A Dictionary of the First or Oldest Words in the English Language / From the Semi-Saxon Period of A.D. 1250 to 1300

An alphabetical inventory collects every word attested in printed English literature of the thirteenth century, arranged under their modern forms while older and obsolete spellings are recorded and cross-referenced. Entries supply citations, variant forms, and brief etymological comparisons with cognates in related languages, supplemented by a glossary and separate indexes for easier verification. A preface outlines the work’s purpose as a reference standard for compiling a historical English dictionary and lists the editions and manuscripts used, together with editorial abbreviations. The volume serves as a practical foundation for tracing early English vocabulary, usage, and linguistic relationships.