modsefa

Old English

Etymology

From mōd +‎ sefa. Cognate with Old Saxon mōdsevo.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmoːdˌse.fɑ/, [ˈmoːdˌse.vɑ]

Noun

mōdsefa m (nominative plural mōdsefan)

1. (poetic) heart, mind, character
   • 10th century, The Wanderer:

     Oft iċ sceolde āna · ūhtna ġehwylċe
     mīne ċeare cwīþan. · Nis nū cwicra nān
     þe iċ him mōdsefan · mīnne durre
     sweotule āseċġan. · Iċ tō sōþe wāt…

     Oft I had to bemoan my sorrow
     alone at every dawn. There is no one alive
     to whom I would dare
     openly tell my heart. I know as a truth…

Declension

Weak:

	singular	plural
nominative	mōdsefa	mōdsefan
accusative	mōdsefan	mōdsefan
genitive	mōdsefan	mōdsefena
dative	mōdsefan	mōdsefum