handweorc

Old English

Alternative forms

• hondweorc

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *handuwerką. Equivalent to hand (“hand”) +‎ weorc (“work”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈxɑndˌwe͜ork/, [ˈhɑndˌwe͜orˠk]

Noun

handweorc n

1. manual labor
2. something made with the hands: handiwork, handcraft
   • 10th century, Exeter Book Riddle 5‎^[1]:

     …ac mec hnossiað homera lāfa, heardecg heoroscearp, hondweorc smiþa bītað in burgum;

     …but remains of hammers strike me, harsh edge of sharp sword, handiworks of smiths bite in boroughs;

Declension

Declension of handweorc (strong a-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	handweorc	handweorc
accusative	handweorc	handweorc
genitive	handweorces	handweorca
dative	handweorce	handweorcum

Synonyms

• handġeweorc

Related terms

• handworht

Descendants

• Middle English: hondwerk, handwerke, hondewerk, andwork, handwarke, handwerk, hand-warke, handewerrc
  • English: handwork
  • Scots: handwerk, handwark

See also

• handcræft