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witmǣres wyrt

noun, f., i-decl., hapax legomenon

Last Update: 03.10.2011 11:26

Reference Last Update: 22.11.2022 12:30

Meaning Last Update: 18.06.2008 12:06

  • A:
    -, unsolved, ungeklärt
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Comment Last Update: 03.10.2011 11:25

  • Comment on (A): -, unsolved, ungeklärt

    Cockayne (1961,II,411) suggests Cochlearia anglica L., English scurveygrass, Englisches Löffelkraut and refers to the gloss BRITTANICA vihtmeres-vyrt UEL heaven hnidele (Dur 68), but elsewhere (II,389) he interpretes hæwen hydele as Lamium purpureum L. (cf. →netele, reade).[1] Also cf. Lindheim's note on Dur 68, his interpretation of witmǣre referring to a personal name is supported by several scholars (cf. s.v. →æþel-feorþing-wyrt), Biggam (1997,171) doubts this etymological explanation but does not suggest an alternative.

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Occurrence Last Update: 10.03.2008 08:03
  • LB, 11/4 asg witmæres wyrt
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Research Literature

BW I: Bierbaumer, Peter. Der botanische Wortschatz des Altenglischen. Grazer Beiträge zur Englischen Philologie 1. Bern, Frankfurt am Main: Lang, 1975.
Dur: Lindheim, B. von. Das Durhamer Pflanzenglossar. Beiträge zur englischen Philologie. 35. Bochum-Langendreer: Pöppinghaus, 1941.
LA, Lor: Grattan, John Henry Grafton, and Charles Singer. Anglo-Saxon Magic and Medicine. London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1952.
LB: Cockayne, Oswald Thomas (ed.). "Leech Book." In: Leechdoms, Wortcunning and Starcraft of Early England. Being a Collection of Documents, for the Most Part never before Printed, Illustrating the History of Sience in this Country before the Norman Conquest. Vol. 2. Rev. Ed. by Charles Singer. London: Longman [et. al.], 1961. 1-360.
LB: Leonhardi, Günther. Kleinere angelsächsische Denkmäler I. Bibliothek der ags. Prosa VI. Hamburg: Grand, 1905.
Biggam, Carole P.. "Blue' in Old English: an Interdisciplinary Semantic Study. Costerus ; N.S.,110. Amsterdam / Atlanta (Georgia): Rodopi, 1997.
Deegan, Marilyn. A Critical Edition of MS. B.L. Royal 12.D.XVII: Bald's 'Leechbook'. Diss. Univ. of Manchester. 1988.
Hankins, Freda Richards. Bald's 'Leechbook' Reconsidered. Diss. Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 1993.
MS London, British Library, Royal 12 D.xvii.
Wright, Cyril E. (ed.). Bald's Leechbook. Early English manuscripts in facsimile. 5. Kopenhagen: Rosenkilde & Bagger, 1955.
[1]:

Maybe this is why Grattan / Singer (1952,88) list hæwen hnydele as Lamium purpureum L. in a list of securely identified OE plant names.