angildn.

Etymology: Probably < one adj. + the base of yield n. or yield v.; compare the similarly-formed Old English āngilde (adjective) payable by simple compensation (in an isolated attestation; < one adj. + Old English -gilde (in twigilde payable twofold, þrigilde payable threefold, etc.) < the Germanic base of yield n. or yield v. + a suffix forming adjectives). Formations with the same element in other Germanic languages are shown by Old Frisian twījelde (adverb) by payment of a double wergild, and also Old Icelandic tvígildr of double value. The antiquity of this kind of formation is implied by post-classical Latin –gildum in hybrid formations (with Latin numeral as first element) in early continental Germanic laws (e.g. trigildum , novigildum (both early 6th cent.), respectively ‘threefold compensation or fine’ and ‘ninefold compensation or fine’). In β. forms after gild n.²; compare post-classical Latin angildum (c1115 in a British source; < Old English) and the discussion at geld n.²The ablaut grade reflected by Old English -gilde (in both noun and adjective formations) is not entirely clear. The evidence of the parallel formations in continental West Germanic and in North Germanic shows the e -grade of the Germanic base of yield v. (compare yield n. and the formations discussed at guild n.), and this is often assumed for Old English -gilde , too; however, there is some contrary evidence suggesting the zero-grade of the Germanic base of yield v. (with i-mutation of u to y ; compare the early 9th-cent. y spelling in quot. eOE¹; later spellings are ambiguous), and it is possible that Old English -gilde may perhaps ultimately reflect either a different origin (in the zero-grade) or a mixed origin with different ablaut variants of the Germanic base. The identification of the first element of the noun with ān one adj. is supported by post-classical Latin glosses in British sources from 815 onwards until the 12th cent.; compare e.g. singulare pretium in quot. eOE¹. This implies an original sense ‘simple compensation’, i.e. payment of the exact value assigned by law or restitution; however, in the Old English legal sources the word also seems to be used in a more general sense. This is probably due to semantic bleaching of the first element. It is less likely that it reflects merger with an otherwise unattested legal term with different first element; however, compare the verbs Old English ongieldan , Old Frisian undjelda , Old Dutch antgeldan , Old Saxon andgeldan , Old High German intgeltan , all in sense ‘to pay (the penalty) for, atone for’ (compare and- prefix). Perhaps compare also Old Icelandic iðgjǫld , Old Danish igiald , both in sense ‘recompense’ (compare ed- prefix), beside Old Icelandic tvígjald , Old Danish twigild . In the β. forms, treatment of the first element probably chiefly reflects modern pronunciation of post-classical Latin angildum , but compare also an- prefix¹.