Old English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From the genitive of Engle (Angles) + land (land). Literally "land of the Angles."

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈen.ɡlɑ ˌlɑnd/, [ˈeŋ.ɡlɑ ˌlɑnd]

Proper noun edit

Engla land n

  1. England

Usage notes edit

  • The word for England varies by dialect. Early West Saxon has only Angelcynn and Angelcynnes land. The Mercian translator of Bede's Ecclesiastical History (c. 900) almost exclusively uses Angelcynn and Angelþēod, but twice mentions Engla land in one sentence, where the context suggests it should be translated as "English territory." By contrast, in Late West Saxon Engla land is clearly the predominant word for England, though Angelcynn is still used occasionally. By the Middle English period, there is no trace of Angelcynn.

Declension edit

Descendants edit