Dictionary of Old English

The Dictionary of Old English (DOE) is a book that explains words from the Old English language. It is made by scholars at the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, led by experts like Angus Cameron, Ashley Crandell Amos, Antonette diPaolo Healey, and Haruko Momma. This dictionary works together with other big word books, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, which covers modern English, the Middle English Dictionary, which covers Middle English, and the Scottish Language Dictionaries, which cover the Scots language.

This dictionary is still being written. In September 2018, the parts of the dictionary starting with the letter I were finished. So far, the dictionary has published words that start with letters from A to K. The next part to be published will start with the letter L.

The Dictionary of Old English uses modern computer tools and is based on a big collection of old writings. This collection includes at least one copy of every known text that still exists from the time of Old English. This helps scholars and students learn more about the words and stories from long ago.

History

The Dictionary of Old English was started in 1968 to update an older dictionary called the Bosworth–Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary. The creators wanted to use computers and a large list of words to improve the dictionary. They shared their plans in 1973 and planned to begin work in 1976.

The first part of the dictionary was published in 1986 and included words that start with the letter D. By 2008, they had completed words that start with G. As of March 2015, they had published words for 8 out of the 24 letters in the Old English alphabet, finishing more than 60% of all the entries. Words starting with I were released in September 2018.

Availability

The Dictionary of Old English comes in many formats to help people learn old words. You can use it online, on a CD, or on special films called microfiche. There are also special collections of texts you can see on the internet or ask a university for to learn and study.