Page:The Sources of Standard English.djvu/253

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224
The Sources of Standard English.

see the French crier beginning to drive out the old English gridan. These kindred words are often found alongside each other in this Century; and unhappily it is usually the French one that has held its ground. It is now and then hard to tell whether some of our com­monest words are home-born or of French growth, so great is the confusion between the Teutonic words brought to the Thames by Hengist, and the kindred words brought to the Seine by Clovis and afterwards borne across the channel by William the Conqueror. The kinsmanship in meaning and sound must have bespoken a welcome in England for these French strangers that follow.

Old English French Old English French
Acofrian Recouvrir Heard Hardi
Astundian Estonner Hasti Hastif
Abeatan Abattre Hereberg Herbier
Alecgan Aloyer Hurlen Hareler
Ange Anguisse Yrre Ire
Bigalian Guiler Lafian Laver
Biwreʓen Bitraie Laga Lei
Brysan Briser Lagu Lac
Cempa Cham­pioun Line Ligne
Logian[1] Loger
Ceosan Choisir Miðla (Ice­landic) Mesler
Dareð Dard
Eaþ Eise Nefe Neveu
Feorme Ferme Flatr (Ice­landic) Plat
Feorren Forain
Frakele Fraile Priss (Ice­landic) Pris
Fy^lan Defouler
Geard Gardin Ric Riche
Gote Gouttière Rypere Robeor
Wise Guise Solian Soillier
Gesamnian Assembler Spendan Despender
  1. This has only a transitive sense.