Old English · noun

ælfþone

Part of speech: noun, feminine
Declension: weak n-stem
IPA: /ˈælf.θo.ne/
[ˈæɫf.θo.ne]
Syllables: ˈælf · θo · ne (3 syllables)
Modern English: elves apotropaic dulcamara powers scrambling solanum dulcamara nightshade ascribed

Meaning

Nightshade (probably the scrambling shrub Solanum dulcamara), as ascribed to (and/or having apotropaic powers against) elves.

Declension

Declension of ælfþone
	Singular	Plural
Nominative	ælfþone	ælfþonan
Accusative	ælfþonan	ælfþonan
Genitive	ælfþonan	ælfþonena
Dative	ælfþonan	ælfþonum

Etymology

From ælf (“elf”) + *-þone, so named because it was considered a remedy for ælfādl (“elf disease”). The second element may be a cognate to þennan (“to stretch”), referring to the weakly climbing nature of the plant's stalk.

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