nægl

Meaning

1. the nail of a finger or toe

   54. Ġif þūma ofaslæhð, xx sċill' Ġif ðūman næġl of weorðeþ, III sċill' ġebēte Ġif man sċytefinger ofaslæhð, VIIII sċill' ġebēte. Ġif man middelfinger ofaslæhð, IIII sċill' ġebēte. Ġif man goldfinger ofaslæhð, VI sċill' ġebēte. Ġif man þone lȳtlan finger ofaslæhð, XI sċill' ġebēte. 54. If a thumb is cut off, 20 shillings [shall be paid in compensation]. If a thumbnail is knoc

   If a man cuts off the little finger, he shall pay 11 shillings in compensation.

   Laws of King Æþelberht

2. a nail or peg as a fastening

   ⁊ hæfdon ġeleornad mā cræfta hū hīe þā elpendas beswīcan mehton, mid þǣm þæt hīe nāmon trēowu, ⁊ slōgon on oþerne ende moniġe sċearpe īsene næġlas, ⁊ hīe mid flexe bewundon, ⁊ onbǣrndon hit, ⁊ beþyddan hit þonne on þone elpend hindan...

   And they had learned more tricks through which they could ensnare the elephants; they took stakes and drove into the other end many sharp iron nails, and wrapped them in flax, and set them on fire, and then thrust them into the elephant from behind...

   late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans

3. an instrument used to play the strings of a harp, a plectrum; (in compounds) handle

Declension