Masculine Nouns

 

Most masculine nouns decline like stán, by simply adding the endings as necessary.  This is true of about 99% of masculine nouns, including those with suffixes –dóm, -ing, -ling, and –els.

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	stán	þá	þás	stánas
genitive	þæs	þisses	stánes	þára	þissa	stána
dative	þǽm	þissum	stáne	þǽm	þissum	stánum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	stáne	þǽm	þissum	stánum
Accusative	þone	þisne	stán	þá	þás	stánas

 

NOTE: Nouns like dæg, with æ and one consonant at the end, change æ to a in the plural [dagas, daga, dagum].  The word mǽg kinsman is irregular, plural either mágas (common), or mǽgas.

NOTE: Nouns like mearh drop the h ending in inflected forms, and lengthen the vowel [méares, méaras].

NOTE: The words scóh shoe, slóh slough, mire, and eoh horse don’t add ending vowels in inflected cases.  So, in order, scóh is [scós, scó; pl scós, scóna, scóm, scós], slóh is [slós, sló; pl slós, slóna, slóm, slós], and eoh is [éos, éo; pl éos, éona, éom, éos].

 

Grammar: Use the instrumental to tell by what something is done: he áswefede synnum his ealdorscipe he destroyed his eldership by sins.  Hé ríxað tornum he rules by grief.

 

VOCAB:

Animals

ǽl – eel

bár – boar

bucc – buck

bulluc – bullock

cocc – cock

earn – eagle

eoh – horse

eolh – elk

fearh – pig, boar

fisc – fish

forsc – frog

fox – fox

géac – cuckoo

hǽring – herring

hengest – horse

hund – dog

hwæl – whale

mearh – horse

seolh – seal (animal)

swertling – titlark

wulf – wolf

People

beorn - warrior

bydel - beadle

ceorl – churl

cniht – boy

cyning – king

dweorg – dwarf

eorl – nobleman

gást – spirit

hæft – captive

hwelp – whelp

mǽg – kinsman

þegn – thane

þéof – thief

wealh – foreigner

wer – man

 

Concepts

áð – oath

borg - pledge

céap – price

coss – kiss

cræft – skill, strength

cwealm – death

dóm – doom

dream – joy, revelry

fæðm – embrace

fléam – flight

gang – going

gielp – boasting

hlæst – burden

hréam – cry, shout, uproar

torn – grief

þanc – thought

wæstm – growth

 

Nature

æcer – field

bæst – bast

béam – tree

beorg - hill

blóstm – blossom

bóg - bough

bolt – bolt

bróm – broom (the plant)

clam – mud

clút – patch

cnoll – knoll

codd – cod, husk

cropp – sprout

forst – frost

hægl – hail

hærfest – autumn

healm – haulm

hláf - loaf

horh – dirt

hrím – rime

hýdels – hiding place, cave

mæst – mast

mór – moor

múð – mouth

regn - rain

sealh – willow

slóh – slough, mire

stán – stone

storm – storm

stréam – stream

swamm – fungus

 

Body

beard – beard

bearm - bosom

bósm – bosom

búc – stomach

cnyttels – sinew

earm – arm

heals – neck

hóf – hoof

lást – footprint

múð – mouth

nægl – nail

 

Clothing / Accessories

béag – ring, bracelet

gyrdels – girdle

helm – helmet

hring – ring

scóh – shoe

séam – seam

smocc – smock

stæf – staff

wrigels – covering

 

Buildings / Places

botm – bottom

byrgels – tomb

ealh – temple

geard – yard

hám – home

healh – corner

hwamm – corner

pearroc – park

rúm – room

stól – stool

þorp – farm, village

þrop – farm, village

weall – wall

 

Other

ád – funeral pile

bát – boat

béod - table

brand – firebrand

brǽð – odor

brǽdels – covering, carpet

brídels – birdle

bydel - beadle

camb – comb

cassuc – sedge

céac – jug

céol – ship

cláð – cloth

cocc – cock

cocer – quiver

dæg – day

fǽtels – vessel, tub

hnæpp – cup

mattuc – mattock

mǽrels – mooring-rope

miercels – mark

nægl – nail

pæð – path

pott – pot

ráp – rope

rǽdels – riddle

récels – incense

sceaft – shaft

sceatt – property, money

smierels – ointment

sticels – goad

weg – way

 

Pronouns

hé – he (nominative); pl híe – they

his – his (genitive); pl hira – their; (hiera, heora)

him – him (dative); pl him - them

hine – him (accusative); pl híe - them

 

 

Masculine Nouns that are also feminine and neuter

slóh – slough, mire

 

Masculine nouns that are also Neuter

eoh – horse

horh – dirt

 

Further Study

-ing, -ling: Forms nouns denoting people from adjectives

-dóm: forms nouns denoting state, condition

-oð/-að: forms a gerund (-ing form) from a verb stem

 

Further Nouns to Study

Activities

campdóm – contest, war

fiscnoð – fishing

fiscoð – fishing

fugelnoð – fowling

fugeloð – fowling

huntoð – hunting

sǽdnoð – sowing

 

People

æðeling – son of a noble, prince

cnæpling – youth

déorling – favorite, darling

fóstorling – foster-child

gædeling – companion

geongling – youth

gesibling – kinsman

hæftling – prisoner

héafodling – equal, companion

hearding – hero, bold man

ierðling – ploughman

ierming – poor wretch

lýtling – child

needling – slave, bondman

rǽpling – prisoner

þéowling – slave

 

Objects

bíesting – first milk of a cow after calving

cásering – a coin

cynedóm – kingdom

féorðling – farthing, forth part

hemming – shoe of hide

lǽcedóm – medicine

scilling – shilling

silfring – silver coin

 

Animals

hǽring – herring

swertling – titlark

 

Concepts

drohtað – way of life

fréodóm – freedom

langoð – longing, desire

reccenddóm – rule, governance

sweoloð – heat, burning

swícdóm – deceit

swoloð – heat, burning

þéowdóm - service

 

Other

abbuddóm – abbacy

drúgoð – dryness, drought

ealdordóm – authority

hæftedóm – captivity

hláforddóm – lordship

hýrling – hireling

láréowdóm – office of teacher

 

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Ending in E

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	ende	þá	þás	endas
genitive	þæs	þisses	endes	þára	þissa	senda
dative	þǽm	þissum	ende	þǽm	þissum	endum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	ende	þǽm	þissum	endum
Accusative	þone	þisne	ende	þá	þás	endas

 

Nouns like ende, which already end in e, do not add the e of the singular endings; in plural, the e is dropped, and the plural endings are added.

 

Nouns like secg, ending in cg, may add an e in the plural [secgeas, secgea, secgeum].

The noun here is declined as such: (heries, herges, heriges), (herie, herge, herige); pl (herias, hergas, herigas, herigeas), (heria, heriga, herigea), (herium, herigum);

 

Vocab

Animals

bridd – young bird

mycg – midge (small, two-winged gnat-like insect)

 

People

bæcere – baker

biddere – petitioner

bócere – scribe

costere – tempter

créopere – cripple

dréamere – musician

drincere – drinker

esne – servant

etere – eater

folgere – follower

fugelere – fowler

gítsere – miser

godspellere – evangelist

hearpere – harper

hierde – shepherd

hordere – steward, treasurer

hwǽte – wheat

hwistlere – piper

lǽce – physician

lǽnere – lender

léasere – hypocrite

léogere – liar

leornere – disciple, learner

mæcg – man

mǽðere – mower

mangere – merchant, trader

méce – sword

réafere – robber

reccere – ruler

sǽdere – sower

sǽdere – sower

sangere – singer

scipere – sailor

séamere – tailor

secg – man

sútere – shoe-maker

tollere – tax-gatherer

wrítere - writer

 

Nature

cnyll – knell

hyll – hill

 

Other

dynn – noise

ende – end

here – army

hlynn – loud sound

hrycg – back, ridge

wecg – wedge

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Two-syllable nouns

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	engel	þá	þás	englas
genitive	þæs	þisses	engles	þára	þissa	engla
dative	þǽm	þissum	engle	þǽm	þissum	englum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	engle	þǽm	þissum	englum
Accusative	þone	þisne	engel	þá	þás	englas

 

Nouns such as engel, with a long stem syllable and a short middle syllable, syncopate in inflected cases.

 

Vocab:

People

áðum – son-in-law

bealdor – prince

déofol – devil

dryhten – lord

ealdor – prince

þegen - thane

þegn – thane

Things

angel – fish-hook

bíetel – mallet

bolster – bolster

máðum – treasure

nægl – nail

ofen – oven

þýmel – thimble, thumbstall

 

Animals

fugol – bird, fowl

 

Nature

ǽled – fire

blóstm – blossom

 

Body Part

bósm – bosom

finger – finger

 

Plants

brémel – bramble

 

Other

botm – bottom

ellen – zeal, courage, strength

engel – angel

fæðm – embrace

hægel – hail

hægl – hail

hagol – hail

hleahtor – laughter

morgen – morning

ófer – shore

regen – rain

regn – rain

wæstm – growth

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Short-Stems O/O

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	heofon	þá	þás	heofenas
genitive	þæs	þisses	heofones	þára	þissa	heofena
dative	þǽm	þissum	heofone	þǽm	þissum	heofenum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	heofone	þǽm	þissum	heofenum
Accusative	þone	þisne	heofon	þá	þás	heofenas

 

These nouns, like heofon, decline like stán in the singular, but change the second vowel to e in the plural.  These nouns have eo/y/a/ea/o in the first syllable, but will always have an o in the second.

 

Vocab:

Nature

heofon – heaven

metod – Creator

rodor – sky

þunor - thunder

 

Things

cradol – cradle

daroð – dart, spear

hamor – hammer

sadol – saddle

stapol – pillar

 

Places

eodor – enclosure

 

Animals

eofor – boar

hafoc – hawk

heafoc – hawk

heorot – stag, hart

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Ending in U/W

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	bearu	þá	þás	bearwas
genitive	þæs	þisses	bearwes	þára	þissa	bearwa
dative	þǽm	þissum	bearwe	þǽm	þissum	bearwum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	bearwe	þǽm	þissum	bearwum
Accusative	þone	þisne	bearu	þá	þás	bearwas

 

Nouns like bearu, which end in u, change the u to w in all inflected cases.

Nouns like þéo/þéow add a w and shorten the vowel in inflected cases.

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	þéo	þá	þás	þeowas
genitive	þæs	þisses	þeowes	þára	þissa	þeowa
dative	þǽm	þissum	þeowe	þǽm	þissum	þeowum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	þeowe	þǽm	þissum	þeowum
Accusative	þone	þisne	þéo	þá	þás	þeowas

 

Nouns like þéo/w are: béaw, déaw, láréow, láttéow, þéaw, bríw, gíw/géow, íw/íow/éow, slíw

 

Vocab:

Nature

bearu – grove

déaw – dew

éow – yew

íow - yew

íw – yew

 

People

láréow – teacher (from lár, þéow)

láttéow – leader (from lád, þéow)

þéo – servant

þéow – servant

 

Food

bríw – pottage, porridge

 

Animals

béaw – gadfly

géow – griffin, vulture

gíw – griffin, vulture

slíw – tench (a fish)

 

Other

þéaw – custom

 

Masculine Nouns also Neuter

déaw - dew

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Ending in E / Nationalities

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	wine	þá	þás	winas, wine
genitive	þæs	þisses	wines	þára	þissa	wina, winia
dative	þǽm	þissum	wine	þǽm	þissum	winum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	wine	þǽm	þissum	winum
Accusative	þone	þisne	wine	þá	þás	winas, wine

 

Nouns like wine typically decline like other nouns ending in e (ende, etc.), and -scipe nouns, but earlier texts have uninflected plurals.

Nationalities, the names of peoples, such as Dene Danes, Engle the English, Mierce Mercians, Norðhymbre Northumbrians, Seaxe Saxons, ielde men, ielfe elves, léode/líode people, stede places preserve the e plural.  Seaxe and Mierce have Seaxna, Miercna in the genitive plural.

Nouns like giest decline like normal nouns.

The noun hyse is [hyssas, hyssa, hyssum, hyssas] in the plural, and ile is [illas, illa, illum, illas] in the plural. The word mete is [mettas, metta, mettum, mettas] in the plural.

The noun drý inflects as [gen drýs, dat drý; pl drýas, drýa, drýum, drýas]

The noun sǽ inflects as [gen sǽs, dat sǽ; pl sǽs, sǽwa, sǽm/sǽwum, sǽs]

 

Vocab:

Nature

æsc – ash-tree

bere – barley

ciele – cold

dene – valley

ele – oil

fyrs – furze; (a prickly evergreen shrub of the legume family)

hege – hedge

líeg – flame

lyft – air

mere – lake, pool

ryge – rye

sǽ - sea

smíec – smoke

wǽg – wave

wiell – spring

 

Animals

wyrm – worm

mǽw – seagull

 

People

byre – son

drý - magician

ent – giant

giest – guest

hæle – man, hero

hyse – youth, son; pl hyssas

þyle – orator

þyrs – giant

túnscipe – inhabitants of a village

wine – friend

 

Concepts

ǽrist – resurrection

dryhtscipe – sovereignty

féondscipe – hostility

fracodscipe – vileness

fréondscipe – friendship

géapscipe – deceit

geférscipe – companionship

gemǽnscipe – fellowship, communion

gódscipe – goodness

gryre – terror

gylt – guilt

gyte – pouring forth

hláfordscipe – lordship

holdscipe – loyalty

hwætscipe – bravery

léc – sight, looking at

list – skill, cunning

manscipe – humanity

pliht – danger, peril

prútscipe – pride

swyle – swelling

swylt – death

wærscipe – prudence

wlite – brightness, beauty

 

Body Parts

bile – beak

hype – hip

ile – sole of the foot; pl illas

 

Things

béorscipe – feast

drenc – drink

mene – necklace

mete – food; pl mettas

scenc – cup, draught

sele – hall

snide – incision

steng – pole

stice – stitch

streng – string

 

Other

bite – bite

blǽd – blast, breath

blǽst – blast

brine – burning

bryce – breach

brygd – brandishing

burgscipe – township

byge – curve

byht – bend

byrst – loss

cáfscipe – activity

cierm – clamor

cierr – turn, change

cwide – saying, speech

cyme – advent

cyre – choice

dǽl – part

drepe – stroke, blow

dryer – fall

dyne – din

dynt – dint

ege – fear

feng – grasp

fiell – fall

fierst – period of time

flyge – flight

flyht – flight

glǽm – gleam

gripe – grasp

hǽðenscipe – paganism

hefe – weight

hete – hate

hlíep – leap

hlyst – sense of hearing

hrine – touch

hryre – fall

hwyrft – turning, circuit

hyge – mind

hyht – hope

lǽst – track

lyge – falsehood

lyre – loss

myne – memory

ryne – course

sǽl – time

scyfe – shove

scyte – shooting

sice – sigh

sige – victory

sinscipe – wedlock

slege – stroke, blow

slide – slip

slieht – slaughter

slite – slit

stæpe – step

stede – place

stenc – odor

stiell – leap

stige – ascent

stride – stride

swég – sound, noise

þéodscipe – nation

tyht – training, instruction

wielm – boiling

wrenc – trick, stratagem

 

 

Masculine Nouns that are also feminine

ǽrist – resurrection

hlyst – sense of hearing

lyft – air

sǽ - sea; [gen sǽ/sǽwe, dat sǽ/sǽwe; pl ]

sǽl - time

 

Masculine nouns that were originally neuter

bere – barley

ege – fear

ele - oil

hete – hate

mene – necklace

mere – make, pool

sige - victory

 

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Ending in U / A inflected

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	sunu	þá	þás	suna
genitive	þæs	þisses	suna	þára	þissa	suna
dative	þǽm	þissum	suna	þǽm	þissum	sunum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	suna	þǽm	þissum	sunum
Accusative	þone	þisne	sunu	þá	þás	suna

 

Nouns like sunu drop the u and add the inflectional endings.

Nouns like feld simply add the inflectional endings.

The noun æppel syncopates in inflected cases, appla, applum.

 

 

 

 

Vocab:

Nature

æppel – apple; pl appla; (also regular æpples/æples, æpplas/æplas)

feld – field

ford – ford

lagu – sea, flood

séað – pit, spring

weald – forest

wudu – wood

 

People

bregu – prince, ruler

magu – son, man

sunu – son

 

Things

gár – spear

hearg – temple

heoru – sword

medu – mead

meodu – mead

spitu – spit

 

Time Periods

sumor – summer

winter – winter; pl wintra

 

Concepts

abbudhád – rank of an abbot

camphád – warfare

cildhád – childhood

cnihthád – boyhood

eard – native country

fulwihthád – baptismal vow

geoguðhád – youth

hád – rank, condition

héalichád – loftiness

mægdenhád – maidenhood

mǽgðhád – relationship

munuchád – monastic state

préosthád – priesthood

sidu – custom

þéowhád – service

werhád – manhood, male sex

wífhád – womanhood

 

Masculine Nouns that are also neuter

æppel; pl applu, aplu

winter; neuter in pl wintru, winter

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Umlaut

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	fót	þá	þás	fét
genitive	þæs	þisses	fótes	þára	þissa	fóta
dative	þǽm	þissum	fét	þǽm	þissum	fótum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	fét	þǽm	þissum	fótum
Accusative	þone	þisne	fót	þá	þás	fét

 

Nouns like fót, umlaut in the dative/instrumental singular, and in the nom/acc plural.  Only tóð, mann, wífman are like it.

 

Vocab:

People

mann – man

wífmann – woman

 

Body Parts

fót – foot

tóð - tooth

 

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Ending in ð

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	hæle, hæleð	þá	þás	hæleð
genitive	þæs	þisses	hæleðes	þára	þissa	hæleða
dative	þǽm	þissum	hæleðe	þǽm	þissum	hæleðum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	hæleðe	þǽm	þissum	hæleðum
Accusative	þone	þisne	hæleð	þá	þás	hæleð

 

Only hæle and mónað decline like this.  Mónað has the inflected forms [gen móneðes/mónðes; dat móneðe/mónðe; pl gen móneða/mónða, dat móneðum/mónðum].

 

Vocab:

People

hæle, hæleð – hero, man

 

Time Periods

mónað – month

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Family Terms

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	bróðor	þá	þás	bróðor, bróðru
genitive	þæs	þisses	bróðores	þára	þissa	bróðra
dative	þǽm	þissum	bréðer	þǽm	þissum	bróðrum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	bréðer	þǽm	þissum	bróðrum
Accusative	þone	þisne	bróðor	þá	þás	bróðor, bróðru

 

Only bróðor declines like this.  Fæder is typically undeclined in the singular (or may have genitive es) and declines like stán in the plural [fæderas, fædera, fæderum, fæderas].

A collective plural gebróðru brethren also exists.

 

Vocab:

People

bróðor – brother

fæder – father

gebróðru - brethren

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Nouns ending in -nd

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	fréond	þá	þás	fríend, fréond, fréondas
genitive	þæs	þisses	fréondes	þára	þissa	fréonda
dative	þǽm	þissum	fríend, fréonde	þǽm	þissum	fréondum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	fríend, fréonde	þǽm	þissum	fréondum
Accusative	þone	þisne	fréond	þá	þás	fríend, fréond, fréondas

 

Nouns like fréond include féond, téond, góddónd (and other –dónd compounds), and the collective plurals gefíend, gefríend.  The second dative form, and the second/third plural forms are alternate forms that occurred later.  The first forms are normal and regular.

Nouns like wígend do not umlaut like fréond.  This is every other noun ending in nd.  Alternate plurals include wígende (adj-based) and wígendas (noun-based).

 

Vocab:

ágend – owner

beswícend – deceiver

éhtend – persecutor

féond – enemy; pl fiend

fréond – friend; pl fríend

galend – enchanter

gefíend – enemies

gefríend – friends

góddónd – benefactor; pl góddénd

hǽlend – Savior, Jesus

helpend – helper

hettend – enemy

hlystend – listener

lǽstend – doer

líðend – sailor, traveler

metend – measurer

nergend – Savior

nerigend – Savior

reccend – ruler

rídend – rider

scéotend – warrior

secgend – speaker

sellend – giver

sémend – arbitrator

tǽlend – reprover

wealdend – ruler

wígend – warrior

wrecend - avenger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further Types of Masculine Nouns: Weak Nouns / Ending in -a

 

Case / Number	the/that	this	singular	the/those	these	plural
nominative	se	þes	guma	þá	þás	guman
genitive	þæs	þisses	guman	þára	þissa	gumena
dative	þǽm	þissum	guman	þǽm	þissum	gumum
instrumental	þý/þon	þýs/þís	guman	þǽm	þissum	gumum
Accusative	þone	þisne	guman	þá	þás	guman

 

Nouns like guma simply add –n throughout the singular and nom/acc pl.  The genitive is formed by dropping the a, and adding –ena.

Nouns like fréa are few, and the only difference is the genitive and dative plural.  The genitive is fréana (without e), and dative is fréam (without u) or fréaum.  Like fréa are fléa, gefá, ge/féa, léo, rá, twéo, and wéa

The noun Swéon Swedes simply adds an a in the genitive plural, and um in the dative plural.

 

Vocab:

Nature

blóstma – blossom

cleofa – cleft, cave

léoma – ray of light

móna – moon

scua – shadow

scuwa – shadow

stela – stalk

steorra – star

telga – branch

 

People

ǽrendra – messenger

andsaca – adversary

bana – slayer

béna – suppliant; (a person who supplicates; petitioner)

boda – messenger

bylda – builder

cnapa – boy

cuma – guest, stranger

eafora – son

féða – band of infantry

flíema – fugitive

flota – sailor

fréa – lord

freca – warrior

gefá – foe

geféra – companion

gehola – protector

gerúna – councilor

gesaca – adversary

geþofta – companion

guma – man

híwan – members of a household; pl noun

hunta – hunter

lida – sailor

nefa – nephew

óretta – warrior

scaða – foe, enemy

slaga – slayer

Swéon – Swedes; gen Swéona, dat Swéonum

swica – deceiver

þearfa – pauper

wita – sage, wise man

wítega – prophet

wyrhta – worker

 

Animals

apa – ape

assa – ass

bera – bear

blanca – horse

bucca – he-goat

crabba – crab

dogga – dog

dora – bumble-bee

fléa – flea

fola – foal; (a young horse, mule, donkey, etc.; colt or filly)

frogga – frog

hana – cock

hara – hare

léo – lion

oxa – ox; pl also exen, œxen

ryðða – mastiff

scréawa – shrew-mouse

snaca – snake

spearwa – sparrow

 

Body Parts

gealla – gall

hafela – head

maga – stomach

sefa – mind, heart

swéora – neck

þúma – thumb

 

Things

ácumba – oakum; (loose, stringy, hemp fiber gotten by taking apart old ropes; used in caulking boat seams, etc.)

besma – besom; (a broom, esp. one made of twigs tied to a handle)

besema – besom; (a broom, esp. one made of twigs tied to a handle)

ǽra – strigil; (instrument of bone/metal used by Greeks & Romans to scrape skin during a bath)

beorma – barm, yeast

cnotta – knot

bolla – bowl

 

Food

bita – bit, morsel

cruma – crumb

sopa – sup

 

Concepts

anda – envy

bróga – terror

byrga – surety

dwolma – chaos

féa – joy

fruma – beginning

geféa – joy

gewuna – custom

inca – grudge

óga – terror

swíma – giddiness

trega – grief, affliction

twéo – doubt

wéa – woe

wela – prosperity

wræcca – exile

wræccea – exile

 

Other

áglǽca - monster

anga – goad

boga – bow

cofa – chamber

dropa – drop

fana – banner

gára – corner

gealga – gallows

geréfa – reeve

haca – hook

loca – enclosure

naca – boat

nama – name

plega – play

pohha – pouch, bag

prica – prick, point

rá – roe

rima – rim

sáda – cord, snare

scanca – shank

scucca – demon

spáca – spoke of a wheel

staca – stake

 

Variant Gender Nouns

 

Masculine Nouns that are also feminine and neuter

slóh – slough, mire

 

Masculine nouns that are also Neuter

æppel; neuter in pl applu, aplu

déaw – dew

eoh – horse

horh – dirt

winter; neuter in pl wintru, winter

 

Masculine Nouns that are also Feminine

ǽrist – resurrection

hlyst – sense of hearing

lyft – air

sǽ - sea; [gen sǽ/sǽwe, dat sǽ/sǽwe; pl ]

sǽl - time

 

Masculine Nouns that were originally neuter; (bere, ege, hete, mene, sige were –ru plurals originally)

bere – barley

ege – fear

ele - oil

hete – hate

mene – necklace

mere – make, pool

sige - victory

 

Masculine Adjectives

 

There are two types of adjective declension: strong and weak.  Strong forms look like the endings of the definite article, and are used when there is no definite article to determine case.  Strong forms are used in the predicate (after wesan, weorðan) in the positive and superlative, and before a noun not preceded by se, þes, or mín.

Weak forms are used after se, þes, and possessive pronouns (mín, þín, his, hire, user, ure, etc.)

 

Case / Number	Singular		Plural
	strong	weak	strong	weak
nominative	blind	blinda	blinde	blindan
genitive	blindes	blindan	blindra	blindra, blindena
dative	blindum	blindan	blindum	blindum
instrumental	blinde	blindan	blindum	blindum
Accusative	blindne	blindan	blinde	blindan

 

Adjectives declined for masculine nouns have no ending in the nominative, just like nouns.  The rest of the endings match almost exactly the endings of the article.  Notice the dative is always um, and the weak forms are always –an in the singular if the noun is not the subject.

Adjectives like blind are normal long-stems (those with a short vowel and more than one consonant, or a long vowel and one consonant), and include adjectives ending in the suffixes -cund, -feald, -fæst and -léas.

Adjectives ending in doubled consonants, like eall or dynn, simplify before other consonants (ealne, etc.)

Adjectives like glæd change æ to a before vowel endings (singular glæd, glades, gladum, glade, glædne; pl glade, glædra, gladum, glade), and keep the æ before consonant endings. Adjectives like glæd are bær, blæc, hræd, hwæt, læt, smæl, sæd, wær, any short stem adjective, and those ending in the suffixes –lic, -sum.  For adjectives, see the adjective lesson, lesson 4.

 

Complete Vocabulary for Masculine Nouns:

VOCAB:

Animals

eofor – boar

hafoc – hawk

heafoc – hawk

heorot – stag, hart

fugol – bird, fowl

apa – ape

assa – ass

ǽl – eel

bár – boar

béaw – gadfly

bera – bear

blanca – horse

bridd – young bird

bucc – buck

bucca – he-goat

bulluc – bullock

cocc – cock

cocc – cock

crabba – crab

dogga – dog

dora – bumble-bee

earn – eagle

eoh – horse

eolh – elk

fearh – pig, boar

fisc – fish

fléa – flea

fola – foal; (a young horse, mule, donkey, etc.; colt or filly)

forsc – frog

fox – fox

frogga – frog

géac – cuckoo

géow – griffin, vulture

gíw – griffin, vulture

hana – cock

hara – hare

hǽring – herring

hengest – horse

hund – dog

hwæl – whale

léo – lion

mǽw – seagull

mearh – horse

mycg – midge (small, two-winged gnat-like insect)

oxa – ox; pl also exen, œxen

rá – roe, roebuck

ryðða – mastiff

scréawa – shrew-mouse

seolh – seal (animal)

slíw – tench (a fish)

snaca – snake

spearwa – sparrow

swertling – titlark

wulf – wolf

wyrm – worm

 

People

áðum – son-in-law

ágend – owner

andsaca – adversary

ǽrendra – messenger

æðeling – son of a noble, prince

bana – slayer

bæcere – baker

bealdor – prince

béna – suppliant; (a person who supplicates; petitioner)

beorn - warrior

beswícend – deceiver

biddere – petitioner

bócere – scribe

boda – messenger

bregu – prince, ruler

bróðor – brother

bydel - beadle

bylda – builder

byre – son

ceorl – churl

cnæpling – youth

cnapa – boy

cniht – boy

costere – tempter

créopere – cripple

cuma – guest, stranger

cyning – king

déofol – devil

déorling – favorite, darling

dréamere – musician

drincere – drinker

drý - magician

dryhten – lord

dweorg – dwarf

eafora – son

ealdor – prince

éhtend – persecutor

ent – giant

eorl – nobleman

esne – servant

etere – eater

fæder – father

féða – band of infantry

féond – enemy; pl fiend

flíema – fugitive

flota – sailor

folgere – follower

fóstorling – foster-child

fréa – lord

freca – warrior

fréond – friend; pl fríend

fugelere – fowler

gædeling – companion

galend – enchanter

gást – spirit

gebróðru - brethren

gefá – foe

geféra – companion

gefíend – enemies

gefríend – friends

gehola – protector

geongling – youth

gerúna – councilor

gesaca – adversary

gesibling – kinsman

geþofta – companion

giest – guest

gítsere – miser

góddónd – benefactor; pl góddénd

godspellere – evangelist

guma – man

hæft – captive

hæftling – prisoner

hæle – man, hero

hæle, hæleð – hero, man

hǽlend – Savior, Jesus

héafodling – equal, companion

hearding – hero, bold man

hearpere – harper

helpend – helper

here – army

hettend – enemy

hierde – shepherd

híwan – members of a household; pl noun

hlystend – listener

hordere – steward, treasurer

hunta – hunter

hwǽte – wheat

hwelp – whelp

hwistlere – piper

hýrling – hireling

hyse – youth, son; pl hyssas

ierðling – ploughman

ierming – poor wretch

lǽce – physician

lǽnere – lender

lǽstend – doer

láréow – teacher (from lár, þéow)

láttéow – leader (from lád, þéow)

léasere – hypocrite

léogere – liar

leornere – disciple, learner

lida – sailor

líðend – sailor, traveler

lýtling – child

mæcg – man

mǽðere – mower

mǽg – kinsman

magu – son, man

mangere – merchant, trader

mann – man

méce – sword

metend – measurer

needling – slave, bondman

nefa – nephew

nergend – Savior

nerigend – Savior

óretta – warrior

rǽpling – prisoner

réafere – robber

reccend – ruler

reccere – ruler

rídend – rider

sǽdere – sower

sangere – singer

scaða – foe, enemy

scéotend – warrior

scipere – sailor

séamere – tailor

secg – man

secgend – speaker

sellend – giver

sémend – arbitrator

slaga – slayer

sunu – son

sútere – shoe-maker

Swéon – Swedes; gen Swéona, dat Swéonum

swica – deceiver

tǽlend – reprover

þearfa – pauper

þegen - thane

þegn – thane

þegn – thane

þéo – servant

þéof – thief

þéow – servant

þéowling – slave

þyle – orator

þyrs – giant

tollere – tax-gatherer

túnscipe – inhabitants of a village

wealdend – ruler

wealh – foreigner

wer – man

wífmann – woman

wígend – warrior

wine – friend

wita – sage, wise man

wítega – prophet

wrecend - avenger

wrítere - writer

wyrhta – worker

 

Nature

æcer – field

ǽled – fire

beorg - hill

blóstm – blossom

blóstma – blossom

bolt – bolt

ciele – cold

clam – mud

cleofa – cleft, cave

clút – patch

cnoll – knoll

cnyll – knell

déaw – dew

dene – valley

ele – oil

feld – field

ford – ford

forst – frost

hægel – hail

hægl – hail

hærfest – autumn

hagol – hail

heofon – heaven

hláf - loaf

horh – dirt

hrím – rime

hýdels – hiding place, cave

hyll – hill

lagu – sea, flood

léoma – ray of light

líeg – flame

lyft – air

mæst – mast

mere – lake, pool

metod – Creator

móna – moon

mór – moor

múð – mouth

regen – rain

regn - rain

regn – rain

rodor – sky

sǽ - sea

scua – shadow

scuwa – shadow

séað – pit, spring

slóh – slough, mire

smíec – smoke

stán – stone

steorra – star

storm – storm

stréam – stream

telga – branch

þunor - thunder

wǽg – wave

weald – forest

wiell – spring

 

Plants

æppel – apple; pl appla; (also regular æpples/æples, æpplas/æplas)

æsc – ash-tree

bæst – bast

béam – tree

bearu – grove

bere – barley

bóg - bough

brémel – bramble

bróm – broom (the plant)

cassuc – sedge; (grass-like plant)

codd – cod, husk

cropp – sprout

éow – yew

fyrs – furze; (a prickly evergreen shrub of the legume family)

healm – haulm

hege – hedge

íow - yew

íw – yew

ryge – rye

sealh – willow

stela – stalk

sticels – goad, prick, thorn

swamm – fungus

wudu – wood

 

Body Parts

beard – beard

bearm - bosom

bile – beak

bósm – bosom

búc – stomach

cnyttels – sinew

earm – arm

finger – finger

fót – foot

gealla – gall

hafela – head

heals – neck

hlyst – sense of hearing

hóf – hoof

hrine – touch

hrycg – back, ridge

hype – hip

ile – sole of the foot; pl illas

lást – footprint

maga – stomach

múð – mouth

nægl – nail

scanca – shank, shin, leg

sefa – mind, heart

swéora – neck

þúma – thumb

tóð - tooth

 

Things

ácumba – oakum; (loose, stringy, hemp fiber gotten by taking apart old ropes; used in caulking boat seams, etc.)

ád – funeral pile

ǽra – strigil; (instrument of bone/metal used by Greeks & Romans to scrape skin during a bath)

angel – fish-hook

bát – boat

béod - table

beorma – barm, yeast

béorscipe – feast

besema – besom; (a broom, esp. one made of twigs tied to a handle)

besma – besom; (a broom, esp. one made of twigs tied to a handle)

bíesting – first milk of a cow after calving

bíetel – mallet

boga – bow

bolla – bowl

bolster – bolster

brǽdels – covering, carpet

brand – firebrand

camb – comb

cásering – a coin

céac – jug

céol – ship

cláð – cloth

cnotta – knot

cocer – quiver

cradol – cradle

cynedóm – kingdom

daroð – dart, spear

drenc – drink

fǽtels – vessel, tub

fana – banner

féorðling – farthing, forth part

gár – spear

haca – hook

hamor – hammer

hemming – shoe of hide

heoru – sword

hnæpp – cup

lǽcedóm – medicine

máðum – treasure

mǽrels – mooring-rope

mattuc – mattock

medu – mead

mene – necklace

meodu – mead

mete – food; pl mettas

naca – boat

nægl – nail

ofen – oven

pohha – pouch, bag

pott – pot

ráp – rope

récels – incense

sáda – cord, snare

sadol – saddle

sceaft – shaft

sceatt – property, money

scenc – cup, draught

scilling – shilling

sele – hall

silfring – silver coin

smierels – ointment

snide – incision

spáca – spoke of a wheel

spitu – spit

staca – stake

stapol – pillar

steng – pole

stice – stitch

streng – string

þýmel – thimble, thumbstall

 

Food

bita – bit, morsel

bríw – pottage, porridge

cruma – crumb

scanca – shank; (cut of meat from the leg of an animal)

sopa – sup

 

Concepts

abbudhád – rank of an abbot

anda – envy

anga – goad, stimulus, spur

áð – oath

ǽrist – resurrection

borg - pledge

bróga – terror

byrga – surety

camphád – warfare

céap – price

cildhád – childhood

cnihthád – boyhood

coss – kiss

cræft – skill, strength

cwealm – death

dóm – doom

dream – joy, revelry

drohtað – way of life

dryhtscipe – sovereignty

dwolma – chaos

eard – native country

ege – fear

fæðm – embrace

féa – joy

féondscipe – hostility

fléam – flight

fracodscipe – vileness

fréodóm – freedom

fréondscipe – friendship

fruma – beginning

fulwihthád – baptismal vow

gang – going

géapscipe – deceit

geféa – joy

geférscipe – companionship

gemǽnscipe – fellowship, communion

geoguðhád – youth

gewuna – custom

gielp – boasting

gódscipe – goodness

gryre – terror

gylt – guilt

gyte – pouring forth

hád – rank, condition

hæftedóm – captivity

hǽðenscipe – paganism

héalichád – loftiness

hefe – weight

hláforddóm – lordship

hláfordscipe – lordship

hlæst – burden

holdscipe – loyalty

hréam – cry, shout, uproar

hwætscipe – bravery

inca – grudge

langoð – longing, desire

láréowdóm – office of teacher

léc – sight, looking at

list – skill, cunning

lyre – loss

manscipe – humanity

mægdenhád – maidenhood

mǽgðhád – relationship

munuchád – monastic state

óga – terror

pliht – danger, peril

préosthád – priesthood

prútscipe – pride

reccenddóm – rule, governance

sidu – custom

sweoloð – heat, burning

swícdóm – deceit

swíma – giddiness

swoloð – heat, burning

swyle – swelling

swylt – death

þanc – thought

þéowdóm - service

þéowhád – service

torn – grief

trega – grief, affliction

twéo – doubt

wærscipe – prudence

wæstm – growth

wéa – woe

wela – prosperity

werhád – manhood, male sex

wífhád – womanhood

wlite – brightness, beauty

wræcca – exile

wræccea – exile

 

Clothing / Accessories

béag – ring, bracelet

gyrdels – girdle

helm – helmet

hring – ring

scóh – shoe

séam – seam

smocc – smock

stæf – staff

wrigels – covering

 

Buildings / Places

botm – bottom

byrgels – tomb

cofa – chamber

ealh – temple

eodor – enclosure

geard – yard

hám – home

healh – corner

hearg – temple

hwamm – corner

loca – enclosure

pearroc – park

rúm – room

stól – stool

þorp – farm, village

þrop – farm, village

weall – wall

 

Activities

campdóm – contest, war

fiscnoð – fishing

fiscoð – fishing

fugelnoð – fowling

fugeloð – fowling

huntoð – hunting

sǽdnoð – sowing

 

Time Periods

dæg – day

fierst – period of time

mónað – month

morgen – morning

sǽl – time

sumor – summer

winter – winter; pl wintra

 

Other