Eldsay English

Some Highlights from: Eldsay English

New Life for Old English Words

This book is out of print (1999), but these slighlty adapted highlights are given here with leave from the publisher, Joseph Biddulph and author, David Cowley.

Eldsay English; Background.

This book covered (amongst other things) the results of research - "throughseeking" - into words which were formerly found in English, but were lost as a result of the Norman Conquest; Looking through Old English words, we find that there are some that make more sense than the words we use today for the same concepts. This is because English now uses much material from Latin or French, instead of words with roots in Old English. To understand why this should be so, we must look back in history. Before the Conquest, Anglo-Saxon England had a standard written English (Old English) which was an official medium. This very expressive written tongue thrived at a time when most Western European learning and writing was in Latin. After the conquest, Latin quickly came to be used instead of English for official purposes. French became important officially after about 1150. English thus lost her position in writing and "high" society, and when she started to reassert herself around 1400, we find many French or Latin-derived words being used instead of native ones. The pressure we may feel even today to use French and Latin words instead of good OE-derived ones is a leftover from these times; f.e. Commence instead of start or begin, received instead of had or got; there is nothing culturally higher or more sophisticated in using the "posh" words. Many of our native English words were lost, but it is still possible to work out how they could have developed in Modern English, by analogy with words that have lived on. The "Engishing English Project" has worked on hundreds of such words. Many of these can be found below. Some make good sense without explanation, such as afterfollower, fullwork, likeworthy, forelook (=preview) and oathbreach (= Perjury), whilst others just sound good; f.e. Frimdy (curious, inquisitive), steerless (profligate). With these "new" words from OE, the book breaks new ground, and they are given with the hope that some may find their way back into everyday Modern English. Meanings of words change, and this has been reflected in the lists; if some of the words suggest meanings more natural and obvious than those given here, then all well and good, if they get to be used! Other than making English even more expressive, re-adoption of good English words would also lead to other benefits:- in an ever more standardised world, it could help foster better appreciation of some things which are culturally unique to England, in positive ways. A better knowledge of our own tongue's history and worth could lead to greater understanding of the plight of other languages, some of which are under pressure/ threat. Hopefully this book will help raise interest in the idea of broadening English and above all help those who would like to start using some of the words. They belong to English and deserve to live, but can only do so if we use them!

Note on abbreviations. Some abbreviations based on spoken English are used here, rather than the Latin-based terms which are strangely used so often in writing: a.s.f. (and so forth) for etc. (etcetera). f.e. (for example) for e.g. (exemplia gratia). t.i. (that is) for i.e. (id est).

1. Native/ Loanword Choices in Today's English. If we care about English, we can already choose to use more native - ourlandish - words every day!! Here are a few:

Choose right settings needed for work in hand. Select correct settings required for current working. Let brake off before backing. Disengage brake prior to reversing. Inside leaks are likely to stay unseen. Internal leaks probably remain invisible. Outwardly much like kinds made before 1970s. Externally very similar to types manufactured pre-1970s. It is hard to see talks starting straight away. It is difficult to envisage negotiotions commencing immediately. One in four buyers came back yearly. One quarter of purchasers returned annually. If address is wrong, fill in slip over and send to....or call us on.... If address is incorrect complete slip on reverse and return to....alternatively phone us on....Overseeing handout of...... Supervising distribution of......

New Wordlist:

In this wordlist the updated word is given in the first column. This is followed by its meaning, whilst the third column gives the O.E. source-word. O.E. Pronunciation: æ=a (short), þ and ð=th, sc=sh, cg=j, f=v (sometimes), g=y (very rough guide!)
 * Note; Wordlist gives suggested meanings for new words - not always the exact meaning of the O.E. word from which they come. Having been worked out for potential usefulness, it would not be practical for modernised words always to have the precise meaning of their O.E. forebears (many of today's English words changed in meaning over the years).

4. "New" - Modern English - Old English.

A

abgo			encircle, go around/ about		ymbgan ablie			lie around				ymblicgan abwind		envelop (by winding round)		ymbwinden acraft			devise					acræftan afear			terrify, make afraid			afæran afterfollow		succeed				æfterfolgian afterfollowedness	sequel					æfterfylgednes afterfollower		successor				æfterfylgere aftergoer		descendant				æftergenga aftergoingness	posterity				æftergengnes afterwardness		posterity				æfterwardnes aftnewing		restoration				eftniwung alease			redeem, save				aliesan aleaseness		redemption				alesnis aliken			compare				anlician anleth			face			 		andwlita anew			to renew				edniwian anewed		  renewed				edneowe angbreast		asthma					angbreost angsomely		painfully				angsumlice angsomeness		distress, pain				angsumnes applewine		cider					æppelwin atsake			deny					ætsacen awayen		repudiate				awægan ayewhither		in all directions				æghwider

B

backboard		port-side, larboard			bæcbord bebid			order, command			bebod bedrink		absorb					bedrincan befare			travel round				befaran befasten		apply, entrust, use			befæstan befold			enfold					befolden begang		circuit					begong bego			go around				began behideness		conealment 				behydnes beholdness		observation				behealdnes belaugh		deride					behlyhhan belean			restrain, dissuade			belean bepeach		deceive, delude				bepæcan beride			ride round				beridan berow			row round				berowan beshow		exhibit					besceawian beshower		exhibitor				besceawere beshowing		exhibition				besceawung besink			submerge				besincan besit			occupy					besittan besorrow		regret					besargian besorrowing		compassion				besargung bettering		improvement				beterung bethink		to consider				beþencan betrap			entrap					betræppan bewarp		to pervert				beweorpan bewend		to convert, turn			bewend bework		to construct				bewyrccan bewrite		copy out				bewritan blitheness		mirth, joy				bliðnes bookcraft		book production, design a.s.f.		boccræft borrowbreach	failure to repay loan				borgbryce breastwhelm		powerful emotion, grief		breostwylm bridegift		dowry					brydgifu

C

candletree		candelabrum				candeltreow

D

dearworth		precious				deorwurþ dearworthness	preciousness, treasure			deorwyrþness deemster		a judge (Manx law has deemsters)	dema E

earthkin		human race				eorðcyn eatgiver		host at a meal				ætgiefa elddom		age					ealddom eldfather		grandfather				ealdfæder eldmother		grandmother				ealdmodor eldright		ancient right, tradition			ealdriht eldsay			tradition (spoken)			ealdgesegen endbirthly		in order, in succession, orderly manner	endebyrdlic endbirthness		order, series, succession, arrangement, degree	endebyrdnes endlessness		infinity, eternity			endeleasnes endspeak		epilogue				endespæc enoughsome		sufficient, abundant			genyhtsum enoughsomeness	sufficiency, abundance			genyhtsumnis evenliness		equality					efenlicnes evenlotter		equal sharer, partaker			efenhlytta evennight		equinox				efniht evenold		contemporary				efneald evensorrowing	compassion				efensargung evensorry		compassionate				efensarig evilwill(ed)		malevolent				yfelwille evenworth		equivalent 				efenweorð

F

fakedeed							facendæd fakeful			deceitful				facenful fakeless		without deceit				facenleas fakely								facenlic farness			distance				feornes feedness		nourishment				fednes fewness		paucity					feanes fieldly			rural					feldlic folkfree		uninhabited				folcfrig folkland		common land				folcland folkly			public, popular, populous		folclic folkright		human/common right, generally accepted 	folcriht folkish			of the people, secular			folcisc forbow			decline (turn down)			forbugan forbuilding		encouragement				forbylding forcouth		notorious, despicable			forcuð fordim			to obscure				fordimman fordeem		prejudice, prematurely deem		fordeman fordeemer 		accuser					fordemend fordo			destroy, spoil, ruin			fordon forebody		thorax, chest				foranbodig forebusy		to preoccupy				forebisegian forechoose		prefere					foreceosan forecome		to block, prevent move/ action, prevent	forecuman foregang		precede				foregangan foregearing		preparation				foregearwung foregoer		predecessor				foregenga forehouse		porch					forehus forelook		preview				foreloc foresay		proclaim				foresecgan foreset			propose				forsettan foresetness		proposition				foresetnes foreshieldness	protection				forescieldnes foreshowing		a preview				foresceawung forestand		block, prevent				forestandan forestep		precede				foresteppan forethoughtful	prudent				foreðancful forewriteness		prescription				forewritennes forfare			obstruct, block				forfaran forgively		excusable				forgifenly forgoedness		abstention				forgægednes forharry		ravage					forhergian forharrying		devastation, raid			forheriung forhave		abstain, relinquish			forhabban forhaveness		abstinence				forhæfnes forlead			 to seduce				forlæden forlet			relinquish, abandon			forlætan forletness		remission, abandonment		forletnis forlie			perjure					forleogan forride			intercept with vehicle/ horse a.s.f.	forridan forrot			corrode				forrotian forsakeness		rejection, abandonment		forsæcennes forshape		transform				forscieppan forspeak		favour, advocate			forspæc forspeaker		sponsor, advocate			forspeca forspeech		advocacy				forspæc forspend		squander				forspendan forspoken		advocated				foresprecan forstand		block, prevent, obstruct		forstandan forswey		ignore, pass in silence			forswigian forthbring		accomplish, achieve			forðbrengan forthfroming		departure				forðfromung forthway		departure				forþweg forthshaft		future					forðgesceaft forthstepping		advance				forðstæpping forthyearnful		impetuous				forðgeorn fortrueing		presumption				fortruwung forwardness		progress				forðweardnes forwork		forfeit, ruin, undo/ destroy effort, labour/ work	forwyrcan forworth		be ruined				forweorðan forworthness		devaluation				forweorðenes foryield		recompense, requite			forgieldan frameful		constructive, positive 			fremful framefully 		constructivly, positivly			fremfulic frimdy			curious, inquisitive			frymdig frith			peace					friþ frithstow		reseve (f.e.wildlife)			friþstowe fullframe		to complete				fullfremman fullframed		completed				fulfremed fullframedly		completely				fullfremedlice fullframedness 	completion				fulfremednes fullgo			complete (such as duration of time)	fullgan fullsomeness		abundance				fulsumnes fullwork		complete (such as a task, construction, action)	fulwyrcan

G

gatheredness		abscess					gegaderednes gatheringly		collectivly				gadrigendlic gearingness		preparation				gearwungnes guestlithe		hospitable				giestliðe guestlitheness	hospitality				giestliðnes

H

harmshare		punishment				hearmscearu Harvestmonth	September				Hærfesmonað haveless		destitute				hafenleas headly			principal, capital			heafodlic hean			abject, despised			hean heanly			base, despicable, low			heanlic healness		salvation				hælnes hearsome		attentive				hiersum hearsomeness		attentiveness				hiersumnes heavytime		oppressive				hefigtyme hinderness		hinderance				hindernes hipboneache		sciatica					hypebanece hoardvat		coffer					hordfæt holdness		observance				healdnes holdsome		economical				healdsum holdsomeness		preservation, restraint, custody		healdsumnes hotheartedness	ardour					hatheortnes hue			colour					hiw huebright		brightly coloured			hiwbeorht hueless		colourless				hiwleas

I

idleyearnful		indolent				idelgeorn inbequeath		to inculcate				inbecqeðan indrink		imbibe					indrincan infare			incursion				infare infleshness		incarnation				inflescnes ingoer			visitor					ingenga ingoing		entrance				ingang inheaten		to inflame				inhætan inlead			introduce				inlædan inlighten		enlighten				inlihtan inlightness		enlightenment				inlihtnes inly			internally				inlic inning			content					innung inset			institute				insettan insetness		institution, regulation			insetnes inshowing		inspection				insceawung inthink		intention				ingeþanc inwitness		concience, conciousness		ingewitness inwriting		inscription 				inwritting

K

kinly			pertaining to family/ kin		cynlic

Ll landfee		ground-rent				londfeoh lessness		minority				leasnes likeworthy		acceptable, nice, likeable		licwerþe likeworthily							licwyrþlice likeworthiness						licwyrþnes longsome		tedious					langsum longsomely		tediously				langsumlic longsomeness		tediousness				langsumnes

M

manifoldly 		(from manifold=multiply/ multiple)	manigfealdlic manifoldness 		multiplicity, abundance, complexity	manigfealdnes midfastness		moderation				midfæstnes midmost		most central				midmest middlest		most central (superlative of middle)	midlest Midsummermonth	June					Midsumermonað mightly		possible				mihtelic mildheart(ed)ness	(meaning obvious)			mildheortnes mindlyness		rememberance				myndiglicnes mindworth		worth remembering/ minding		gemyndwyrðe misbirth 		miscarriage				misbyrd misborn		degenerate				misboren misdo			do incorrectly/wrongly, transgress	misdon mislikeness		dissimilarity, difference		mislicneyss moonly		lunar					monlic moonsick		lunatic					monseoc moory			abounding in moors 			morig mouthroof		palate					muðhrof mousehawk		buzzard				mushafoc muchness		size					micelnes

N

needly			necessary				nydlic needness		necessity				nydnes

O oathbreach		perjury					aðbryce offdo			remove					ofdon offgive			relinquish, release to, abandon		ofgiefan offlet			relinquish				oflætan offthink		digress					ofþyncan oldness		old age					ealdnyss onbeload		inflict on				onbelædan onbeshowing		examination				onbesceawung onbide			expect, await				onbidan onfind			discover, notice			onfindan onfoundness		experience				onfundennys onget			notice, perceive			ongietan ongetful		perceptive				andgietful ongetfully		perceptivly				andgitfullice ongetless		lacking perception			andgietless ongetness		perception				ongietennes onlease		release					onlysan onlighten		illuminate				onlihtan onshot			attack (f.e. by shooting, also spoken)	onscyte onsong		incantation				onsang onthereto		in addition, additionally		on þærto ourlandish		of this country				urelandisc outgoing		exit, exodus				utgong outkind		extraneous				utacund overfare		travel over				overfaran overfindness		experiment				oferfundenness overflowness		superfluity				oferflownes overlive		survive					oferlibban overlove		(meaning obvious)			oferlufu overmoodyness	(meaning obvious)			ofermodignes overwork		superstructure				ofergeweorc ownwilled							agnes willan

R

readly			expedient				rædlic righting		correction				rihting rightwise		just, in a correct way			rihtwis righwiseness		justice, righteousness			rihtwisnyss roomheart(ed)	generous				rumheort rootfast		firmly established			rotfæst roughmood		(meaning obvious)			hreohmod

S

sealy			maritime, marine			sælic scathe			injure					sceaððan scatheful		injurious				sceaðful scatheness		injury					sceaððignes searim			coast					særima seenly			visible					gesiendlic seldly			rare					seldlic selfdom		independence				selfdom selfly			egotistic				selflic selfmurder(ing)	suicide					selfmyrðrung selfmurderer		one who takes own life			selfmyrðra setness		foundation, composition, settlement, arrangement	setness shadewise		rational					sceadwis shadewiseness	discretion, discrimination		sceadwisnes shandful		disgraceful				scandful shandliness		disgrace				scandlicnes shandly							scandlic shielder		protector				scildend shieldness		protection				scildnes shoting		missile					scotung sidely			descrete				sidelic slithe			cruel, savage				sliðen smalling		atrophy					smalung smathinkly		in detail				smeaðanclic sorrowly		miserable				sorglic sorrowleath n		lament					sorgleoð sparstone		gypsum				spærstan stead			place, location				stede steerer			director				steorend steerless		profligate, out of control		steorleas steerlessly		profligately, unmanageably		steorleaslic steerspeech		guidance (spoken)			steorsprec stevven		voice					stemn stirness		commotion				styrenes stovebath		sauna					stofbæð suchness		nature, reality, quality			swelcnes sunderfreedom	privilege				sundorfreodom sunderly		special					sundorlic sunly			solar					sunlic

T

thankworthy		acceptable, pleasing			þoncwyrðe thoughting		consideration, deliberation		þeahtung thrithely		excellent				þryþlic throughdrench	to saturate				þurhdrencan throughholed		pierced, holed				þurhholod throughlooking	perusal					þurhlocung throughseek		to research				þurhsecan throughwone		persist, continue			þurhwunian trueless		false					treowleas truelessness		falsehood				treowleasnes twofoldly		doubly					twifealdlic twofoldness		duplication				twifealdnes twowordy		ambiguous				twiwyrdig

U

unbearinglike	 	intolerable				unaberendlic unbefought		uncontested				unbefohten underbear		support				underberan underdriveness	subjection				underdrifenness underget		perceive				undergietan underseek		investigate				undersecan underthink		meditate				underðencan unforcouth		not notorious, without dishonour	unforcuþ unframeful		negative				unfremful unfrith			hostility				unfriþ unfulframing		incompletion				unfulfremming unhold			disloyal					unhold unlored		ignorant				ungelæred unmightly		impossibile				unmihtlic unmightlyness	impossibility				unmihtilicnys unrightwise		unjust					unrihtwis unrightwiseness	injustice, iniquity			unrehtwisnis unstillness		movement, disturbance		unstilness untrimness		(infirmity) state of not being trim	untrymnes unwinsome		unpleasant 				unwinsum unwinsomeness        unpleasantness				unwinsumnes upariseness		resurection				uparisnes upgoing		ascent					upgang

W

wedbreach		divorce, adultery			wedbryce welwilling							welwillende welwillingly		}(meanings obvious) 			welwillendlic welwillingness						welwillendnes whelm			surge, fervour				wylm whilewendly		temporary, transitory			hwilwendlic widegoing 		itinerant, widely travelled		widgenge wilsomeness		state of being voluntary		wilsumnes winsomeness		pleasure, delight			wynsumnes witherchoose		reject, change choice, deselect		wiðerceosan witherling		opponent, adversary			wiðerling withersake		adversary				wiþersaca witherspeaker		contradictor				wiðersprecend witherward		contrary, opposite			wiðerweard witherwardly		contrarily, inimically			wiðerweardlic witherwardness	opposition				wiðerweardnes withgo			vanish, disappear			wiðgan withleadness		abduction by leading off		wiþlædniss withsake		renounce				wiðsacan withsay		to renounce				wiðsecgan withsetness		opposition				wiðsetnes woetoken		portent, sign of misfortune		weatacn wordful		fluent					wordful wordlock		words fitting together to make sense, logic	   wordloc wordlore		etymology				wordlar wordmark		definition				wordgemearc wordwinsome		affable, happy to talk			wordwynsum wordwrestle		debate, argue, discuss			wordum wrixlan workcraft		mechanics				weorccræft workness		operation				weorcnes worldshame		great or public disgrace			woroldscamu worthful		valuable				weorðful

Y

yearnful		full of yearning				geornful yearnfulness		state of being yearnful			geornfulnes yearnfully							geornfulic yelpword		boast					gielpword yetsing		avarice, covetousness, desire		gitsung yondfare		travel to a place away			geondfaran yondlighten		illuminate				geondlyhtan yondsend		distribute				geondsendan yondshow		reveal, open to scrutinization		geondsceawian yondthink		contemplate				geondþencan youthhood		adolescence				geoguþhad

Booklist. A Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary. J.R. Clark Hall. 4th Ed 1960. 1996 reprint, University 										of Toronto Press A Guide to Old English (5th Ed.). Bruce Mitchell and Fred C Robinson. Blackwell, 1994. Wordcraft. Concise Dictionary & Thesaurus, Modern English-Old English. Stephen Pollington. Anglo-Saxon Books 1993.

Endspeak.

May frimdy folk find forshaped forthshaft, From blithe, lively, thrithely forebears' speech;

In former times, beleaned by and by, Winsome words - which worthy were.

Forlet her not - fair folkright: English tongue - ourlandish eldright!