I’m taking a Renaissance literature class this semester where we’re reading The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. I am finding lots of words that either I didn’t know, or they have slightly different meanings today.
The English language has really changed a lot since the 1500s!
Do you know any of these words?
ought = also spelled aught = anything
louting = bowing
weare = spend
wastfull = desolate
mell = meddle
fray = frighten
sprights = spirits
playnd = complained
whilome = formerly
scath = unexpected harm
warely = vigilantly
forelore = deserted
envyes = grudges
trains = tricks
curious = intricate
Have you stumbled across any new words this week? Join in or find more at Bermuda Onion.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I did know trains and tricks, but not those meaning for them, obviously! I love playned – it sounds like Ricky Ricardo to me. Thanks for participating!
No, I have to say I did not know a single one! Thanks for enlightening us today with a trip to the past.
Those are interesting! Olde English words like that sometimes sound very familiar but have odd meanings. Thanks for sharing them.
My words are here.
Lisa´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday
Kathy- LOL about Ricky Ricardo. It does sound like him!
Thanks so much for your comments everyone!
I hate it when I read old(er) english books (I can’t say I’ve read old English since highschool) because I can never find the words in my dictionary and I feel like I am missing something very important. I am a reader on a budget and I broke the bank for the three dictionaries I already have. Yeah, I use the library over amazon too…so shameful–my poor poor empty bookshelves. If you ever do a giveaway for an old english dictionary I’m so THERE!