sceafmælum

Old English

FWOTD – 30 July 2023

Etymology

Equivalent to sċeaf +‎ -mǣlum.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃæ͜ɑf.mæː.lum/, [ˈʃæ͜ɑv.mæː.lum]

Adverb

sċeafmǣlum

1. Sheaf by sheaf, sheafwise
   • c. 990, Aelfric of Eynsham, transl., Wessex Gospels, Matthew XIII:30:

     Lætað æyþer wexan oððe rip-timan: ⁊ on þam rip-timan ic segge þan riperem, Gaderiað ærest þanne coccel ⁊ bindeð sceafmælum to forbærnenne: ⁊ gaderiað æane hwæte into mine berne

     Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.