Showing posts with label Middle English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle English. Show all posts

Archaic Words and Phrases

Hello all!

Summer is so ending and I eagerly await cooler temperatures as days begin to grow shorter. I find I have more time to be at my laptop and it's been a while since I did some archaic words and phrases, so let's see what I have here. As in the past, I chose words that are archaic and originated before the 16th century. The English language is ever changing but as a writer, I am still interested in these old terms from long ago. I hope you can use some of these in your writing!


Askance - Origin Unknown - First Known Use: 1530
adverb
: in a way that shows a lack of trust or approval
:  with a side-glance :  obliquely
:  with disapproval or distrust :  scornfully <they eyed the stranger askance>

Troth - Middle English - First Known Use: 12th century
noun
Loyal or pledged faithfulness :  fidelity <pledged my troth>
One's pledged word <I don't remember the details or, by my troth, even the gist — Stanley Elkin>; also :  betrothal

Dingle - Middle English, deep hollow - First Known Use: 13th century
noun
A small wooded valley :  dell
A deep hollow, usually shaded with trees
 
Fraught - Middle English - First Known Use: 14th century
archaic
a :  laden
b :  well supplied or provided
Full of or accompanied by something specified —used with with <a situation fraught with danger>
Causing or characterized by emotional distress or tension :  uneasy <a fraught relationship>

Damsel - Middle English - First Known Use: 13th century
noun
A girl or young woman who is not married
archaic :  a young unmarried woman of noble birth

Wist - alteration of wis - First Known Use: 1500
verb
transitive verb
archaic : to know
  
"Wist you not that I be about my father's business?"
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There is not overmuch to do here.  (too much)

She showed pluck in getting up on stage.   (courage & determination)

More Archaic Words and Phrases

Good morning, friends!

Its been a busy week so far. I am putting the final changes to The Priestess and the Ravenknight and while I was doing this I jotted down a few new words to share with you this fine cool October day. Again, I have looked these up using www.merriam-webster.com or www.collinsdictionary.com. I try to avoid any words that weren't invented until after the 17th century. The earlier, the better! For those readers who are new here, I have a fondness for archaic/old terminology in my writing. Those of you who write historical or medieval fiction may find these helpful and interesting.




Shrewed - Middle English - First Known Use: 13th century
1. archaic :  mischievous     2. obsolete :  abusive, shrewish   
3. obsolete :  ominous, dangerous
It now also means severe, stubborn, hard and savvy.

Bode - Middle English - First Known Use: before 12th century
1. archaic :  to announce beforehand :  foretell
2. to indicate by signs :  presage 
Evermore - First Known Use: 13th century
1. Forever, always, in the future, eternally, everlastingly

KnaveMiddle English - First Known Use: before 12th century
This word has changed a lot from it's archaic use. 
1. archaic : a boy or male servant. A man of humble birth.
2. A playing card also known as a jack.
3. A deceitful fellow.

Tidings - Middle English - First Known Use: before 12th century
1.  a piece of news —usually used in plural <good tidings>
  
Villein/Villain Middle English - First Known Use: before 14th century
1. (in medieval Europe) a peasant personally bound to his lord, to whom he paid dues and services, sometimes commuted to rents, in return for his land
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We will be undone = We will be ruined or destroyed.

I bear no malice = I feel no anger towards someone/something. I feel no desire to harm.

Do not vex me. = Don't confuse or annoy me. 

I have a score of tasks to accomplish. = I have a great number (or lots) of things to do.

You have pluck! = You have courage!


 
 

More Archaic Words

Greetings! It's been awhile since I shared a few more of my favorite archaic words I try to use in my writing. Tonight I would like to cover some archaic samples of greeting others. As usual, I used the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and an (online) glossary book written by Shakespeare. Enjoy!
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Good morrow = Good morning 
(13th cent. noun)

Good day = Good day (said before noon)
(12th cent noun)

Hail or Greetings = Hello or Salutations
(13th cent noun)

God ye good den or Good den =  Good evening or good day (said after noon)
(according to The Works of William Shakespeare it means "God give you good e'en")

Good e'entide = Good evening or good night 
e'en = evening + tide = A time or season. Often used in combination: eventide; Christmastide; Shrovetide. (13th cent. noun)
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Next post will be samples of saying good-bye.



Archaic Words for the Day

Abide = Tolerate, await, to remain stable or fixed in a state, to continue in a place, to accept without objection


Middle English, from Old English ābīdan, from ā-, perfective prefix + bīdan to bide; akin to Old High German ir-, perfective prefix — more at BIDE
Synonyms:  stay, dwell, hang around, remain, stick around, tarry
First Known Use: before 12th century


Befall = To happen as if by fate , occur

Middle English, from Old English āwiht, from ā ever + wiht creature, thing — more at aye, wight
First Known Use: 13th century

As you will = (adv archaic) Expressing obedience: as you wish or as you like

I have found a nice website today I Bequeath Thee for those that would like to know more words. I will post such links as I find them so that you can peruse the glossaries, as you will. :)