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æferþe

noun, f., n-decl., 7 occ.

Last Update: 12.10.2011 10:47

References Last Update: 31.10.2023 06:56

Meaning Last Update: 18.03.2008 10:26

  • A:
    -, unsolved, ungeklärt
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Comment Last Update: 12.10.2011 10:46

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

    Cockayne (111,311) suggests that æferþe is a contraction of →æþel-feorþing-wyrt, which, given the remarkably long plant name, is a logical conclusion. Another arguement supporting this theory is the pharmaceutical usage which is consistent with →æþel-feorþing-wyrt.[1] Storms (1948,319) follows this argumentation without comment. Pollington (2000,99) wrongly paraphrases BW I. The DOE also records →eferþe in its entry on æferþe.

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Occurrences Last Update: 31.03.2009 09:52

  • LB, 103/38 asg æferþan
  • LB, 25/15[2] asg æferþan
  • LB, 29/31 nsg æferþe
  • LB, 33/20 nsg æferþe
  • LB, 33/34 nsg æferþe
  • LB, 43/31 asg æferþan
  • LB, 80/38 nsg æferþe
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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.
DOE: Cameron, Angus, Ashley Crandell Amos, Antonette di Paolo Healey, et al. (eds.). Dictionary of Old English (A to G). CD-Rom. Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies for the Dictionary of Old English Project, 2008.
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.
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.
Olds, Barbara M.. The Anglo-Saxon Leechbook III: A Critical Edition and Translation. Diss. Univ. of Denver. 1985.
Pollington, Stephen. Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plant Lore, and Healing. Hockwold-cum-Wilton: Anglo-Saxon Books, 2000.
Storms, Godfrid (ed.). Anglo-Saxon Magic. Reprint of the 1948 ed. published by M. Nijhoff, The Hague. Norwood, Pa: Norwood Editions, 1975.
Wright, Cyril E. (ed.). Bald's Leechbook. Early English manuscripts in facsimile. 5. Kopenhagen: Rosenkilde & Bagger, 1955.
[1]:

I want to note my observation - which need not be connected to the interpretation above - that æferþe is next to acrind and medowyrt in the following occurrances: 29/31, 33/20, 33/34.

[2]:

Like the MS Leonhardi has: æfterþam: wyl on buteran selfætan æfter þam 7 springwyrt. Ther is no activity on which æfter þam could point back to, therefore we should read æferþan following Cockayne.