Middle English

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Etymology 1

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Inherited from Old English ġerd, from Proto-West Germanic *gaʀdi, from Proto-Germanic *gazdijō. related to Polish żerdź from Proto-Slavic *žьrdь ("perch, pole, ricker").

Alternative forms

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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ȝerde (plural ȝerdes or ȝerden)

  1. A bar or rod; a long, skinny piece of material:
    1. A twig or shoot; a small branch or extension from a trunk.
    2. A crutch or staff; a bar used to support something.
    3. A baton; a bar used as a blunt weapon.
    4. A bar used to stop a joint from moving; a splint.
    5. A rod used to represent legitimacy, right, and might.
    6. (rare) A magical or mystical rod.
    7. (rare) A ruler totalling a yard.
  2. One's penis or phallus; the main sexual organ of a male.
  3. A yard (unit of length consisting of three feet, often used for fabric)
  4. A unit of area averaging approximately 30 acres; a virgate.
  5. An upright slab of wood which a sail is attached onto.
  6. An offspring or heir; one that descends from a lineage.
  7. (rare) A line or column of smoke or mist.
Derived terms
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Descendants
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  • English: yard, yerd
  • Scots: yaird, yeard, yird
References
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Etymology 2

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Noun

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ȝerde

  1. Alternative form of yerd (land; property)