A Chaucer Glossary [Paperback]

Norman Davis (Author), Douglas Gray (Author), Patricia Ingham (Author), Anne Wallace-Hadrill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 1979

This Glossary, designed as a practical aid to the reading of Chaucer, is intended to be serviceable with any of the widely read editions. Its primary aim is to explain the meanings of words and phrases used by Chaucer in ways which are unfamiliar in modern English. Words used as they are today are not included, but many now in common use do appear, as they had different connotations in Chaucer's time. This concise working tool will be valuable to all Middle English scholars.

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About the Author

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat (courtier) and diplomat. He is often referred to as the Father of English Literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 2, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198111711
• ISBN-13: 978-0198111719
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great companion to have on hand, October 23, 2007

By 

J. A. Bordelon "homeschool mom" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Chaucer Glossary (Paperback)

My teenage son is currently studying Chaucer for his English literature class and is having a blast learning the Middle English and even older English phrases used in Chaucer's original writings. I am impressed because he usually hates literature, so aces to Davis for creating such a great motivating helpmate. (I have been using it, too, and it makes the translations easy and comprehension much better - wish I had had this when I was in high school),

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable?, August 6, 2011

By 

Lazar - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Chaucer Glossary (Paperback)

While the seasoned Chaucerian may only need Davis for quick reference, beginning and advanced students alike will welcome this book as a helpful and perhaps indispensable guide. Each entry offers alternate spellings when applicable, possible definitions for different forms, the location in Chaucer where each word can be found, and brief etymologies. So for instance, when Chaucer uses the word "fetis" in his translation of the Romance of the Rose, Davis provides the definition as such:

fetis adj. 1. (of people) well made, graceful C.Pard 478, pretty RR 776, 1017, handsome 821, 829. 2. (of things) well made RR 532; elegant A.Prol 157, RR 1133. [AN fetiz]

What this means is that Chaucer not only uses this word often in the Romaunt of the Rose (RR), but that it also appears in the Pardoner's Tale (C.Pard) and the General Prologue (A.Prol). Norman provides both the sense used in each location along with the line number. He also lets us know that the word comes from the Anglo-Norman word "fetiz."

This is a great tool for students studying the use of particular words in Chaucer's vocabulary, and can actually be more helpful than the OED, if one is only studying Chaucer (however, one should always consult the OED for serious etymological work). Furthermore, it would be an excellent gift for any budding medievalist. Thank you to Davis, and five stars for his trouble.