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eorcnanstan. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
eorcnanstan, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
eorcnanstan in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
eorcnanstan you have here. The definition of the word
eorcnanstan will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
eorcnanstan, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Old English
Etymology
Compound of eorcnan (“special, noble”) + stān (“stone”). Cognate with Old Norse jarknasteinn, which is generally regarded as a loan from Old English.
Translates margarita in 9th century biblical glosses but is used generically as "precious stone, gem" in Beowulf (line 1208) and The Ruin (v. 36).
Pronunciation
Noun
eorcnanstān m
- precious stone, pearl
Declension
Declension of eorcnanstān (strong a-stem)
Descendants
References
- Peter Kitson, 'Lapidary traditions in Anglo-Saxon England: part I, the background; the Old English Lapidary' in: Anglo-Saxon England, vol. 7, eds. Martin Biddle, Julian Brown, Peter Clemoes, Cambridge University Press, 2007, →ISBN, 9-60 (fn. 5 p. 25).