gold
/ɡold/
The Old English word gold means "gold" or "golden".
The word gold is used as an adjective to describe something made of gold or possessing a golden color. It also functions as a noun referring to the chemical element Au.
Meaning: made of gold, golden (adj)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡold/
Did you know?
- In the Anglo-Saxon period, gold was rarely used as currency in the form of coins for commoners, but instead as 'hack-silver' or 'hack-gold', where pieces of jewelry were literally chopped off to pay for goods.
- In Old English poetry, the word gold is often avoided in favor of 'kennings', such as 'beah-gifa' meaning 'ring-giver'.
- The word gold was often paired with wine in the phrase gold-wine, which literally means 'gold-friend' but actually refers to a generous lord who bestowed rings and treasure upon his followers.
Examples in context
- late 10th century, Ælfric, "Chair of Saint Peter"
…Næbbe ic seolfor ne gold, ic þē dō þæt ic hæbbe……I have neither silver nor gold, I give thee that I have…This sentence shows how to use gold when discussing possessions such as silver or gold. - Ic fand fyrngold under þære eorþanI found ancient gold beneath the earth.
- Min goldhord is swiþe micelMy gold hoard is very great.
Example conversation
Osric and Æthelflæd are looking at jewelry.
- OsricHwæt is þes gold hring?What is this gold ring?
- ÆthelflædHit is giefu fram minum fæder.It is a gift from my father.
- OsricIs hit gold gearu?Is it gold-made?
- ÆthelflædGē, hit is sōð gold.Yes, it is true gold.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gold, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
