treow

Senses

1. tree

   "Gospel of Saint Luke", chapter 19, verse 4

   Then he ran in front and climbed (lit. ascended) up on a tree. From sycamores that he saw him. For which he would go from there.

2. wood

3. trees, a forest

4. a piece of wood: beam, log, stake, staff, cudgel

   ⁊ 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

5. gallows; cross

Declension · strong a-stem

Senses

1. loyalty, faithfulness

   beorn of his brēostum ācȳþan, · nemþe hē ǣr þā bōte cunne, eorl mid elne ġefremman. · Wel bið þām þe him āre sēċeð, frōfre tō fæder on heofonum, · þǣr ūs eal sēo fæstnung stondeð.

   Good is that keeps his belief, should not ever unfold his wrath, fighter of his breasts, too quickly, unless before this help he would know how to help out a man with strength. It's good for him who seeks help from the Father in heavens, where this whole fastening stands for us.

   Til biþ sē þe his trēowe ġehealdeþ, · ne sċeal nǣfre his torn tō ryċene

2. grace, favour, help

3. an assurance of faith; word, promise, engagement, covenant, league

   Ġef ðē þurh trēowa findon þā ðe þē findon, sile mē þā trēowa.

   If it is by faith that they find Thee who do find Thee, give me that faith.

   late 9th century, King Alfred's translation of Saint Augustine's Soliloquies

Declension · strong ō-stem