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glee-beam. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
glee-beam, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Calque of Old English glēobēam (“harp”, literally “joy-wood”), equivalent to glee + beam.
Noun
glee-beam (plural glee-beams)
- (Anglo-Saxon, historical, kenning, music) A harp.
1895, Mary Louisa Georgina Petrie Carus-Wilson, Tokiwa and Other Poems, page 120:" […] So we do him service gladly, thronging round our noble king,
While the glee-beams at the banquet with the Scêfing's praises ring."
1896, Stephen Humphreys Villiers Gurteen, The Epic of the Fall of Man:The king's scop or earl's gleeman, was the favourite of the court; the one indispensable guest at every banquet and every courtly gathering; whose skill with the glee-beam or harp spread joy throughout the festive hall, and whose memory was stored with soul-stirring tales of great deeds, the recital of which could not fail to fire the hearts and quicken the pulses of young and old alike.
1919, The Wellesley Alumnae Quarterly, volume 4, page 166:That man may sing and declare many things. A marvel of wisdom is hidden in his heart. Another with his fingers may loudly strike the harp, stir the glee-beam for the joy of his companions.
1923, Lucy Foster Madison, A Maid at King Alfred's Court:“Then there will we abide. Long have we wayfared, and wearied am I by the journey. Though the priests may not hearken to song, or story, or glee-beam, yet will they shelter us for the night.”