ælfsogoþa

Old English

FWOTD – 7 October 2013

Etymology

ælf (“elf”) +‎ sogoþa (“hiccup, heartburn, internal pain”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈælfˌso.ɡo.θɑ/, [ˈæɫfˌso.ɣo.θɑ]

Noun

ælfsogoþa m (nominative plural ælfsogoþan)

1. a hiccup, heartache, or other disease ascribed to elvish influence
   • Bald's Leechbook, British Library, Royal 12, D xvii, cited in [1].

     Gif him biþ ælfsogoða him beoþ þa eagan geolwe þær hi reade beon sceoldon.

     If the person has (an) ælfsogoða, his/her eyes will be yellow where they should be red.