therk

Middle English

FWOTD – 21 December 2021

Alternative forms

Etymology

Probably a blend of derk + thester.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /θɛrk/

Adjective

therk

  1. dark, dim
    • c. 1300, Sir Beues of Hamtoun (Auchinleck Manuscript), folio 190, verso, column 2, lines 2612–2615:
      and he aȝen wiþ ſtrong bataile / ſo betwene hem leſte þat fiȝt / Til it waſ þe þerke niȝt
      Then he [went] again with a strong force; / the fight between them lasted / until the night grew dark.
  2. confusing, obscure

Descendants

  • English: thark (dialectal, obsolete)

References

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