blotmonaþ

Old English

Etymology

From blōt and mōnaþ, so called because in Anglo-Saxon times sacrifices were made before the winter set in.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbloːt.moːnɑθ/

Noun

blōtmōnaþ m

1. November
   • Se monaþ is nemned on Leden Novembris, and on ure geþeode blotmonaþ, forðon ure yldran, ða hy hæðene wæron, on ðam monþe hy bleoton a, ðæt is, ðæt hy betæhton and benemdon hyra deofolgyldum ða neat ða ðe hy woldon syllan. This month is called ‘Novembris’ in Latin, and in our language the month of sacrifice, because our forefathers, when they were heathens, always sacrificed in this month, that is, they took and devoted to their idols the cattle which they wished to offer. (—Linguarum veterum septentrionalium thesaurus)