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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
Usage

I need reference for archaic usage?

I am reading some history and some novels placed in the 12th-15th century. The locations vary from England to Bohemia. I need a source or method for determining the meaning of some archaic usage's. I also need in some case to determine the precise meaning of some words as they were used then. Leaving aside the issue of translation where other languages are concerned, is there a reference I can use for this.
Some examples:
How were the words "beautiful" and "handsome" used in that period? In some books "beauty" is used in reference to men much more than women while women are more often described as handsome than men. This seems to be contrary to current usage.
What precisely is a "schrippe" (some sort of container or bag)? Is it a big bag or a small bag? Made from cloth or leather and does it have a flap or a drawstring closure?
What did the word "manor" mean in the sentence, "He is the Lord of two Manors." I understand it is some sort of real estate, which is apparently more than a house less than a castle or village.

I need sources that I can use as new terms come up. Not just answers to these questions.
  

Top answer

[nq:1]I am reading some history and some novels placed in the 12th-15th century. The locations vary from England to Bohemia. [/nq] The Oxford English Dictionary (as other responders have probably told you).

  • [nq:1]I am reading some history and some novels placed in the 12th-15th century.
  • The locations vary from England to Bohemia.
  • [/nq] The Oxford English Dictionary (as other responders have probably told you).
  • The various "shorter" and "concise" versions leave out a lot of archaic words and historical information, so you might need the full version, which is quite expensive.
  • Your local library might have it, and if you live in certain communities or study or work at certain colleges, you can get it on line (that's been discussed here).
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8 Answers
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[nq:1]I am reading some history and some novels placed in the 12th-15th century. The locations vary from England to Bohemia. ... Leaving aside the issue of translation where other languages are concerned, is there a reference I can use for this.[/nq]
The Oxford English Dictionary (as other responders have probably told you). The various "shorter" and "concise" versions leave out a lot of archa
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[nq:1]I am reading some history and some novels placed in the 12th-15th century. The locations vary from England to Bohemia. I need a source or method for determining the meaning of some archaic usage's.[/nq]
There are few good sources for usages in the 12th-15th centuries. The OED tries, but ...
[nq:1]Some examples: How were the words "beautiful" and "handsome" used in that period?
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[nq:2]In some books "beauty" is used in reference to men ... than men. This seems to be contrary to current usage.[/nq]
[nq:1]And anachronistic for the period that you are concerned with. You need to determine the meaning that the person setting ... to you that you are not dealing with words as they were used in the 12-15C, but something else entirely.[/nq]
What you have said seems
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[nq:1] That particular example comes from several of Peter Ellis' Brother Cadfile novels. Although they areplaced in the 12th century they are written in the latter 20th century.[/nq]
The author is Ellis Peters, a woman. Her real name was Edith Mary Pargeter (1913-95).
Matti
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[nq:2]And anachronistic for the period that you are concerned with. ... they were used in the 12-15C, but something else entirely.[/nq]
[nq:1]What you have said seems quite probable. That particular example comes from several of Peter Ellis' Brother Cadfile novels. Although they are placed in the 12th century they are written in the latter 20th century.[/nq]
That's Ellis Peters and Cadfael
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I knew that. I guess I was typing faster than I was thinking.
~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson "Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
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[nq:2]I am reading some history and some novels placed in ... concerned, is there a reference I can use for this.[/nq]
[nq:1]The Oxford English Dictionary (as other responders have probably told you). The various "shorter" and "concise" versions leave out a ... in certain communities or study or work at certain colleges, you can get it on line (that's been discussed here).[/nq]
The followi
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(Incidentally, she also wrote a series of detective novels set in the 1960s and 70s.)

wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignall
Quiet part of Hertfordshire
England

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