Bosworth Toller's

Anglo-Saxon

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here-wæsmun

  • noun [ uncertain ]
  • adverb
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  • Nó ic méan herewæsmun hnágran talige gúþgeweorca ðonne Grendel hine,

    • Beo. Th. 1358; B. 677.
  • Thorpe reads wæstmum [see the use of wæstm in the plural] and translates 'in martial vigour.' Grein translates by vis bellica and refers the word to a nominative wǽsma, comparing O. H. Ger. wahsamo, wasmo, wasma vigor, fructus, fertilitas, Grff. i. 689. Leo and Heyne connect with a root meaning rage, fury, v.
    • Leo. 494.
    Taking either of the first the passage might be translated 'I do not account myself worse in the warlike fruits of martial deeds than Grendel himself' or an herewæsmum and gúþgeweorca might be taken as both dependent upon hnágran.
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Word-wheel

  • here-wæsmun, n.; adv.