earthdrake

See also: earth-drake

English

Alternative forms

• earth-drake, earth drake

Etymology

From Middle English *erthedrake, from Old English eorþdraca (“earth dragon”), equivalent of earth +‎ drake.

Noun

earthdrake (plural earthdrakes)

1. (in early Anglo-Saxon literature, fantasy) a dragon.
   • 1876, William Spalding, The History of English Literature, page 40:

     […] he sacrifices his own life in destroying a frightful earthdrake, […]

   • 2008, M.C. Halliday, The King's Daughter - Page 196:

     While attempting to remain as true to history as possible, I created a world of witches and wizards, earthdrakes and talking ravens, according to my imagination.

   • 2010, Jeff Mariotte, City Under the Sand: A Dark Sun Novel:

     Aric had heard improbable tales of earth drakes eating entire mekillots. Seeing this one, however, he no longer had reason to doubt.

Related terms

• firedrake
• nithedrake
• seadrake

References

• “earthdrake”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.