þrag

Old English

Alternative forms

• þrāh

Etymology

Unknown; not represented in any cognate languages. The form implies a Proto-Germanic *þrēg-, whence also Proto-Germanic *þrag- (compare Old English þræġan (“to run, proceed in a course”), Gothic 𐌸𐍂𐌰𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (þragjan, “to run”)). If so, then from Proto-Indo-European *tregʰ-, a variant of *dʰregʰ- (“to run”). Compare also Old Norse þræll (“serf, slave”, literally “gofer, runner”). See English thrall.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /θrɑːɡ/, [θrɑːɣ]

Noun

þrāg f (nominative plural þrāge or þrāga)

1. time, season, while
   • 10th century, The Wanderer:

     Hwǣr cōm mearg? Hwǣr cōm mago? · Hwǣr cōm māþþumġyfa?
     Hwǣr cōm symbla ġesetu? · Hwǣr sindon seledrēamas?
     Ēalā beorht bune! · Ēalā byrnwiga!
     Ēalā þēodnes þrym! · Hū sēo þrāg ġewāt,
     ġenāp under nihthelm, · swā hēo nō wære.

     Whither did the horse come? Whither did the man come? Whither did the treasure-giver come?
     Whither did the seats of feasts come? Where are the hall-joys?
     Alack and alas, bright cup! Alack and alas, mailed warrior!
     Alack and alas, the army of the king! How did the time pass,
     grow dark under the cover of night, as if it never did.

Descendants

• Middle English: þraȝe, þraȝhe, þroȝe, thrawe, throwe
  • English: throw