gesceaft

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Old English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Proto-Germanic *gaskaftiz. Equivalent to ġe- +‎ sċeaft. Cognate with Old High German giscaft (German Geschäft), Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐍃𐌺𐌰𐍆𐍄𐍃 (gaskafts).

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

ġesċeaft f or n

  1. creation
    • late 10th century, Ælfric, "On Auguries"
      Þas twa gesceafta habbað gesceadwisnysse and ælc man hæfð agenne freodom...
      These two creations possess reason, and every man hath his own freedom...
  2. creature
  3. institution, destiny

Declension[edit]

Sometimes occurs as neuter:

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

  • Middle English: ȝescafte, iscefte, ishafte, ishaft