lang
The English phrase 'long' is translated to Old English as lang.
This adjective is used to describe something that has much distance from one point to another.
Meaning: having much distance from one point to another (adj)
Did you know?
- Unlike modern English, where 'long' and 'tall' are strictly separated, Old English used lang for both height and length in many contexts.
- The word lang is a cognate of the Latin longus, meaning they both descend from the same ancient ancestor word in Proto-Indo-European.
- If you were studying Old Norse or Old High German at the time, you would find the word lang or langr looking almost identical to the Old English version.
Examples in context
- Se weg is lang.The way is long.
Example conversation
Osric and Æthelflæd are discussing a journey.
- OsricIs se weg lang?Is the way long?
- ÆthelflædGēa, hit is swīðe lang.Yes, it is very long.
- OsricHwanne cumst þū hām?When do you come home?
- ÆthelflædIc cume tōmorgen.I come tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
