ielda bearn

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Old English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From genitive plural of ield + plural of bearn. Has parallels in Old Saxon eldibarn and Old Norse alda bǫrn, possibly stemming from a Proto-Germanic *aldijǫ̂ barnō.

Noun[edit]

ielda bearn n pl (nominative plural ielda bearn)

  1. (poetic) "sons of men"; mankind
    • w:Beowulf, verses 603b-606b]:
      Gaéþ eft, sé þe mót
      tó medo módig siþþan morgenléoht
      ofer ylda bearn óþres dógores
      sunne sweglwered súþan scíneð.
      He who can will go back bravely to mead when the morning light of another day, the sun clothed in radiance, shines from the south over the sons of men.

Declension[edit]