Middle English Dictionary Entry
-dọ̄m suf.
Entry Info
| Forms | -dọ̄m suf. |
| Etymology |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
In nouns formed on nouns, denoting office, rank, status, or state, but also the domain or realm of an office or institution. (a) From OE: alder-dom, kine-dom, king-dom; cristen-dom, hethen-dom; martir-dom, theu-dom, etc.; (b) formed in ME: duk-dom, thral-dom.
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2.
In nouns formed from adjs., denoting a state. (a) From OE: fre-dom, hali-dom, wis-dom; (b) formed in ME: caitifdom, fals-dom, swikel-dom.
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3.
In at least one noun formed on a verb stem in ME: thẹ̄-dom prosperity (from thẹ̄-n prosper).
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4.
Specialized senses appear, e.g., in hali-dom a sanctuary, leche-dom a remedy, wis-dom a proverb or saying.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: See waxdam for an example suggesting the possibility of a short vowel.--per JLS