mancynn

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *manakunją. Cognate with Old Saxon mankunni, Old High German mancunni, and Old Norse mannkyn. Equivalent to mann (“human”) +‎ cynn (“race”). Compare ielfcynn (“elfkind”) and entcynn (“giant-kind”), which are formed similarly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmɑnˌkynn/, [ˈmɑnˌkyn]

Noun

mancynn n

1. humanity, mankind
2. a people; nation, race

Usage notes

• The phrase þæt mennisċe cynn (“the human race”) also occurs on occasion: hē siþþan tō helle ġefōr and þæt mennisċe cynn ālīesde (“he descended to hell and set the human race free”).

• Manncynn means humanity as in mankind. Humanity as in "the state of being human" is mennisċnes, humanity as in "humaneness" is mennisċlīcnes.

• "Mankind" in the gendered sense, i.e. "men as a group," is wǣpnedcynn. Compare wīfcynn (“womankind”).

Declension

Declension of mancynn (strong a-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	mancynn	—
accusative	mancynn	—
genitive	mancynnes	—
dative	mancynne	—

Descendants

• Middle English: mankin, mankun, mancun
  • English: mankin