unfæġer
The Old English word for ugly is unfæġer.
unfæġer is an adjective used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a literal construction meaning 'not fair' or 'not beautiful'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the meaning 'of the ugly ones', you can use the genitive plural form unfæġera by adding the suffix '-a' to the base word.
Did you know?
- The spelling of fæġer uses the letter 'ġ', which in Old English was pronounced like the modern English 'y' in 'yes'.
- While unfæġer describes visual ugliness, Old English often used the word fūl, meaning 'filthy' or 'putrid', to describe things that were aesthetically repulsive.
- The word 'fair' in the Old English fæġer did not just mean beautiful, but also meant 'suitable', 'fitting', or 'proper' in a social or moral sense.
Examples in context
- Þæt is unfæġer.That is ugly.
Example conversation
Mildryth and Æthelstan are looking at a poorly made wooden bowl.
- MildrythHwæt þyncþ þē be þissum bolle?What do you think of this bowl?
- ÆthelstanIc wene þæt hit is unfæġer.I think that it is ugly.
- MildrythĠēa, hit is swīþe unfæġer.Yes, it is very ugly.
- ÆthelstanWē sculon ōþerne findan.We should find another.
