hyge

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *hugaz: cognate with Old Saxon hugi, Old High German hugu, hugi, Old Norse hugr, Modern Norwegian hug, Modern Swedish håg, Gothic 𐌷𐌿𐌲𐍃 (hugs).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhyje/

Noun

hyġe m (nominative plural hyġas)

1. (poetic) thought, mind, mood, desire, inclination

   Forþon is min hyge geomor. Therefore my thought is sad. (‘The Wife's Lament’)

   ne biþ him to hearpan hyge. He has no desire/mind for the harp. (‘The Seafarer’)

Derived terms

• hyġerōf