wearg

Old English

Alternative forms

• warg, werg, wearh
• ƿearg — wynn spelling

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Germanic *wargaz > *werg, from Proto-Indo-European *werg̑ʰ- (“to choke”). Cognate with Old Saxon warag, Old High German warc, Old Norse vargr (“outlaw, wolf”) (Swedish varg (“wolf”)). See also English warg.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /wæ͜ɑrɡ/, [wæ͜ɑrˠɣ]

Noun

wearg m

1. criminal, reprobate, felon

   Wearh hangian, fægere ongildan þæt he ær facen dyde manna cynne. ― The criminal shall hang, paying fairly for the crime he committed against the race of men. (Maxims II)

2. monster, evil spirit

Declension

Declension of wearg (strong a-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	wearg	weargas
accusative	wearg	weargas
genitive	wearges	wearga
dative	wearge	weargum

Related terms

• wyrġen

Descendants

• Middle English: wari, weri
• → Medieval Latin: wargus
  • → English: wargus