gesceaft

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *gaskaftiz. Equivalent to ġe- + sċeaft. Cognate with Old High German giscaft (German Geschäft), Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐍃𐌺𐌰𐍆𐍄𐍃 (gaskafts).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /jeˈʃæ͜ɑft/

Noun

ġesċeaft f or n

  1. creation
    • late 10th century, Ælfric, "On Auguries"
      Þas twa gesceafta habbað gesceadwisnysse and ælc man hæfð agenne freodom...
      These two creations possess reason, and every man hath his own freedom...
  2. creature
  3. institution, destiny

Declension

Sometimes occurs as neuter:

Derived terms

  • forþġesċeaft (the world, creation)
  • eall gesceaft (the universe, all creation)

Descendants

  • Middle English: ȝescafte, iscefte, ishafte, ishaft
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