Fetis

Fetis (adj.) - well-made, neat, handsome.

With poules wyndow corven on his shoos,
In hoses rede he wente fetisly.
Yclad he was ful smal and proprely
Al in a kirtel of a lyght waget;
Ful faire and thikke been the poyntes set.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)

Pronunciation: /fEtIs/

Key
/f/ f in fifty
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie
/I/ i in bit
/s/ s in hiss

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Glopnen

Glopnen (v.) - to look downcast.

For to haf greued Gaynour and gart hir to dyghe
With glopnyng of that ilke gome that gostlych speked
With his hede in his honde bifore the hyghe table.

- Anonymous: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1400)

Pronunciation: /glOpnEn/

Key
/g/ g in go
/l/ l in lily
/O/ o in cloth
/p/ p in pepper
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Glette

Glette (n.) - phlegm, slimy matter in the throat.

Swythe hit swange thur3 vch a strete
Wythouten fylthe other galle other glet.
Kyrk therinne wat3 non 3ete,
Chapel ne temple that euer wat3 set;

- Anonymous: Pearl (1400)

Pronunciation: /glEt/

Key
/g/ g in go
/l/ l in lily
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Champartie

Champartie (n.) - share in land, partnership in power.

Thus may ye seen that wysdom ne richesse,
Beautee ne sleighte, strengthe ne hardynesse,
Ne may with venus holde champartie,
For as hir list the world than may she gye.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /tSAmpArti/

Key
/tS/ ch in chin
/A/ a in father
/m/ m in make
/p/ p in pepper
/r/ r in red
/t/ t in tie
/i/ i in machine

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Bedel

Bedel (n.) - messenger, herald, crier.

In witnesse of which thyng Wrong was the firste,
And Piers the Pardoner of Paulynes doctrine,
Bette the Bedel of Bokynghamshire,
Reynald the Reve of Rutland Sokene,
Munde the Millere - and many mo othere.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /bEdEl/

Key
/b/ b in boy
/E/ e in met
/d/ d in dog
/l/ l in lily

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Schode

Schode (n.) - the parting of a man's hair, the temple or top of the head.

Bot with no craft of combes brode
Thei myhte hire hore lockes schode,
And sche ne wolde noght be schore
For no conseil, and thei therfore,
With such atyr as tho was used,
Ordeinen that it was excused,
And hid so crafteliche aboute,
That noman myhte sen hem oute.

- Gower, John: Confessio amantis (1390-1393)

Pronunciation: /stSoUd@/

Key
/s/ s in hiss
/tS/ ch in chin
/oU/ o in note
/d/ d in dog
/@/ a in sofa

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Freke

Freke (n.) - a bold man, a warrior, a man.

And I awaked therwith, witlees nerhande,
And as a freke that fey were, forth gan I walke
In manere of a mendynaunt many yer after,
And of this metyng many tyme muche thought I hadde:

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /freIk@/

Key
/f/ f in fifty
/r/ r in red
/eI/ a in mate, day
/k/ k in kin
/@/ a in sofa

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Hanselle

Hanselle (n.) - earnest-money on a purchase, a gift, the confirming of a bargain by shaking hands.

And thus, mi fader, soth to seie,
In cherche riht as in the weie,
If I mihte oght of love take,
Such hansell have I noght forsake.

- Gower, John: Confessio amantis (1390-1393)

Pronunciation: /AnsEl/

Key
/A/ a in father
/n/ n in no
/s/ s in hiss
/E/ e in met
/l/ l in lily

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Rouken

Rouken (v.) - to lie close, cower down.

What is mankynde moore unto you holde
Than is the sheep that rouketh in the folde?
For slayn is man right as another beest,
And dwelleth eek in prison and arreest,

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)

Pronunciation: /rukEn/

Key
/r/ r in red
/u/ oo in boot
/k/ k in kin
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Accidie

Accidie (n.) - sloth, indolence, heedlessness, torpor.

With al the wo of this world, his wif and his wenche
Baren hym to his bed and broughte hym therinne;
And after al this excesse he had an accidie.
That he sleep Saterday and Sonday, till sonne yede to reste.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /Asidi/

Key
/A/ a in father
/s/ s in hiss
/i/ i in machine
/d/ d in dog

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Orpedly

Orpedly (adv.) - valiantly, proudly, boldly.

When he wan to the watter, ther he wade nolde,
He hypped ouer on hys ax, and orpedly strydez,
Bremly brothe on a bent that brode watz aboute,
on snawe.

- Anonymous: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (1400)

Pronunciation: /oUrpEdli/

Key
/oU/ o in note
/r/ r in red
/p/ p in pepper
/E/ e in met
/d/ d in dog
/l/ l in lily
/i/ i in machine

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Tuhten

Tuhten (v.) - to draw, persuade, discipline.

the untohe lefdi, and his lust leareth,
ah efter thet Wit nle thet is husebonde,
tuhten ant teachen thet Wit ga euer biuore
ant teache Wil efter him to al thet he dihteth

- Anonymous: Sawles warde (1240)

Pronunciation: /tutEn/

Key
/t/ t in tie
/u/ oo in boot
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Wiket

Wiket (n.) - a small gate, little window.

Biddeth Amende-yow meke hym til his maister ones
To wayven up the wiket that the womman shette
Tho Adam and Eve eten apples unrosted:

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /wIkEt/

Key
/w/ w in we, away
/I/ i in bit
/k/ k in kin
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Cliket

Cliket (n.) - a kind of lock or fastening.

The boldnesse of thi bienfetes maketh thee blynd thanne
And so worstow dryven out as dew, and the dore closed,
Keyed and cliketted to kepe thee withouten
Happily an hundred wynter er thow eft entre!

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /klIkEt/

Key
/k/ k in kin
/l/ l in lily
/I/ i in bit
/E/ e in met
/t/ t in tie

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Suen

Suen (v.) - to follow, attend on, persecute.

a domesday when ryhtes bueth tolde
when we shule suen thy wounde blede
to speke thenne we bueth unbolde
unbold icham to bidde the bote

- Anonymous: The Harley lyrics (1310)

Pronunciation: /sjuEn/

Key
/s/ s in hiss
/ju/ ew in few
/E/ e in met
/n/ n in no

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Cachepol

Cachepol (n.) - a tax-gatherer, constable, bailiff. The word probably meant at first the officer who collected from the tenant the fowls (pullos) paid as rent.

Two theves also tholed deeth that tyme
Upon a croos bisides Crist - so was the comune lawe.
A cachepol cam forth and craked bothe hir legges,
And hir armes after of either of tho theves.

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /kAtSpOl/

Key
/k/ k in kin
/A/ a in father
/tS/ ch in chin
/p/ p in pepper
/O/ o in cloth
/l/ l in lily

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Heyne

Heyne (n.) - a despised, worthless person.

And in his sleve (as ye biforen-hand
Herde me telle) he hadde a silver teyne.
He slyly took it out, this cursed heyne,
Unwityng this preest of his false craft,
And in the pannes botme he hath it laft;

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)

Pronunciation: /aIn@/

Key
/aI/ ai in aisle
/n/ n in no
/@/ a in sofa

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Jesseraunt

Jesseraunt (n.) - a coat or cuirass of fine mail.

Armede hym in a acton with orfraeez full ryche,
Abouen on that a jeryn of Acres owte ouer,
Abouen that a jesseraunt of jentyll maylez,
A jupon of Ierodyn, jaggede in schredez;

- Anonymous: The alliterative Morte Arthure (1440)

Pronunciation: /jEsArOnt/

Key
/j/ y in yellow
/E/ e in met
/s/ s in hiss
/A/ a in father
/r/ r in red
/O/ o in cloth
/n/ n in no
/t/ t in tie

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Haro

Haro (interj.) - a cry for assistance raised in Normandy by any one wronged.

Bot now syn thou has teyndid thyne,
Now will I set fyr on myne.
We! out! haro! help to blaw!
It will not bren for me, I traw;

- Anonymous: The Towneley plays (1460)

Pronunciation: /Aru/

Key
/A/ a in father
/r/ r in red
/u/ oo in boot

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Avoy

Avoy (interj.) - exclamation of surprise, fear, remonstrance.

Yet of his look for feere almoost I deye;
This caused me my gronyng, doutelees.
Avoy! quod she, fy on yow, hertelees!
Allas! quod she, for, by that God above,
Now han ye lost myn herte and al my love.

- Chaucer, Geoffrey: The Canterbury tales (1387-1394)

Pronunciation: /@vOI/

Key
/@/ a in sofa
/v/ v in very
/OI/ oy in boy

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Buxum

Buxum (adj.) - obedient, ready, willing, courteous.

Be it worthly wroght even at thyne awne will,
For fadir, att thi bidding am I buxum and bayne.
Now wightely agayne will I wende
Vnto my discipilis so dere.

- Anonymous: The York plays (1440)

Pronunciation: /buksum/

Key
/b/ b in boy
/u/ oo in boot
/k/ k in kin
/s/ s in hiss
/m/ m in make

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/

Roode

Roode (n.) - the cross, gallows.

Ac hadde I maistrie and myght - God woot my wille!
And whan I come to the kirk and sholde knele to the Roode
And preye for the peple as the preest techeth

- Langland, William: The vision of Piers Plowman (1377-1379)

Pronunciation: /roUd@/

Key
/r/ r in red
/oU/ o in note
/d/ d in dog
/@/ a in sofa

The Middle-English Word of the Day is selected from Mayhew and Skeat's
"Concise Dictionary of Middle English."
As found on Greg Lindahl's website
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/concise/concise.html

The example text was found at the Middle English Collection of the University of Virginia Library.
http://etext.virginia.edu/collections/languages/english/mideng.browse.html

The approximate pronunciation is determined using Carol Hamill's Middle English Pronunciation Guide
and noted using upon the ASCII-IPA Standard
http://www.island.net/~hamill/medieval/mepronunc.html
http://www.kirshenbaum.net/IPA/