bodeword

Middle English

FWOTD – 29 February 2024

Alternative forms

Etymology

Calque of Old Norse boðorð; equivalent to bod +‎ word.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈboːdˌwurd/, /ˈboːdˌwoːrd/

Noun

bodeword (chiefly Northern)

  1. commandment, directive (especially divine)
  2. news, tidings (especially divine)
    • 15th c., “Pharao [Pharaoh]”, in Wakefield Mystery Plays; Re-edited in George England, Alfred W. Pollard, editors, The Towneley Plays (Early English Text Society Extra Series; LXXI), London: […] Oxford University Press, 1897, →OCLC, page 69, lines 141–145:
      A, lord! pardon me, Wyth thy leyf, / that lynage luffis me noght; / Gladly thay Wold me greyf, / if I sych bodworde broght.
      Ah, Lord! Pardon me, by your leave. That bloodline does not love me; they would gladly hurt me if I brought such news
  3. (rare) pledge

References

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