geldyng

Middle English

Alternative forms

• geldynge, geldyn, gelding, gildyng

Etymology

From Old Norse geldingr (“wether, eunuch”), from gelda (“to castrate”). Equivalent to gelden +‎ -ing.

Noun

geldyng (plural geldyngs)

1. a gelded horse, gelding
2. a gelded man (eunuch)
   • c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.)‎^[1], published c. 1410, Dedis of Apoſtlis 8:38, page 96v, column 2, line 19; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:

     & thei wenten doun bothe into the water, Philip & the geldyng, & Philip baptiside hym.

     and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (KJV)

3. a castrated boar, barrow

Descendants

• English: gelding
• Scots: gelding