norþ
The Old English word for north is norþ.
This noun refers to the compass point or direction of the north.
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Did you know?
- The letter þ in norþ eventually evolved into the 'th' digraph because early printing presses from Europe lacked a specific key for the 'thorn' character.
- The character þ in norþ is a remnant of the runic alphabet, specifically the 'thorn' rune, which was integrated into the Latin alphabet used by Old English scribes.
- The word norþ stems from the Proto-West Germanic root *norþr, which likely described the 'left' side of the sunrise.
Examples in context
- Folc þæt þæs rices neah Norðan com.The people that came from the north, near the kingdom.
Example conversation
Osric and Mildryth are looking at a map.
- OsricHwider gā we, Mildryth?Whither do we go, Mildryth?
- MildrythWē gāþ norþ.We go to the north.
- OsricIs þæt feorr weġ?Is that a far way?
- MildrythĠēa, hit is feorr.Yes, it is far.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries norþ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
