glee-beam

English

Alternative forms

• gleebeam

Etymology

Calque of Old English glēobēam (“harp”, literally “joy-wood”), equivalent to glee +‎ beam.

Noun

glee-beam (plural glee-beams)

1. (Anglo-Saxon, historical, kenning, music) A harp.
   • 1895, Mary Louisa Georgina Petrie Carus-Wilson, Tokiwa and Other Poems, page 120:

     " […] So we do him service gladly, thronging round our noble king,
     While the glee-beams at the banquet with the Scêfing's praises ring."

   • 1896, Stephen Humphreys Villiers Gurteen, The Epic of the Fall of Man:

     The king's scop or earl's gleeman, was the favourite of the court; the one indispensable guest at every banquet and every courtly gathering; whose skill with the glee-beam or harp spread joy throughout the festive hall, and whose memory was stored with soul-stirring tales of great deeds, the recital of which could not fail to fire the hearts and quicken the pulses of young and old alike.

   • 1919, The Wellesley Alumnae Quarterly, volume 4, page 166:

     That man may sing and declare many things. A marvel of wisdom is hidden in his heart. Another with his fingers may loudly strike the harp, stir the glee-beam for the joy of his companions.

   • 1923, Lucy Foster Madison, A Maid at King Alfred's Court:

     “Then there will we abide. Long have we wayfared, and wearied am I by the journey. Though the priests may not hearken to song, or story, or glee-beam, yet will they shelter us for the night.”