English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Calque of Old English glēobēam (harp, literally joy-wood), equivalent to glee +‎ beam.

Noun

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glee-beam (plural glee-beams)

  1. (Anglo-Saxon, historical, kenning, music) A harp.
    • 1895, Mary Louisa Georgina Petrie Carus-Wilson, Tokiwa and Other Poems, page 120:
      " [] So we do him service gladly, thronging round our noble king,
      While the glee-beams at the banquet with the Scêfing's praises ring."
    • 1896, Stephen Humphreys Villiers Gurteen, The Epic of the Fall of Man:
      The king's scop or earl's gleeman, was the favourite of the court; the one indispensable guest at every banquet and every courtly gathering; whose skill with the glee-beam or harp spread joy throughout the festive hall, and whose memory was stored with soul-stirring tales of great deeds, the recital of which could not fail to fire the hearts and quicken the pulses of young and old alike.
    • 1919, The Wellesley Alumnae Quarterly, volume 4, page 166:
      That man may sing and declare many things. A marvel of wisdom is hidden in his heart. Another with his fingers may loudly strike the harp, stir the glee-beam for the joy of his companions.
    • 1923, Lucy Foster Madison, A Maid at King Alfred's Court:
      “Then there will we abide. Long have we wayfared, and wearied am I by the journey. Though the priests may not hearken to song, or story, or glee-beam, yet will they shelter us for the night.”