ealdormann

Old English

Alternative forms

• ealdorman

Etymology

Compound of ealdor (“elder, leader”) +‎ mann (“man”). Cognate with Swedish ålderman (“(archaic) elder; spokesman, representative (of a tribe or family)”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈæ͜ɑl.dorˌmɑnn/, [ˈæ͜ɑɫ.dorˌmɑn]

Noun

ealdormann m

1. a leader, ruler, prince
2. a master, overseer
3. a judge

Usage notes

• Used to indicate various occupations in various contexts (both secular and ecclesiastical) in the Old English corpus, but generally has a meaning of “leader”, “master” or “judge”.

Declension

Declension of ealdormann (strong consonant stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	ealdormann	ealdormenn
accusative	ealdormann	ealdormenn
genitive	ealdormannes	ealdormanna
dative	ealdormenn	ealdormannum

Descendants

• Middle English: alderman, aldermon
  • English: alderman
• → English: ealdorman, ealderman, eolderman (learned)