Seaxe

Old English

Etymology

The older form is Seaxan, which is also quite common. The i-stem plural Seaxe formed sometime after i-umlaut had gone to completion, by analogy with other names of peoples such as Engle (“the Angles”), Mierċe (“the Mercians”), and Norþanhymbre (“the Northumbrians”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈsæ͜ɑk.se/

Proper noun

Seaxe m pl

Alternative form of Seaxan (“the Saxons”)

Usage notes

The expected genitive form *Seaxa does not occur in this noun or any of its derivatives. Instead Seaxna is used, from the competing plural Seaxan. Since Seaxe and Seaxan do not differ in the dative case (Seaxum), Seaxe is only distinct in the nominative/accusative.

Declension

Declension of Seaxe (strong i-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	—	Seaxe
accusative	—	Seaxe
genitive	—	Seaxna
dative	—	Seaxum