ealdormann

• aldormon, ealdorman, ealdormon

Compound of ealdor (“elder, leader”) +‎ mann (“man”). Cognate with Swedish ålderman (“(archaic) elder; spokesman, representative (of a tribe or family)”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈæ͜ɑl.dorˌmɑnn/, [ˈæ͜ɑɫ.dorˌmɑn]

ealdormann m

1. a leader, ruler, prince
2. a master, overseer
   • Laws of King Ine

     Ġif hē ealdormon sie, ðolie his sċire, būton him kyning arian wille

     If he is an alderman, he shall lose his shire, unless the king wishes to pardon him.

3. a judge

• Used to indicate various occupations in various contexts (both secular and ecclesiastical) in the Old English corpus, but generally has a meaning of “leader”, “master” or “judge”.

Strong consonant stem:

• Middle English: alderman, aldermon
  • English: alderman
• → English: ealdorman, ealderman, eolderman (learned)