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Re: RV: Old English

From:yl-ruil <yl-ruil@...>
Date:Thursday, March 30, 2000, 16:27
Cristophe wrote.

> At 17:32 29/03/00 +0100, you wrote: > > > >My French etymological dictionary gives "of unknown origin" (but in
French,
> >obviously). "Escaigne" is OF, the modern word is écagne. Does it mean the > >same as the English, BTW? > > > > I don't even know this word! What does "skein" mean?
Erm, [frantic searching in the dictionry for this oh-so-common word] actually it has three meanings: 1. a loosely tied coil of wool or thread 2. a tangle or confused bundle of things 3. a flock of wild geese in flight (I had _no_ idea about this one, I've not heard it before)
> "écagne" is a rather strange word, it sounds more Southern French than > Northern French. I wouldn't be surprised if it was used only in the > Provence (or maybe in the Basque Country too).
It was borrowed into English during the 15th Century, according to Chamber's Dictionary, if that helps. Dan