowels should be carefully distinguished from short vowels. Long vowels areaasfar,aeas infare,eas inthey,ias inpique,oas inbone,uas inrule,yas ini(nearly). Short vowels areaas infast,aeas inman,eas inmen,ias inpin,oas inGod,uas infull,yas ini(nearly).
In the diphthongsea,eo, andie, the first element receives the stress; the second is pronounced very lightly.
There are no silent letters in Anglo-Saxon as in modern English. The vowel of every syllable is pronounced, and in difficult combinations of consonants, as inhlud, loud,cniht, knight,cnif, knife, each consonant has its distinct sound.
Ebeforeaandohas the sound ofyas a consonant;ibeforeeanduhas the same sound: thus,Earl=yarl;eow=you;iett=yett; andiúgoth=yúgoth, youth.
ac,an oak—oak, oaken.acsian,to inquire—ask.æcer,a field—acre, acreage.ær,before—early, ere, erelong, erst.aft,hind-part—after, abaft.ágan,to have—owe, own, owner, ought, disown.arisan,to arise—raise, rise, rouse.bácan,to bake—baker, bakery, bakehouse, batch.bæc,back—backbite, backslide, backward, aback.bælg,a bag.bald,bold, brave—bold, boldness.bána,death—bane, baneful, henbane.banc,a bank or raised place—bank, banker, bankrupt, bankruptcy, bench, embankment.beacnian,to beckon—beck, beckon, beacon.bellan,to roar—bawl, bellow.beorgan,to protect—borough, borrow, burgh, burglar, burrow, harbinger, harbor, berth.beorht,bright—bright.beran,to bear, to bring forth—barrow, bear, bier, birth.bidan,to wait—abide.biddan,to pray,to bid—bid, bidding, bead, beadsman, beadle, forbid, unbidden.bindan,to bind—band, bond, bondage, bundle.blæc,pale—bleach, bleacher, bleak, bleakness.blawan,to blow—blade, bladder, blast, blaze, blazon, blister, blossom, blow, blush, bluster.bletsian,to bless—bless, blessing.brád,broad—broad, breadth, board, aboard.brécan,to break—bray (to pound), breach, breaker, breakfast, brink, broken.breost,the breast—breast, breastplate, breastwork, abreast.breówan,to brew—brew, brewer, brewery.brucan,to use—broker, brokerage, brook (to endure).buan,to cultivate—boor, boorish, neighbor, neighborhood.bugan,to bow or bend—bay, bight, bough, bow, buxom, elbow.byldan,to design,to make—build, builder, building.byrnan,to burn—brand, brandish, brandy, brimstone, brown, brunt, auburn, firebrand.cælan,to cool—chill, chilblain.ceapian,to buy—cheap, cheapen, cheapness, chaffer, chapman.cénnan,to produce—kin, kind, kindness, kindred, akin, mankind.ceorl,a churl—carle, churlish.clæne,clean—clean, cleanly, cleanliness, cleanse, unclean.cláth,cloth—clothe, clothier, clothing, clad, unclad.cleófan,to cleave;clifian,to adhere—cleaver, cliff, clover, club.cnafa,a boy—knave, knavery.cnáwan,to know—knowledge, acknowledge, foreknow, unknown.cnyll,a loud noise—knell.cnyttan,to knit—knitting, knot, knotty, net, network.cracian,to crack;cearcian,to creak—crack, crackle, creak, cricket, croak, screech, shriek.cuman,to come—comely, comeliness, become, overcome, welcome.cunnan,to know,to be powerful—can, con, cunning, keen.cwellan,to slay—kill, quell.dæg,a day—dawn, daylight, day-star, daisy = day's eye.dǽl,a part—deal, dole, ordeal.déman,to think—deem.deor,a wild animal—deer.deore,dusky or black—dark, darken, darkly, darkness.dic,a dyke—dig, ditch, ditcher.disc,a plate—desk, disc, dish.dóm,judgment—doom, doomsday.dón,to do—doer, deed, undo.dragan,to draw—drag, draggle, drain, draught, draughtsman, draw, dray.drifan,to drive—drift, driver, drove.drigan,to dry—drysalter, drought, drug (originallydried plants), druggist.drincan,to suck in—drench, drink, drunk, drunkard, drunken.drypan,to drip or drop—drip, drop, droop, dribble, drivel.dwinan,to pine—dwindle, dwine.dyn,a noise—din, dun.eage,the eye—eye, eyeball, eye-bright, eyelid.eald,old—alderman, earl.efen,just—even, evenness.erian,to plough,to ear—earth, earthy, earthquake.faeger,bright—fair, fairness.fáer,fear—fearful, fearless.faran,to go—fare, farewell, ferry, ford, seafaring, wayfarer.fedan,to feed—feed, feeder, fodder, food, father, fatherly.feond,an enemy—fiend, fiendish.fleógan,to fly—flag, flake, fledge, flee, flicker, flight.fleótan,to float—float, fleet.flówan,to flow—flood, flow.folgian,to go after—follow.fón,to seize—fang, finger.fót,the foot—foot, fetter, fetlock.freón,to love—free, freedom, friend, friendship.fretan,to gnaw—fret, fretful.fugel,a bird—fowl, fowler, fowling-piece.fúl,unclean—filth, filthy, foul, fulsome.fullian,to whiten—full (to scour and thicken cloth in a mill), fuller, fuller's-earth.fýr,fire—fiery, fireworks, bonfire.gabban,to mock—gabble, gibe, gibberish, jabber.galan,to sing—nightingale.gangan,to go—gang, gangway.gást,a ghost—gas, ghastly, ghost, ghostly, aghast.geard,an enclosure—garden, orchard, yard.geotan,to pour—gush, gut.gerefa,a governor—grieve (an overseer), sheriff, sheriffdom.getan,to get—get, beget, begotten, forget, forgetful.gifan,to give—give, gift, forgive, forgiveness, misgive, unforgiven.glowan,to glow—glow, glowing.gód,good—gospel, gossip.græs,grass—grass, graze, grazier.grafan,to dig—grave, graver, graft, groove, grove, grub, engrave.grapian,to grapple;grípan,to gripe;gropian,to grope—grapple, grapnel, gripe, grope, group, grovel.greot,dust—gritty, groats.grówan,to grow—grow, growth.grúnd,the ground—ground, groundless, groundsel, groundwork.habban,to have—have, haft, behave, behavior, misbehave.hæge,a hedge—haw, hawthorn.hæl,sound,whole—hail, hale, heal, health, healthful, healthy, holy, holiness, whole, wholesome.hám,a dwelling—hamlet, home, homely, homeliness.hangian,to hang—hang, hanger, hinge, unhinge, overhang.hát,heat—heat, heater, hot.healdan,to hold—halt, halter, hilt, hold, behold, uphold, upholsterer, withhold.heard,hard—harden, hardihood, hardship, hardware, hardy.hebban,to lift—heap, heave, heaven, heavy, upheaval.hédan,to heed—heed, heedful, heedfulness, heedless, heedlessness.heorte,the heart—hearten, heartless, hearty, heartburn, heart's-ease, dishearten.hláf,bread—loaf.hleapan,to leap—leap, overleap, elope, elopement.hol,a hole—hole, hold (of a ship), hollow, hollowness.hristlan,to make quick sounds—rustle, rustling.huntian,to rush—hunt, hunter, huntsman.hús,house—housewife, husband, hustings.hweorfan,to turn—swerve, wharf.hýran,to hear—hear, hearer, hearsay.lǽdan,to lead—lead, leader, loadstar, loadstone, mislead.læfan,to leave—left, eleven, twelve.lǽran,to teach—learn, learner, learning, lore, unlearned.lang,long—long, length, lengthen, lengthy, linger.lecgan,to lay—lay, layer, lair, law, lawful, lawless, lea, ledge, ledger, lie, low, lowly, outlaw.leofian,lybban,to live—live, lively, livelihood, livelong, alive, outlive.leoht,light—lighten, lightsome, lighthouse, enlighten.líc,like—like, likely, likelihood, likeness, likewise, unlike.locian,to stretch forward—look.loma,utensils,furniture—loom, hand-loom, power-loom.losian,to lose—lose, loser, loss.lúf,love;lufian,to love—lover, lovely, loveliness, lief, beloved, unlovely.lyfan,to permit—leave (permission), belief, believe, believer, misbelieve.lyft,the air—loft, lofty, aloft.macian,to make—make, maker, match, matchless, mate, inmate.mængan,to mix—among, mingle, commingle, intermingle, mongrel.magan,to be able—may, might, mighty, main, mainland, dismay.mearc,a boundary—mark, marksman, marches, remark.metan,to measure—meet, meeting, meet (fit), meetness.mund,a defence—mound.murnan,to murmur—mourn, mourner, mournful.mynd,the mind—mind, mindful, mindfulness, remind.næs,a nose—naze, ness.nama,a name—name, nameless, namesake, misname.nead,need—need, needful, needless, needs, needy.neah,nigh—near, next, neighbor.niht,night—night, nightfall, nightless, nightmare, nightshade.oga,dread—ugly, ugliness.pæth,a path—pathless, pathway, footpath.plegan,to exercise,to sport—play, player, playful, playmate.ræcan,to reach—reach, overreach, rack, rack-rent.rǽdan,to read—read, readable, reader, reading, riddle.read,red—red, redden, ruddy.reafian,to seize—bereave, bereavement, raven, ravenous, rive, rob, robber, robbery, rove, rover.recan,to heed—reck, reckless, recklessness, reckon, reckoning.rídan,to ride—ride, rider, road, roadster, roadstead.rinnan,to run—run, runner, runaway, outrun.ripan,to reap—reap, reaper, ripe, ripen, ripeness, unripe.ruh,rough—rough, roughness.sægan,to say—say, saying, hearsay, unsay.sar,painful—sore, soreness, sorrow, sorrowful, sorry.scacan,to shake—shake, shaky, shock, shocking.sceadan,to shade—shade, shady, shadow, shed (a covered enclosure).scedan,to scatter,to shed—shed (to spill), watershed.sceofan,to push—shove, shovel, scuffle, shuffle, sheaf.sceótan,to shoot—shoot, shot, sheet, shut, shutter, shuttle, overshoot, undershot, upshot.scéran,to cut—scar, scarf, score, share, sharp, shear, sheriff, shire.scínan,to shine—sheen, outshine, moonshine, sunshine.screopan,to creak—scrape, scraper, swap, scrap-book.scrob,a bush—shrub, shrubbery.scyppan,to form—shape, shapeless, landscape.sellan,to give—sale, sell, sold.seon,to see—see, seer, sight, foresee, oversee, unsightly, gaze.settan,to set;sittan,to sit—set, setter, settle, settler, settlement, set, beset, onset, outset, upset.síde,side—side, sideboard, aside, beside, inside, outside, upside.singan,to sing—sing, singer, song.slæc,slack—slack, slackness, slow, sloth, slothful, sluggard, sluggish.sleán,to slay—slay, slaughter, sledge (a heavy hammer).slidan,to slide—slide, sled, sledge.slipan,to glide—slip, slipper, slippery, slipshod.smitan,to smite—smite, smiter, smith, smithy.snican,to creep—snake, sneak.socc,a shoe—sock, socket.soft,soft—soften, softly, softness.soth,true—sooth, soothsayer.specan,to speak—speak, speaker, speech, bespeak.spell,a message—spell (discourse), gospel.spinnan,to spin—spinner, spider.stán,a stone—stony, stoneware.standan,to stand—standard, understand, understanding, withstand.steall,a place—stall, forestall, install, pedestal.steorfan,to die—starve, starvation, starveling.stician,to stick—stake, stick, stickle, stickleback, sting, stitch, stock, stockade, stocking.stigan,to ascend—stair, staircase, stile, stirrup, sty.streccan,to stretch—stretch, stretcher, straight, straighten, straightness, outstretch, overstretch.stýran,to steer—steer, steerage, steersman, stern (the hind part of a ship), astern.stýrian,to stir—stir, bestir.súr,sour—sour, sourish, sourness, sorrel, surly, surliness.swerian,to swear—swear, swearer, forswear, answer, unanswered.swét,sweet—sweet, sweetbread, sweeten, sweetmeat, sweetness.táecan,to show, to teach—teach, teachable, teacher.tellan,to count—tell, teller, tale, talk, talkative, foretell.thincan,to seem; pret. thuh-te,methinks,methought.thringan,to press—throng.thyr,dry—thirst, thirsty.treowe,true—true, truth, truthful, truism, trust, trustee, trustworthy, trusty.twa,two—twice, twine, twist, between, entwine.tyrnan,to turn—turn, turner, turncoat, turnkey, turnpike, overturn, return, upturn.wacan,to awake—wake, wakeful, waken, wait, watch, watchful, watchfulness, watchman.warnian,to defend,to beware—warn, warning, warrant, wary, weir, aware, beware.wearm,glowing—warm, warmth.wegan,to move—wag, waggle, wain, wave, way, wayfarer, weigh, weight, weighty.weordh,worth—worth, worthy, worship, worshipper, unworthy.werian,to cover—wear, wearable, weary, wearisome.winnan,to labor—win, won.witan,to know—wise, wisdom, wizard, wit, witness, witty.wringan,to twist—wrangle, wrench, wriggle, wring, wrinkle.writhan,to twist—wrath, wrathful, wroth, wreath, wreathe, wry, wryneck, wrong.wunian,to dwell—wont, wonted.wyrm,a worm, a serpent—worm.
ac,an oak—oak, oaken.acsian,to inquire—ask.æcer,a field—acre, acreage.ær,before—early, ere, erelong, erst.aft,hind-part—after, abaft.ágan,to have—owe, own, owner, ought, disown.arisan,to arise—raise, rise, rouse.
ac,an oak—oak, oaken.
acsian,to inquire—ask.
æcer,a field—acre, acreage.
ær,before—early, ere, erelong, erst.
aft,hind-part—after, abaft.
ágan,to have—owe, own, owner, ought, disown.
arisan,to arise—raise, rise, rouse.
bácan,to bake—baker, bakery, bakehouse, batch.bæc,back—backbite, backslide, backward, aback.bælg,a bag.bald,bold, brave—bold, boldness.bána,death—bane, baneful, henbane.banc,a bank or raised place—bank, banker, bankrupt, bankruptcy, bench, embankment.beacnian,to beckon—beck, beckon, beacon.bellan,to roar—bawl, bellow.beorgan,to protect—borough, borrow, burgh, burglar, burrow, harbinger, harbor, berth.beorht,bright—bright.beran,to bear, to bring forth—barrow, bear, bier, birth.bidan,to wait—abide.biddan,to pray,to bid—bid, bidding, bead, beadsman, beadle, forbid, unbidden.bindan,to bind—band, bond, bondage, bundle.blæc,pale—bleach, bleacher, bleak, bleakness.blawan,to blow—blade, bladder, blast, blaze, blazon, blister, blossom, blow, blush, bluster.bletsian,to bless—bless, blessing.brád,broad—broad, breadth, board, aboard.brécan,to break—bray (to pound), breach, breaker, breakfast, brink, broken.breost,the breast—breast, breastplate, breastwork, abreast.breówan,to brew—brew, brewer, brewery.brucan,to use—broker, brokerage, brook (to endure).buan,to cultivate—boor, boorish, neighbor, neighborhood.bugan,to bow or bend—bay, bight, bough, bow, buxom, elbow.byldan,to design,to make—build, builder, building.byrnan,to burn—brand, brandish, brandy, brimstone, brown, brunt, auburn, firebrand.
bácan,to bake—baker, bakery, bakehouse, batch.
bæc,back—backbite, backslide, backward, aback.
bælg,a bag.
bald,bold, brave—bold, boldness.
bána,death—bane, baneful, henbane.
banc,a bank or raised place—bank, banker, bankrupt, bankruptcy, bench, embankment.
beacnian,to beckon—beck, beckon, beacon.
bellan,to roar—bawl, bellow.
beorgan,to protect—borough, borrow, burgh, burglar, burrow, harbinger, harbor, berth.
beorht,bright—bright.
beran,to bear, to bring forth—barrow, bear, bier, birth.
bidan,to wait—abide.
biddan,to pray,to bid—bid, bidding, bead, beadsman, beadle, forbid, unbidden.
bindan,to bind—band, bond, bondage, bundle.
blæc,pale—bleach, bleacher, bleak, bleakness.
blawan,to blow—blade, bladder, blast, blaze, blazon, blister, blossom, blow, blush, bluster.
bletsian,to bless—bless, blessing.
brád,broad—broad, breadth, board, aboard.
brécan,to break—bray (to pound), breach, breaker, breakfast, brink, broken.
breost,the breast—breast, breastplate, breastwork, abreast.
breówan,to brew—brew, brewer, brewery.
brucan,to use—broker, brokerage, brook (to endure).
buan,to cultivate—boor, boorish, neighbor, neighborhood.
bugan,to bow or bend—bay, bight, bough, bow, buxom, elbow.
byldan,to design,to make—build, builder, building.
byrnan,to burn—brand, brandish, brandy, brimstone, brown, brunt, auburn, firebrand.
cælan,to cool—chill, chilblain.ceapian,to buy—cheap, cheapen, cheapness, chaffer, chapman.cénnan,to produce—kin, kind, kindness, kindred, akin, mankind.ceorl,a churl—carle, churlish.clæne,clean—clean, cleanly, cleanliness, cleanse, unclean.cláth,cloth—clothe, clothier, clothing, clad, unclad.cleófan,to cleave;clifian,to adhere—cleaver, cliff, clover, club.cnafa,a boy—knave, knavery.cnáwan,to know—knowledge, acknowledge, foreknow, unknown.cnyll,a loud noise—knell.cnyttan,to knit—knitting, knot, knotty, net, network.cracian,to crack;cearcian,to creak—crack, crackle, creak, cricket, croak, screech, shriek.cuman,to come—comely, comeliness, become, overcome, welcome.cunnan,to know,to be powerful—can, con, cunning, keen.cwellan,to slay—kill, quell.
cælan,to cool—chill, chilblain.
ceapian,to buy—cheap, cheapen, cheapness, chaffer, chapman.
cénnan,to produce—kin, kind, kindness, kindred, akin, mankind.
ceorl,a churl—carle, churlish.
clæne,clean—clean, cleanly, cleanliness, cleanse, unclean.
cláth,cloth—clothe, clothier, clothing, clad, unclad.
cleófan,to cleave;clifian,to adhere—cleaver, cliff, clover, club.
cnafa,a boy—knave, knavery.
cnáwan,to know—knowledge, acknowledge, foreknow, unknown.
cnyll,a loud noise—knell.
cnyttan,to knit—knitting, knot, knotty, net, network.
cracian,to crack;cearcian,to creak—crack, crackle, creak, cricket, croak, screech, shriek.
cuman,to come—comely, comeliness, become, overcome, welcome.
cunnan,to know,to be powerful—can, con, cunning, keen.
cwellan,to slay—kill, quell.
dæg,a day—dawn, daylight, day-star, daisy = day's eye.dǽl,a part—deal, dole, ordeal.déman,to think—deem.deor,a wild animal—deer.deore,dusky or black—dark, darken, darkly, darkness.dic,a dyke—dig, ditch, ditcher.disc,a plate—desk, disc, dish.dóm,judgment—doom, doomsday.dón,to do—doer, deed, undo.dragan,to draw—drag, draggle, drain, draught, draughtsman, draw, dray.drifan,to drive—drift, driver, drove.drigan,to dry—drysalter, drought, drug (originallydried plants), druggist.drincan,to suck in—drench, drink, drunk, drunkard, drunken.drypan,to drip or drop—drip, drop, droop, dribble, drivel.dwinan,to pine—dwindle, dwine.dyn,a noise—din, dun.
dæg,a day—dawn, daylight, day-star, daisy = day's eye.
dǽl,a part—deal, dole, ordeal.
déman,to think—deem.
deor,a wild animal—deer.
deore,dusky or black—dark, darken, darkly, darkness.
dic,a dyke—dig, ditch, ditcher.
disc,a plate—desk, disc, dish.
dóm,judgment—doom, doomsday.
dón,to do—doer, deed, undo.
dragan,to draw—drag, draggle, drain, draught, draughtsman, draw, dray.
drifan,to drive—drift, driver, drove.
drigan,to dry—drysalter, drought, drug (originallydried plants), druggist.
drincan,to suck in—drench, drink, drunk, drunkard, drunken.
drypan,to drip or drop—drip, drop, droop, dribble, drivel.
dwinan,to pine—dwindle, dwine.
dyn,a noise—din, dun.
eage,the eye—eye, eyeball, eye-bright, eyelid.eald,old—alderman, earl.efen,just—even, evenness.erian,to plough,to ear—earth, earthy, earthquake.
eage,the eye—eye, eyeball, eye-bright, eyelid.
eald,old—alderman, earl.
efen,just—even, evenness.
erian,to plough,to ear—earth, earthy, earthquake.
faeger,bright—fair, fairness.fáer,fear—fearful, fearless.faran,to go—fare, farewell, ferry, ford, seafaring, wayfarer.fedan,to feed—feed, feeder, fodder, food, father, fatherly.feond,an enemy—fiend, fiendish.fleógan,to fly—flag, flake, fledge, flee, flicker, flight.fleótan,to float—float, fleet.flówan,to flow—flood, flow.folgian,to go after—follow.fón,to seize—fang, finger.fót,the foot—foot, fetter, fetlock.freón,to love—free, freedom, friend, friendship.fretan,to gnaw—fret, fretful.fugel,a bird—fowl, fowler, fowling-piece.fúl,unclean—filth, filthy, foul, fulsome.fullian,to whiten—full (to scour and thicken cloth in a mill), fuller, fuller's-earth.fýr,fire—fiery, fireworks, bonfire.
faeger,bright—fair, fairness.
fáer,fear—fearful, fearless.
faran,to go—fare, farewell, ferry, ford, seafaring, wayfarer.
fedan,to feed—feed, feeder, fodder, food, father, fatherly.
feond,an enemy—fiend, fiendish.
fleógan,to fly—flag, flake, fledge, flee, flicker, flight.
fleótan,to float—float, fleet.
flówan,to flow—flood, flow.
folgian,to go after—follow.
fón,to seize—fang, finger.
fót,the foot—foot, fetter, fetlock.
freón,to love—free, freedom, friend, friendship.
fretan,to gnaw—fret, fretful.
fugel,a bird—fowl, fowler, fowling-piece.
fúl,unclean—filth, filthy, foul, fulsome.
fullian,to whiten—full (to scour and thicken cloth in a mill), fuller, fuller's-earth.
fýr,fire—fiery, fireworks, bonfire.
gabban,to mock—gabble, gibe, gibberish, jabber.galan,to sing—nightingale.gangan,to go—gang, gangway.gást,a ghost—gas, ghastly, ghost, ghostly, aghast.geard,an enclosure—garden, orchard, yard.geotan,to pour—gush, gut.gerefa,a governor—grieve (an overseer), sheriff, sheriffdom.getan,to get—get, beget, begotten, forget, forgetful.gifan,to give—give, gift, forgive, forgiveness, misgive, unforgiven.glowan,to glow—glow, glowing.gód,good—gospel, gossip.græs,grass—grass, graze, grazier.grafan,to dig—grave, graver, graft, groove, grove, grub, engrave.grapian,to grapple;grípan,to gripe;gropian,to grope—grapple, grapnel, gripe, grope, group, grovel.greot,dust—gritty, groats.grówan,to grow—grow, growth.grúnd,the ground—ground, groundless, groundsel, groundwork.
gabban,to mock—gabble, gibe, gibberish, jabber.
galan,to sing—nightingale.
gangan,to go—gang, gangway.
gást,a ghost—gas, ghastly, ghost, ghostly, aghast.
geard,an enclosure—garden, orchard, yard.
geotan,to pour—gush, gut.
gerefa,a governor—grieve (an overseer), sheriff, sheriffdom.
getan,to get—get, beget, begotten, forget, forgetful.
gifan,to give—give, gift, forgive, forgiveness, misgive, unforgiven.
glowan,to glow—glow, glowing.
gód,good—gospel, gossip.
græs,grass—grass, graze, grazier.
grafan,to dig—grave, graver, graft, groove, grove, grub, engrave.
grapian,to grapple;grípan,to gripe;gropian,to grope—grapple, grapnel, gripe, grope, group, grovel.
greot,dust—gritty, groats.
grówan,to grow—grow, growth.
grúnd,the ground—ground, groundless, groundsel, groundwork.
habban,to have—have, haft, behave, behavior, misbehave.hæge,a hedge—haw, hawthorn.hæl,sound,whole—hail, hale, heal, health, healthful, healthy, holy, holiness, whole, wholesome.hám,a dwelling—hamlet, home, homely, homeliness.hangian,to hang—hang, hanger, hinge, unhinge, overhang.hát,heat—heat, heater, hot.healdan,to hold—halt, halter, hilt, hold, behold, uphold, upholsterer, withhold.heard,hard—harden, hardihood, hardship, hardware, hardy.hebban,to lift—heap, heave, heaven, heavy, upheaval.hédan,to heed—heed, heedful, heedfulness, heedless, heedlessness.heorte,the heart—hearten, heartless, hearty, heartburn, heart's-ease, dishearten.hláf,bread—loaf.hleapan,to leap—leap, overleap, elope, elopement.hol,a hole—hole, hold (of a ship), hollow, hollowness.hristlan,to make quick sounds—rustle, rustling.huntian,to rush—hunt, hunter, huntsman.hús,house—housewife, husband, hustings.hweorfan,to turn—swerve, wharf.hýran,to hear—hear, hearer, hearsay.
habban,to have—have, haft, behave, behavior, misbehave.
hæge,a hedge—haw, hawthorn.
hæl,sound,whole—hail, hale, heal, health, healthful, healthy, holy, holiness, whole, wholesome.
hám,a dwelling—hamlet, home, homely, homeliness.
hangian,to hang—hang, hanger, hinge, unhinge, overhang.
hát,heat—heat, heater, hot.
healdan,to hold—halt, halter, hilt, hold, behold, uphold, upholsterer, withhold.
heard,hard—harden, hardihood, hardship, hardware, hardy.
hebban,to lift—heap, heave, heaven, heavy, upheaval.
hédan,to heed—heed, heedful, heedfulness, heedless, heedlessness.
heorte,the heart—hearten, heartless, hearty, heartburn, heart's-ease, dishearten.
hláf,bread—loaf.
hleapan,to leap—leap, overleap, elope, elopement.
hol,a hole—hole, hold (of a ship), hollow, hollowness.
hristlan,to make quick sounds—rustle, rustling.
huntian,to rush—hunt, hunter, huntsman.
hús,house—housewife, husband, hustings.
hweorfan,to turn—swerve, wharf.
hýran,to hear—hear, hearer, hearsay.
lǽdan,to lead—lead, leader, loadstar, loadstone, mislead.læfan,to leave—left, eleven, twelve.lǽran,to teach—learn, learner, learning, lore, unlearned.lang,long—long, length, lengthen, lengthy, linger.lecgan,to lay—lay, layer, lair, law, lawful, lawless, lea, ledge, ledger, lie, low, lowly, outlaw.leofian,lybban,to live—live, lively, livelihood, livelong, alive, outlive.leoht,light—lighten, lightsome, lighthouse, enlighten.líc,like—like, likely, likelihood, likeness, likewise, unlike.locian,to stretch forward—look.loma,utensils,furniture—loom, hand-loom, power-loom.losian,to lose—lose, loser, loss.lúf,love;lufian,to love—lover, lovely, loveliness, lief, beloved, unlovely.lyfan,to permit—leave (permission), belief, believe, believer, misbelieve.lyft,the air—loft, lofty, aloft.
lǽdan,to lead—lead, leader, loadstar, loadstone, mislead.
læfan,to leave—left, eleven, twelve.
lǽran,to teach—learn, learner, learning, lore, unlearned.
lang,long—long, length, lengthen, lengthy, linger.
lecgan,to lay—lay, layer, lair, law, lawful, lawless, lea, ledge, ledger, lie, low, lowly, outlaw.
leofian,lybban,to live—live, lively, livelihood, livelong, alive, outlive.
leoht,light—lighten, lightsome, lighthouse, enlighten.
líc,like—like, likely, likelihood, likeness, likewise, unlike.
locian,to stretch forward—look.
loma,utensils,furniture—loom, hand-loom, power-loom.
losian,to lose—lose, loser, loss.
lúf,love;lufian,to love—lover, lovely, loveliness, lief, beloved, unlovely.
lyfan,to permit—leave (permission), belief, believe, believer, misbelieve.
lyft,the air—loft, lofty, aloft.
macian,to make—make, maker, match, matchless, mate, inmate.mængan,to mix—among, mingle, commingle, intermingle, mongrel.magan,to be able—may, might, mighty, main, mainland, dismay.mearc,a boundary—mark, marksman, marches, remark.metan,to measure—meet, meeting, meet (fit), meetness.mund,a defence—mound.murnan,to murmur—mourn, mourner, mournful.mynd,the mind—mind, mindful, mindfulness, remind.
macian,to make—make, maker, match, matchless, mate, inmate.
mængan,to mix—among, mingle, commingle, intermingle, mongrel.
magan,to be able—may, might, mighty, main, mainland, dismay.
mearc,a boundary—mark, marksman, marches, remark.
metan,to measure—meet, meeting, meet (fit), meetness.
mund,a defence—mound.
murnan,to murmur—mourn, mourner, mournful.
mynd,the mind—mind, mindful, mindfulness, remind.
næs,a nose—naze, ness.nama,a name—name, nameless, namesake, misname.nead,need—need, needful, needless, needs, needy.neah,nigh—near, next, neighbor.niht,night—night, nightfall, nightless, nightmare, nightshade.
næs,a nose—naze, ness.
nama,a name—name, nameless, namesake, misname.
nead,need—need, needful, needless, needs, needy.
neah,nigh—near, next, neighbor.
niht,night—night, nightfall, nightless, nightmare, nightshade.
oga,dread—ugly, ugliness.
oga,dread—ugly, ugliness.
pæth,a path—pathless, pathway, footpath.plegan,to exercise,to sport—play, player, playful, playmate.
pæth,a path—pathless, pathway, footpath.
plegan,to exercise,to sport—play, player, playful, playmate.
ræcan,to reach—reach, overreach, rack, rack-rent.rǽdan,to read—read, readable, reader, reading, riddle.read,red—red, redden, ruddy.reafian,to seize—bereave, bereavement, raven, ravenous, rive, rob, robber, robbery, rove, rover.recan,to heed—reck, reckless, recklessness, reckon, reckoning.rídan,to ride—ride, rider, road, roadster, roadstead.rinnan,to run—run, runner, runaway, outrun.ripan,to reap—reap, reaper, ripe, ripen, ripeness, unripe.ruh,rough—rough, roughness.
ræcan,to reach—reach, overreach, rack, rack-rent.
rǽdan,to read—read, readable, reader, reading, riddle.
read,red—red, redden, ruddy.
reafian,to seize—bereave, bereavement, raven, ravenous, rive, rob, robber, robbery, rove, rover.
recan,to heed—reck, reckless, recklessness, reckon, reckoning.
rídan,to ride—ride, rider, road, roadster, roadstead.
rinnan,to run—run, runner, runaway, outrun.
ripan,to reap—reap, reaper, ripe, ripen, ripeness, unripe.
ruh,rough—rough, roughness.
sægan,to say—say, saying, hearsay, unsay.sar,painful—sore, soreness, sorrow, sorrowful, sorry.scacan,to shake—shake, shaky, shock, shocking.sceadan,to shade—shade, shady, shadow, shed (a covered enclosure).scedan,to scatter,to shed—shed (to spill), watershed.sceofan,to push—shove, shovel, scuffle, shuffle, sheaf.sceótan,to shoot—shoot, shot, sheet, shut, shutter, shuttle, overshoot, undershot, upshot.scéran,to cut—scar, scarf, score, share, sharp, shear, sheriff, shire.scínan,to shine—sheen, outshine, moonshine, sunshine.screopan,to creak—scrape, scraper, swap, scrap-book.scrob,a bush—shrub, shrubbery.scyppan,to form—shape, shapeless, landscape.sellan,to give—sale, sell, sold.seon,to see—see, seer, sight, foresee, oversee, unsightly, gaze.settan,to set;sittan,to sit—set, setter, settle, settler, settlement, set, beset, onset, outset, upset.síde,side—side, sideboard, aside, beside, inside, outside, upside.singan,to sing—sing, singer, song.slæc,slack—slack, slackness, slow, sloth, slothful, sluggard, sluggish.sleán,to slay—slay, slaughter, sledge (a heavy hammer).slidan,to slide—slide, sled, sledge.slipan,to glide—slip, slipper, slippery, slipshod.smitan,to smite—smite, smiter, smith, smithy.snican,to creep—snake, sneak.socc,a shoe—sock, socket.soft,soft—soften, softly, softness.soth,true—sooth, soothsayer.specan,to speak—speak, speaker, speech, bespeak.spell,a message—spell (discourse), gospel.spinnan,to spin—spinner, spider.stán,a stone—stony, stoneware.standan,to stand—standard, understand, understanding, withstand.steall,a place—stall, forestall, install, pedestal.steorfan,to die—starve, starvation, starveling.stician,to stick—stake, stick, stickle, stickleback, sting, stitch, stock, stockade, stocking.stigan,to ascend—stair, staircase, stile, stirrup, sty.streccan,to stretch—stretch, stretcher, straight, straighten, straightness, outstretch, overstretch.stýran,to steer—steer, steerage, steersman, stern (the hind part of a ship), astern.stýrian,to stir—stir, bestir.súr,sour—sour, sourish, sourness, sorrel, surly, surliness.swerian,to swear—swear, swearer, forswear, answer, unanswered.swét,sweet—sweet, sweetbread, sweeten, sweetmeat, sweetness.
sægan,to say—say, saying, hearsay, unsay.
sar,painful—sore, soreness, sorrow, sorrowful, sorry.
scacan,to shake—shake, shaky, shock, shocking.
sceadan,to shade—shade, shady, shadow, shed (a covered enclosure).
scedan,to scatter,to shed—shed (to spill), watershed.
sceofan,to push—shove, shovel, scuffle, shuffle, sheaf.
sceótan,to shoot—shoot, shot, sheet, shut, shutter, shuttle, overshoot, undershot, upshot.
scéran,to cut—scar, scarf, score, share, sharp, shear, sheriff, shire.
scínan,to shine—sheen, outshine, moonshine, sunshine.
screopan,to creak—scrape, scraper, swap, scrap-book.
scrob,a bush—shrub, shrubbery.
scyppan,to form—shape, shapeless, landscape.
sellan,to give—sale, sell, sold.
seon,to see—see, seer, sight, foresee, oversee, unsightly, gaze.
settan,to set;sittan,to sit—set, setter, settle, settler, settlement, set, beset, onset, outset, upset.
síde,side—side, sideboard, aside, beside, inside, outside, upside.
singan,to sing—sing, singer, song.
slæc,slack—slack, slackness, slow, sloth, slothful, sluggard, sluggish.
sleán,to slay—slay, slaughter, sledge (a heavy hammer).
slidan,to slide—slide, sled, sledge.
slipan,to glide—slip, slipper, slippery, slipshod.
smitan,to smite—smite, smiter, smith, smithy.
snican,to creep—snake, sneak.
socc,a shoe—sock, socket.
soft,soft—soften, softly, softness.
soth,true—sooth, soothsayer.
specan,to speak—speak, speaker, speech, bespeak.
spell,a message—spell (discourse), gospel.
spinnan,to spin—spinner, spider.
stán,a stone—stony, stoneware.
standan,to stand—standard, understand, understanding, withstand.
steall,a place—stall, forestall, install, pedestal.
steorfan,to die—starve, starvation, starveling.
stician,to stick—stake, stick, stickle, stickleback, sting, stitch, stock, stockade, stocking.
stigan,to ascend—stair, staircase, stile, stirrup, sty.
streccan,to stretch—stretch, stretcher, straight, straighten, straightness, outstretch, overstretch.
stýran,to steer—steer, steerage, steersman, stern (the hind part of a ship), astern.
stýrian,to stir—stir, bestir.
súr,sour—sour, sourish, sourness, sorrel, surly, surliness.
swerian,to swear—swear, swearer, forswear, answer, unanswered.
swét,sweet—sweet, sweetbread, sweeten, sweetmeat, sweetness.
táecan,to show, to teach—teach, teachable, teacher.tellan,to count—tell, teller, tale, talk, talkative, foretell.thincan,to seem; pret. thuh-te,methinks,methought.thringan,to press—throng.thyr,dry—thirst, thirsty.treowe,true—true, truth, truthful, truism, trust, trustee, trustworthy, trusty.twa,two—twice, twine, twist, between, entwine.tyrnan,to turn—turn, turner, turncoat, turnkey, turnpike, overturn, return, upturn.
táecan,to show, to teach—teach, teachable, teacher.
tellan,to count—tell, teller, tale, talk, talkative, foretell.
thincan,to seem; pret. thuh-te,methinks,methought.
thringan,to press—throng.
thyr,dry—thirst, thirsty.
treowe,true—true, truth, truthful, truism, trust, trustee, trustworthy, trusty.
twa,two—twice, twine, twist, between, entwine.
tyrnan,to turn—turn, turner, turncoat, turnkey, turnpike, overturn, return, upturn.
wacan,to awake—wake, wakeful, waken, wait, watch, watchful, watchfulness, watchman.warnian,to defend,to beware—warn, warning, warrant, wary, weir, aware, beware.wearm,glowing—warm, warmth.wegan,to move—wag, waggle, wain, wave, way, wayfarer, weigh, weight, weighty.weordh,worth—worth, worthy, worship, worshipper, unworthy.werian,to cover—wear, wearable, weary, wearisome.winnan,to labor—win, won.witan,to know—wise, wisdom, wizard, wit, witness, witty.wringan,to twist—wrangle, wrench, wriggle, wring, wrinkle.writhan,to twist—wrath, wrathful, wroth, wreath, wreathe, wry, wryneck, wrong.wunian,to dwell—wont, wonted.wyrm,a worm, a serpent—worm.
wacan,to awake—wake, wakeful, waken, wait, watch, watchful, watchfulness, watchman.
warnian,to defend,to beware—warn, warning, warrant, wary, weir, aware, beware.
wearm,glowing—warm, warmth.
wegan,to move—wag, waggle, wain, wave, way, wayfarer, weigh, weight, weighty.
weordh,worth—worth, worthy, worship, worshipper, unworthy.
werian,to cover—wear, wearable, weary, wearisome.
winnan,to labor—win, won.
witan,to know—wise, wisdom, wizard, wit, witness, witty.
wringan,to twist—wrangle, wrench, wriggle, wring, wrinkle.
writhan,to twist—wrath, wrathful, wroth, wreath, wreathe, wry, wryneck, wrong.
wunian,to dwell—wont, wonted.
wyrm,a worm, a serpent—worm.
EXTRACT FROM CÆDMON'S PARAPHRASE.
Cædmon: died about 680.
Nu we sceolan herianheofon-rices weard,metodes mihte,and his mod-ge-thonc,wera wuldor-fæder!swa he wundra ge-hwæs,ece dryhten,oord onstealde.He ærest ge-scéopylda bearnumheofon to hrófe,halig scyppend!tha middan-geardmon-cynnes weard,ece dryhten,æfter teode,firum foldan,frea ælmihtig!
Nu we sceolan herianheofon-rices weard,metodes mihte,and his mod-ge-thonc,wera wuldor-fæder!swa he wundra ge-hwæs,ece dryhten,oord onstealde.He ærest ge-scéopylda bearnumheofon to hrófe,halig scyppend!tha middan-geardmon-cynnes weard,ece dryhten,æfter teode,firum foldan,frea ælmihtig!
Nu we sceolan herian
heofon-rices weard,
metodes mihte,
and his mod-ge-thonc,
wera wuldor-fæder!
swa he wundra ge-hwæs,
ece dryhten,
oord onstealde.
He ærest ge-scéop
ylda bearnum
heofon to hrófe,
halig scyppend!
tha middan-geard
mon-cynnes weard,
ece dryhten,
æfter teode,
firum foldan,
frea ælmihtig!
Now we shall praisethe guardian of heaven,the might of the creator,and his mind's thought,the glory-father of men!how he of all wonders,the eternal lord,formed the beginning.He first createdfor the children of menheaven as a roof,the holy creator!them the worldthe guardian of mankindthe eternal lord,produced afterwards,the earth for men,the almighty master!
Now we shall praisethe guardian of heaven,the might of the creator,and his mind's thought,the glory-father of men!how he of all wonders,the eternal lord,formed the beginning.He first createdfor the children of menheaven as a roof,the holy creator!them the worldthe guardian of mankindthe eternal lord,produced afterwards,the earth for men,the almighty master!
Now we shall praise
the guardian of heaven,
the might of the creator,
and his mind's thought,
the glory-father of men!
how he of all wonders,
the eternal lord,
formed the beginning.
He first created
for the children of men
heaven as a roof,
the holy creator!
them the world
the guardian of mankind
the eternal lord,
produced afterwards,
the earth for men,
the almighty master!
PASSAGE REPEATED BY BEDE ON HIS DEATH-BED.
Bede: died 735.
For tham ned-fereneni wirtheththances suoterathonne him thearf sy,to ge-hicgeuneer his heonon-gangehwet his gastegodes othe yvelesefter deathe heonondemed weorthe.
For tham ned-fereneni wirtheththances suoterathonne him thearf sy,to ge-hicgeuneer his heonon-gangehwet his gastegodes othe yvelesefter deathe heonondemed weorthe.
For tham ned-fere
neni wirtheth
thances suotera
thonne him thearf sy,
to ge-hicgeune
er his heonon-gange
hwet his gaste
godes othe yveles
efter deathe heonon
demed weorthe.
Before the necessary journeyno one becomesmore prudent in thoughtthan is needful to him,to search outbefore his going hencewhat to his spiritof good or of evilafter his death hencewill be judged.
Before the necessary journeyno one becomesmore prudent in thoughtthan is needful to him,to search outbefore his going hencewhat to his spiritof good or of evilafter his death hencewill be judged.
Before the necessary journey
no one becomes
more prudent in thought
than is needful to him,
to search out
before his going hence
what to his spirit
of good or of evil
after his death hence
will be judged.
EXTRACT FROM THE SAXON CHRONICLE—Tenth Century.
Tha feng Ælfred Æthelwulfing to West-Seaxna rice; and thæs ymb ænne monath gefeaht Ælfred cyning with ealne thone here lytle werode æt Wiltoune, and hine lange on dæg geflymde, and tha Deniscan ahton wæl-stowe geweald. And thæs geares wurdon nigon folcgefeoht gefohten with thone here on tham cyne-rice be suthan Temese, butan tham the him Ælfred, and ealdormen, and cyninges thegnas oft rada onridon the man na ne rimde. And thæs geares wæron of-slegene nigon eorlas, and an cyning; and thy geare namon West-Seaxan frith with thone here.
Then took Alfred, son of Ethelwulf to the West Saxon's kingdom; and that after one month fought Alfred king against all the army with a little band at Wilton, and them long during the day routed and then the Danes obtained of the battle-field possession. And this year were nine great battles fought with the army in the kingdom to the south of the Thames, besides those in which Alfred, and the alder-men, and the king's thanes oft inrode—against which one nothing accounted. And this year were slain nine earls and one king; and this year made the West-Saxons peace with the army.
EXTRACT FROM THE SAXON GOSPELS—Eleventh Century.
LUCÆ, Cap. I. v. 5-10.
5. On Herodes dagum Iudea cyninges, wæs sum sacerd on naman Zacharias, of Abian tune: and his wif wæs of Aarones dohtrum, and hyre nama wæs Elizabeth.
LUKE, Chap. I. v. 5-10.
5. In the days of Herod the king of Judea, there was a certain priest by name Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
6. Sothlice hig wæron butu rihtwise beforan Gode, gangende on eallum his bebodum and rihtwisnessum, butan wrohte.
6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord without blame.
7. And hig næfdon nan bearn, fortham the Elizabeth wæs unberende; and hig on heora dagum butu forth-eodon.
7. And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren; and they in her days were both of great age.
8. Sothlice wæs geworden tha Zacharias hys sacerdhades breac on his gewrixles endebyrdnesse beforan Gode,
8. And it befell that when Zacharias should do the office of the priesthood in the order of his course before God,
9. Æfter gewunan thæs sacerdhades hlotes, he eode that he his offrunge sette, tha he on Godes tempel eode.
9. After the custom of the priesthood he went forth by lot, to burn incense when he into God's temple went.
10. Eall werod thæs folces wæs ute gebiddende on thære offrunge timan.
10. And all the multitude of the people were without praying at the time of incense.
THE LORD'S PRAYER.
Fæder ure, thu the eart on heofenum; si thin nama gehalgod; to-becume thin rice; geweordhe thin willa on eorthan, swa swa on heofenum. Urne ge dæghwamlican hlaf syle us to-dæg; and forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgidfadh urum gyltendum; and ne gelæde thu us on costnunge, ac alys us of yfle, etc.
Father our, thou who art in heaven; be thine name hallowed; let come thine kingdom; let be done thine will on earth, so as in the heavens. Our also daily bread give thou us to-day; and forgive thou to us our debts, so as we forgive our debtors; and not lead thou us into temptations, but deliver thou us from evil, etc.
EXTRACT FROM THE BRUT OF LAYAMON—About 1180.
He nom tha Englisca bocTha makede Seint Beda;An other he nom on Latin,Tha makede Seinte Albin,And the feire Austin,The fulluht broute hider in.Boc he nom the thridde,Leide ther amidden,Tha makede a Frenchis clerc,Wace was ihoten,The wel couthe writen,And he hoc yef thare aethelenAllienor, the wes Henries quene,Thes heyes kinges.
He nom tha Englisca bocTha makede Seint Beda;An other he nom on Latin,Tha makede Seinte Albin,And the feire Austin,The fulluht broute hider in.Boc he nom the thridde,Leide ther amidden,Tha makede a Frenchis clerc,Wace was ihoten,The wel couthe writen,And he hoc yef thare aethelenAllienor, the wes Henries quene,Thes heyes kinges.
He nom tha Englisca boc
Tha makede Seint Beda;
An other he nom on Latin,
Tha makede Seinte Albin,
And the feire Austin,
The fulluht broute hider in.
Boc he nom the thridde,
Leide ther amidden,
Tha makede a Frenchis clerc,
Wace was ihoten,
The wel couthe writen,
And he hoc yef thare aethelen
Allienor, the wes Henries quene,
Thes heyes kinges.
He took the English bookThat Saint Bede made;Another he took in Latin,That Saint Albin made,And the fair Austin,That baptism brought hither in.The third book he took,Andlaid there in midst,That made a French clerk,Wace washecalled,That well could write,And he it gave to the nobleEleanor, that was Henry's Queen,The high king's.
He took the English bookThat Saint Bede made;Another he took in Latin,That Saint Albin made,And the fair Austin,That baptism brought hither in.The third book he took,Andlaid there in midst,That made a French clerk,Wace washecalled,That well could write,And he it gave to the nobleEleanor, that was Henry's Queen,The high king's.
He took the English book
That Saint Bede made;
Another he took in Latin,
That Saint Albin made,
And the fair Austin,
That baptism brought hither in.
The third book he took,
Andlaid there in midst,
That made a French clerk,
Wace washecalled,
That well could write,
And he it gave to the noble
Eleanor, that was Henry's Queen,
The high king's.
EXTRACT FROM A CHARTER OF HENRY III.—1258.
Henry, thurg Gode's fultome, King on Engleneloande, Lhoaverd on Yrloand, Duk on Norman, on Acquitain, Earl on Anjou, send I greting, to alle hise holde, ilærde and ilewede on Huntindonnschiere. Thæt witen ge wel alle, hæt we willen and unnen thæt ure rædesmen alle, other the moare del of heom, thæt beoth ichosen thurg us and thurg thæt loandes-folk on ure kineriche, habbith idon, and schullen don in the worthnes of God, and ure treowthe, for the freme of the loande, etc.
Henry, through God's support, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy, of Acquitain, Earl of Anjou, sends greeting to all his subjects, learned and unlearned, of Huntingdonshire. This know ye well all, that we will and grant what our counsellors all, or the more part of them, that be chosen through us and through the landfolk of our kingdom, have done, and shall do, to the honor of God, and our allegiance, for the good of the land, etc.
That the young student may be made aware of the extent of the employment of Anglo-Saxon in our present language, and that he may have some clue to direct him to a knowledge of the Saxon words, the following extracts, embracing a great proportion of these words, are submitted to his attention. The words not Teutonic are marked inItalics.
MILTON.
Of man's firstdisobedience, and thefruitOf that forbidden tree, whosemortal tasteBrought death into the world, and all our woe,With loss ofEden, till one greater manRestoreus andregainthe blissful seat—Sing, heavenlyMuse.With theeconversing, I forget all time,Allseasons, and theirchange; allpleasealike.Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,Withcharmof earliest birds;pleasantthe sunWhen first on thisdelightfulland he spreadsHisorientbeams onherb, tree,fruit, andflower,Glistering with dew;fragrantthefertileearth,After soft showers; and sweet the coming onOfgratefulevening mild; thensilentnightWith this hersolemnbird, and this fair moon,And these thegemsof heaven, her starrytrain.
Of man's firstdisobedience, and thefruitOf that forbidden tree, whosemortal tasteBrought death into the world, and all our woe,With loss ofEden, till one greater manRestoreus andregainthe blissful seat—Sing, heavenlyMuse.
Of man's firstdisobedience, and thefruit
Of that forbidden tree, whosemortal taste
Brought death into the world, and all our woe,
With loss ofEden, till one greater man
Restoreus andregainthe blissful seat—
Sing, heavenlyMuse.
With theeconversing, I forget all time,Allseasons, and theirchange; allpleasealike.Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,Withcharmof earliest birds;pleasantthe sunWhen first on thisdelightfulland he spreadsHisorientbeams onherb, tree,fruit, andflower,Glistering with dew;fragrantthefertileearth,After soft showers; and sweet the coming onOfgratefulevening mild; thensilentnightWith this hersolemnbird, and this fair moon,And these thegemsof heaven, her starrytrain.
With theeconversing, I forget all time,
Allseasons, and theirchange; allpleasealike.
Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,
Withcharmof earliest birds;pleasantthe sun
When first on thisdelightfulland he spreads
Hisorientbeams onherb, tree,fruit, andflower,
Glistering with dew;fragrantthefertileearth,
After soft showers; and sweet the coming on
Ofgratefulevening mild; thensilentnight
With this hersolemnbird, and this fair moon,
And these thegemsof heaven, her starrytrain.
SHAKESPEARE.
To be, or not to be, that is thequestion;Whether 't isnoblerin the mind tosufferThe stings and arrows ofoutrageous fortune,Or to takearmsagainst a sea oftroubles,And, byopposing, end them? To die, to sleep;No more;—and by a sleep to say we endThe heartacheand the thousandnaturalshocksThat flesh isheirto! 't were aconsummationDevoutlyto be wished. To die; to sleep;To sleep?—perchanceto dream!
To be, or not to be, that is thequestion;Whether 't isnoblerin the mind tosufferThe stings and arrows ofoutrageous fortune,Or to takearmsagainst a sea oftroubles,And, byopposing, end them? To die, to sleep;No more;—and by a sleep to say we endThe heartacheand the thousandnaturalshocksThat flesh isheirto! 't were aconsummationDevoutlyto be wished. To die; to sleep;To sleep?—perchanceto dream!
To be, or not to be, that is thequestion;
Whether 't isnoblerin the mind tosuffer
The stings and arrows ofoutrageous fortune,
Or to takearmsagainst a sea oftroubles,
And, byopposing, end them? To die, to sleep;
No more;—and by a sleep to say we end
The heartacheand the thousandnaturalshocks
That flesh isheirto! 't were aconsummation
Devoutlyto be wished. To die; to sleep;
To sleep?—perchanceto dream!
All the world's astage,And all the men and womenmerelyplayers.They have theirexitsand theirentrances,And one man in his time plays manyparts;Hisactsbeing sevenages. At first theinfant,Mewling and puking in hisnurse's arms.And then the whiningschool-boy, with hissatchelAnd shining morningface, creeping like snailUnwillingly toschool. And then the lover,Sighing likefurnace, with a woefulballadMade to hismistress'eyebrow. Then asoldier,Full ofstrangeoaths, and bearded like thepard,Jealousinhonour,suddenand quick inquarrel;Seeking the bubblereputationEven in thecannon'smouth.
All the world's astage,And all the men and womenmerelyplayers.They have theirexitsand theirentrances,And one man in his time plays manyparts;Hisactsbeing sevenages. At first theinfant,Mewling and puking in hisnurse's arms.And then the whiningschool-boy, with hissatchelAnd shining morningface, creeping like snailUnwillingly toschool. And then the lover,Sighing likefurnace, with a woefulballadMade to hismistress'eyebrow. Then asoldier,Full ofstrangeoaths, and bearded like thepard,Jealousinhonour,suddenand quick inquarrel;Seeking the bubblereputationEven in thecannon'smouth.
All the world's astage,
And all the men and womenmerelyplayers.
They have theirexitsand theirentrances,
And one man in his time plays manyparts;
Hisactsbeing sevenages. At first theinfant,
Mewling and puking in hisnurse's arms.
And then the whiningschool-boy, with hissatchel
And shining morningface, creeping like snail
Unwillingly toschool. And then the lover,
Sighing likefurnace, with a woefulballad
Made to hismistress'eyebrow. Then asoldier,
Full ofstrangeoaths, and bearded like thepard,
Jealousinhonour,suddenand quick inquarrel;
Seeking the bubblereputation
Even in thecannon'smouth.
TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE.
In the beginning Godcreatedthe heaven and the earth. And the earth was withoutform, andvoid; and darkness was upon thefaceof the deep: and theSpiritof Godmovedupon thefaceof the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and Goddividedthe light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.—Genesisi. 1-6.
And it came topass, that whenIsaacwas old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he calledEsau, his eldest son, and said unto him, My son. And he said unto him, Behold, here am I. And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death. Now therefore take, Ipraythee, thy weapons, thyquiverand thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me somevenison; and make mesavourymeat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. AndRebekahheard whenIsaacspake toEsauhis son. AndEsauwent to the field to hunt forvenison, and to bring it. AndRebekahspake untoJacobher son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak untoEsauthy brother, saying, Bring mevenison, and make mesavourymeat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.—Genesisxxvii. 1-7.
THOMSON.
These as theychange, Almighty Father! theseAre but thevariedGod. TherollingyearIs full of thee. Forth in thepleasingspringThybeautywalks, thytendernessand love.Wide flush the fields; the softeningairisbalm;Echothemountains round; theforestsmiles;And everysenseand every heart isjoy.Then comes thygloryin the summer months,With light and heatrefulgent. Then thy sunShoots fullperfectionthrough the swelling year.
These as theychange, Almighty Father! theseAre but thevariedGod. TherollingyearIs full of thee. Forth in thepleasingspringThybeautywalks, thytendernessand love.Wide flush the fields; the softeningairisbalm;Echothemountains round; theforestsmiles;And everysenseand every heart isjoy.Then comes thygloryin the summer months,With light and heatrefulgent. Then thy sunShoots fullperfectionthrough the swelling year.
These as theychange, Almighty Father! these
Are but thevariedGod. Therollingyear
Is full of thee. Forth in thepleasingspring
Thybeautywalks, thytendernessand love.
Wide flush the fields; the softeningairisbalm;
Echothemountains round; theforestsmiles;
And everysenseand every heart isjoy.
Then comes thygloryin the summer months,
With light and heatrefulgent. Then thy sun
Shoots fullperfectionthrough the swelling year.
ADDISON.
I was yesterday, about sunset, walking in the open fields, till the nightinsensiblyfell upon me. I at firstamusedmyself with all the richness andvarietyofcolourswhichappearedin the westernpartsof heaven. Inproportionas theyfadedaway and went out,severalstars andplanets appeared, one after another, till the wholefirmamentwas in a glow. The blueness of theetherwasexceedinglyheightened and enlivened by theseasonof the year.
YOUNG.
LetIndians, and thegay, likeIndians, fondOf featheredfopperies, the sunadore:Darkness has moredivinityfor me;It strikes thought inward; it drives back the soulTo settle on herself, ourpoint supreme.There lies ourtheater: there sits ourjudge.Darkness thecurtaindrops o'er life's dullscene:'T is the kind hand ofProvidencestretched out'Twixt man andvanity; 't isreason's reign,Andvirtue'stoo; thesetutelaryshadesAre man'sasylumfrom thetaintedthrong.Night is the good man's friend, and guardian too.It no lessrescues virtue, thaninspires.
LetIndians, and thegay, likeIndians, fondOf featheredfopperies, the sunadore:Darkness has moredivinityfor me;It strikes thought inward; it drives back the soulTo settle on herself, ourpoint supreme.There lies ourtheater: there sits ourjudge.Darkness thecurtaindrops o'er life's dullscene:'T is the kind hand ofProvidencestretched out'Twixt man andvanity; 't isreason's reign,Andvirtue'stoo; thesetutelaryshadesAre man'sasylumfrom thetaintedthrong.Night is the good man's friend, and guardian too.It no lessrescues virtue, thaninspires.
LetIndians, and thegay, likeIndians, fond
Of featheredfopperies, the sunadore:
Darkness has moredivinityfor me;
It strikes thought inward; it drives back the soul
To settle on herself, ourpoint supreme.
There lies ourtheater: there sits ourjudge.
Darkness thecurtaindrops o'er life's dullscene:
'T is the kind hand ofProvidencestretched out
'Twixt man andvanity; 't isreason's reign,
Andvirtue'stoo; thesetutelaryshades
Are man'sasylumfrom thetaintedthrong.
Night is the good man's friend, and guardian too.
It no lessrescues virtue, thaninspires.
SWIFT.
Wisdom is a fox, who, after long hunting, will at lastcostyou thepainsto dig out. 'T is a cheese, which by how much the richer has the thicker, homelier, and thecoarser coat; and whereof, to ajudicious palate, themaggotsare the best. 'Tis asack posset, wherein the deeper you go on you will find it sweeter. But then, lastly, 'tis a nut, which, unless you choose withjudgment, maycostyou a tooth, andpayyou with nothing but a worm.
HUME.
Thebeautiesof herpersonandgracesof herair combinedto make her the mostamiableof women; and thecharmsof heraddressandconversation aidedtheimpressionwhich her lovelyfiguremade on the heart of all beholders.Ambitiousandactivein hertemper, yetinclinedtocheerfulnessandsociety; of a loftyspirit,constantand evenvehementin herpurpose, yetpolitic, gentle, andaffable, in herdemeanor, sheseemedtopartake only so much of themale virtuesas torenderherestimable, withoutrelinquishingthose softgraceswhichcomposetheproper ornamentof hersex.
GIBBON.
In thesecond centuryof theChristian era, theempireofRome comprehendedthe fairestpartof the earth, and the mostcivilized portionof mankind. Thefrontiersof thatextensive monarchywere guarded byancient renown, anddisciplined valour. Thegentlebutpowerful influenceof laws andmannershadgradually cementedtheunionof theprovinces. Theirpeaceful inhabitants enjoyedandabusedtheadvantagesof wealth andluxury. Theimageof a freeconstitutionwaspreservedwithdecent reverence.
JOHNSON.
Ofgenius, thatpowerwhichconstitutesapoet; thatqualitywithout whichjudgmentis cold, and knowledge isinert; thatenergywhichcollects,combines,amplifies, andanimates; thesuperioritymust, with somehesitation, beallowedto Dryden. It is not to beinferredthat of thispoetical vigor Popehad only a little,becauseDryden had more; for every other writer since Milton must giveplacetoPope; and even of Dryden it must be said, that if he has brighterparagraphs, he has not betterpoems.
BYRON.
Ancientof days!august Athena!where,Where are thy men of might—thygrandin soul?Gone—glimmering through the dream of things that were.First in the race that led toGlory's goal,They won, andpassedaway. Is this the whole?Aschool-boy's tale—the wonder of anhour!The warrior's-weapon and thesophist's stoleAre sought invain, and o'er eachmoulderingtower,Dim with the mist of years, gray flits the shade ofpower.
Ancientof days!august Athena!where,Where are thy men of might—thygrandin soul?Gone—glimmering through the dream of things that were.First in the race that led toGlory's goal,They won, andpassedaway. Is this the whole?Aschool-boy's tale—the wonder of anhour!The warrior's-weapon and thesophist's stoleAre sought invain, and o'er eachmoulderingtower,Dim with the mist of years, gray flits the shade ofpower.
Ancientof days!august Athena!where,
Where are thy men of might—thygrandin soul?
Gone—glimmering through the dream of things that were.
First in the race that led toGlory's goal,
They won, andpassedaway. Is this the whole?
Aschool-boy's tale—the wonder of anhour!
The warrior's-weapon and thesophist's stole
Are sought invain, and o'er eachmoulderingtower,
Dim with the mist of years, gray flits the shade ofpower.
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
The way was long, the wind was cold,TheMinstrelwasinfirmand old;His withered cheek andtressesgraySeemedto have known a better day;The harp, hissole remaining joy,Was carried by anorphanboy.The last of all the bards was heWho sung of borderchivalry;For, well-a-day! theirdalewas fled;Histuneful brethren all were dead;And he,neglectedandoppressed,Wished to be with them and at rest.
The way was long, the wind was cold,TheMinstrelwasinfirmand old;His withered cheek andtressesgraySeemedto have known a better day;The harp, hissole remaining joy,Was carried by anorphanboy.The last of all the bards was heWho sung of borderchivalry;For, well-a-day! theirdalewas fled;Histuneful brethren all were dead;And he,neglectedandoppressed,Wished to be with them and at rest.
The way was long, the wind was cold,
TheMinstrelwasinfirmand old;
His withered cheek andtressesgray
Seemedto have known a better day;
The harp, hissole remaining joy,
Was carried by anorphanboy.
The last of all the bards was he
Who sung of borderchivalry;
For, well-a-day! theirdalewas fled;
Histuneful brethren all were dead;
And he,neglectedandoppressed,
Wished to be with them and at rest.
WORDSWORTH.
Ah! little doth the young one dream,When full of play and childish cares,Whatpoweris in his wildest scream,Heard by his mother unawares!He knows it not, he cannot guess;Years to a mother bringdistress;But do not make her love the less.My son, if thou behumbled,poor,Hopeless ofhonorand ofgain,Oh! do not dread thy mother's door;Think not of me withgriefandpain.I now can see with better eyes;And worldlygrandeurIdespise,AndFortunewith her gifts and lies.
Ah! little doth the young one dream,When full of play and childish cares,Whatpoweris in his wildest scream,Heard by his mother unawares!He knows it not, he cannot guess;Years to a mother bringdistress;But do not make her love the less.
Ah! little doth the young one dream,
When full of play and childish cares,
Whatpoweris in his wildest scream,
Heard by his mother unawares!
He knows it not, he cannot guess;
Years to a mother bringdistress;
But do not make her love the less.
My son, if thou behumbled,poor,Hopeless ofhonorand ofgain,Oh! do not dread thy mother's door;Think not of me withgriefandpain.I now can see with better eyes;And worldlygrandeurIdespise,AndFortunewith her gifts and lies.
My son, if thou behumbled,poor,
Hopeless ofhonorand ofgain,
Oh! do not dread thy mother's door;
Think not of me withgriefandpain.
I now can see with better eyes;
And worldlygrandeurIdespise,
AndFortunewith her gifts and lies.
TENNYSON.
Not wholly in the busy world, norquiteBeyond it, blooms the garden that I love.News from the hummingcitycomes to itInsoundoffuneralor ofmarriagebells;And sitting muffled in dark leaves you hearThe windy clanging of the winter clock;Although between it and the garden liesAleagueof grass, washed by a slow broad stream,That, stirred withlanguid pulsesof the oar,Waves all its lazylilies, and creeps on,Barge laden, to threearchesof a bridge,Crownedwith theminster-towers.
Not wholly in the busy world, norquiteBeyond it, blooms the garden that I love.News from the hummingcitycomes to itInsoundoffuneralor ofmarriagebells;And sitting muffled in dark leaves you hearThe windy clanging of the winter clock;Although between it and the garden liesAleagueof grass, washed by a slow broad stream,That, stirred withlanguid pulsesof the oar,Waves all its lazylilies, and creeps on,Barge laden, to threearchesof a bridge,Crownedwith theminster-towers.
Not wholly in the busy world, norquite
Beyond it, blooms the garden that I love.
News from the hummingcitycomes to it
Insoundoffuneralor ofmarriagebells;
And sitting muffled in dark leaves you hear
The windy clanging of the winter clock;
Although between it and the garden lies
Aleagueof grass, washed by a slow broad stream,
That, stirred withlanguid pulsesof the oar,
Waves all its lazylilies, and creeps on,
Barge laden, to threearchesof a bridge,
Crownedwith theminster-towers.
at'las,a collection of maps bound together: "Atlas," a fabled giant who, according to the Greek notion bore the earth upon his shoulders.
acad'emy,a superior grade school, a society of learned men: "Academus," a Greek in whose garden near Athens Plato taught.
ammo'nia,the pungent matter of smelling salts: "Jupiter Ammon," near whose temple in Libya it was originally obtained.
bac'chanal,one who indulges in drunken revels: "Bacchus," the god of wine.
bow'ie knife,an American weapon: Colonel "Bowie," the inventor.
braggado'cio,a vain boaster: "Braggadochio," a boastful character in Spenser's Faery Queen.
bud'dhism,a wide-spread Asiatic religion: "Buddha," a Hindoo sage who lived about 1000 B.C.
cal'vinism,the doctrines of Calvin: "Calvin," a Swiss theologian of the 16th century.
camel'lia,a genus of evergreen shrubs: "Camelli," a Spaniard who brought them from Asia.
cicero'ne(sis e-ro'ne or chĭ chĕ-ro'-ne),a guide: "Cicero," the Roman orator.
cincho'na,Peruvian bark: Countess "Cinchona," wife of a Spanish governor of Peru (17th century). By means of this medicine she was cured of an intermittent fever, and after her return to Spain she aided in the diffusion of the remedy.
daguerre'otype,a picture produced on a metal plate: "Daguerre," the inventor (1789-1851).
dahl'ia,a garden plant: "Dahl," a Swedish botanist.
dunce,a dull, slow-witted person: "Duns Scotus," a subtle philosopher of the 13th century. His method of reasoning was very popular in the schools during the Middle Ages, and a very skillful hair-splitter was called a Dunse; but at last, through the influence of the antagonists of the philosopher, the word passed into a term of reproach.
ep'icure,one fond of good living: "Epicurus," a Greek philosopher who was said to teach that pleasure is the chief good.
Fah'renheit,a thermometer that marks the freezing-point of water at32° (which is different from both the centigrade and the Reaumur thermometer): "Fahrenheit," the inventor.
fuchsia(fu'sĭ-a),a genus of flowering plants: "Leonard Fuchs," a German botanist of the 16th century.
gal'vanism,a branch of the science of electricity: "Galvani," an Italian physician, its discoverer.
gen'tian,a medicinal root: "Gentian," king of Illyria, who is said to have first experienced the virtues of the plant.
gob'elin,a rich tapestry: "Jehan Gobeelen," a Flemish dyer.
guillotine',an instrument for beheading: "Guillotin," who invented and brought it into use at the time of the French Revolution, last century.
hy'giene,the principles and rules of health: "Hygeia," the goddess of health in classical mythology.
Jes'uit,a member of the Society of Jesus, formed by Ignatius Loyola in1534: "Jesus."
lynch,to punish without the usual forms of law: said to be from "Lynch," a Virginia farmer, who took the law into his own hands.
macad'amize,to cover a road with small broken stones: "Macadam," the inventor.
magno'lia,a species of trees found in the southern parts of the United States: "Magnol," a French botanist.
men'tor,a faithful monitor: "Mentor," the counselor of Telemachus.
mor'phia,the narcotic principle of opium: "Morpheus," the god of sleep.
ne'gus,a mixture of wine, water, and sugar: Colonel "Negus," who introduced its use in the time of Queen Anne.
or'rery,an apparatus for showing the motions, etc., of the heavenly bodies: the Earl of "Orrery," for whom one of the first was made.
palla'dium,something that affords effectual defense, protection, and safety: Greek "palla'dion," an image of "Pallas Athene," which was kept hidden and secret, and was revered as a pledge of the safety of the town where it was lodged.
pan'ic,a sudden fright: "Pan," the god of shepherds, who is said to have caused alarm by his wild screams and appearance.
pe'ony,a plant of the genusPÆONIA,having beautiful showy flowers: "Pæon," its discoverer.
pet'rel,an ocean bird: diminutive of Peter, probably so called in allusion to "St. Peter's" walking on the sea.
pha'eton,an open carriage: "Phaethon," the fabled son of Phœbus or the Sun, whose chariot he attempted to drive.
pinch'beck,an alloy of copper and zinc resembling gold: said to be from one "Pinchbeck," the inventor.
quas'sia,a bitter wood used as a tonic: "Quassy," a negro who discovered its qualities.
rodomontade',vainbluster: "Rodomonte," a boasting hero who figures in Ariosto's poem of theOrlando Furioso.
silhouette(sil oo et'),the outline of an object filled in with black color: "Silhouette" (see Webster).
tan'talize,to torment or tease: "Tantalus," according to the poets, an ancient king of Phrygia, who was made to stand up to the chin in water with fruit hanging over his head, but from whom both receded when he wished to partake.
typhoon',a violent hurricane which occurs in the Chinese seas: "Typhon," a fabled giant who was taught to produce them.
volca'no,a burning mountain: "Vulcan," the god of fire.