--- In
cybalist@yahoogroups.com, ND <nmd65@...> wrote:
> I'm interested in Anglo-Saxon religious vocabulary and
> will sincerely appreciate guidance/input regarding the
> word for "altar," namely: WIG-BED.
>
> Bosworth & Toller tells me the first part derives from
> "WIH-" which would be "idol."
>
> Is this correct? What is the etymology for "WIG-"?
> Other Germanic (and perhaps IE) cognates would be
> great.
>
> And the question that comes to mind - what is this
> "WIG-" that is bedded? Or perhaps it's nothing more
> than the prosaic: "idol-bed."
>
> Cheers,
> Nirmal Dass
*************
Buck gives your 'wigbed' as a variant of 'weobud' etc. where
the first element (as I suspected) is the Germanic word for "holy"
(also, as you say, "idol", but apparently secondarily) that shows up
in modern G. 'Weihnacht' "Christmas", and which according to Buck
appears to be related to Latin 'victima', but "further root
connections dubious".
The second element shows up in Buck's furniture section, not at
the homonymous but unrelated "bed" but at "table". The original
meaning was apparently "offering, portion" (OE 'beodan' "offer"),
then the table for the offering, and finally for an ordinary meal.
I can't find the root etym.
Dan Milton