This essential Middle English textbook, now in its third edition, introduces students to the wide range of literature written in England between 1150 and 1400. New, thoroughly revised edition of this essential Middle English textbook. Introduces the language of the time, giving guidance on pronunciation, spelling, grammar, metre, vocabulary and regional dialects. Now includes extracts from 'Pearl' and Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde'. Bibliographic references have been updated throughout. Each text is accompanied by detailed notes.

"A direct, clear, and user-friendly introduction to the sound of Chaucer's language, as well as to aspects of Chaucer's vocabulary and principal metrical form."--Back cover.

A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580 by Walter W. Skeat is an invaluable resource for those interested in the study of Middle English language and literature. This comprehensive dictionary provides a concise and authoritative guide to the vocabulary used during the Middle English period, covering a span of over four centuries. With detailed definitions, etymologies, and examples of usage, the book serves as a vital tool for scholars, linguists, and enthusiasts seeking to understand and interpret Middle English texts. Key Aspects of the Book A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580: Comprehensive Coverage of Middle English Vocabulary: The dictionary offers comprehensive coverage of the vocabulary used in Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580. It includes words from various sources, such as Old English, French, Latin, and other languages that influenced Middle English. Readers can explore a wide range of terms, from everyday words to specialized vocabulary found in literary, religious, and legal texts. The book provides a thorough understanding of the linguistic landscape of the Middle English period. Etymologies and Usage Examples: In addition to definitions, the dictionary includes etymologies, tracing the origins and development of words in Middle English. This feature allows readers to explore the historical evolution of the language and the influences that shaped its vocabulary. Furthermore, the book provides illustrative examples of word usage, drawn from a variety of Middle English texts. These examples help readers grasp the context and nuances of the words, enhancing their comprehension and interpretation of Middle English literature. Authoritative and Accessible Resource: Walter W. Skeat, a renowned philologist and lexicographer, brings his expertise and meticulous scholarship to this dictionary. His authoritative approach ensures accuracy and reliability in the definitions and etymologies provided. Despite its comprehensive nature, the book maintains a concise format, making it accessible and user-friendly for readers at various levels of familiarity with Middle English. Whether for academic research, literary analysis, or general interest, this dictionary serves as an indispensable companion for exploring the language of the Middle English period. In Walter W. Skeat's A Concise Dictionary of Middle English from A.D. 1150 to 1580, readers have at their disposal a comprehensive and authoritative resource for understanding the vocabulary of the Middle English period. Skeat's expertise as a philologist and lexicographer shines through in this invaluable dictionary, which provides etymologies, definitions, and usage examples to aid scholars, linguists, and language enthusiasts in their exploration of Middle English texts. This work stands as a testament to Skeat's commitment to preserving and elucidating the linguistic heritage of the Middle English period for generations to come.

The terminology in medieval Hebrew medical literature (original works and translations) has been sorely neglected by modern research. Medical terminology is virtually missing from the standard dictionaries of the Hebrew language, including Ha-Millon he-ḥadash, composed by Abraham Even-Shoshan. Ben-Yehuda’s dictionary is the only one that contains a significant number of medical terms. Unfortunately, Ben-Yehuda’s use of the medieval medical texts listed in the dictionary’s introduction is inconsistent at best. The only dictionary exclusively devoted to medical terms, both medieval and modern, is that by A.M. Masie, entitled Dictionary of Medicine and Allied Sciences. However, like the dictionary by Ben-Yehuda, it only makes occasional use of the sources registered in the introduction and only rarely differentiates between the various medieval translators. Further, since Masie’s work is alphabetized according to the Latin or English term, it cannot be consulted for Hebrew terms. The Historical Dictionary of the Hebrew Language, which is currently being created by the Academy of the Hebrew Language, has not been taken into account consistently as it is not a dictionary in the proper sense of the word. Moreover, consultation of this resource suggests that it is generally deficient in medieval medical terminology. The Bar Ilan Responsa Project has also been excluded as a source, despite the fact that it contains a larger number of medieval medical terms than the Historical Dictionary. The present dictionary has two major objectives: 1) to map the medical terminology featured in medieval Hebrew medical works, in order to facilitate study of medical terms, especially those terms that do not appear in the existing dictionaries, and terms that are inadequately represented. 2) to identify the medical terminology used by specific authors and translators, to enable the identification of anonymous medical material.