Literary notes about gaf (AI summary)
The term “gaf” is employed as an archaic form of “gave,” functioning not only to denote the physical act of transferring or bestowing objects—such as wine or weaponry [1, 2]—but also to imply the conferment of abstract benefits like grace or favor [3, 4]. Its usage spans various literary modes, appearing in narrative and poetic texts alike, where it helps to underscore social relationships, authority, and ritualistic acts, ranging from royal endowments [5, 6] to everyday exchanges [7, 8]. This multifaceted employment underscores the rich linguistic heritage of early English, reflecting both regional nuances and evolving grammatical conventions over time [9, 10].
- The scheref made John gode chere, And gaf hym wine of the best; At nyzt thei went to her bedde, And euery man to his rest.
— from A Collection of Ballads by Andrew Lang - He gaf hym a gode swerd in his hond, His hed therwith for to kepe, And ther as the walle was lowyst Anon down can thei lepe.
— from The Oxford Book of Ballads - And Grace gaf Piers 13490 Of his goodnesse foure stottes; Al that hise oxen eriede, Page 412 {412} Thei to harewen after.
— from The Vision and Creed of Piers Ploughman, Volume 2 of 2 by William Langland - Seye to us in what powers thou doist these thingis, and who is he that gaf to thee this power.—
— from The English Language by R. G. (Robert Gordon) Latham - LXIV Litull John spyrred after the Schereff, And sone he hym fonde; He oppyned the Kyngus prive seell, And gaf hym in his honde.
— from The Oxford Book of Ballads - Þess er við getit at Auðun kaupir þar bjarn-dȳri eitt, gǫ̈rsimi mikla, ok gaf þar fyrir alla eigu sīna.
— from Icelandic Primer with Grammar, Notes and Glossary by Henry Sweet - The indictment set forth that she “took a reid cock, slew it, baked a bannock with the blude of it, and gaf the samyn to the leper to eat.”
— from Sir James Young Simpson and Chloroform (1811-1870)Masters of Medicine by H. Laing (Henry Laing) Gordon - "Ye canna creep out at that hole, lad; you must speak to the point—you understand me—if you want favour; gif-gaf makes gude friends, ye ken.
— from The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Volume 1 by Walter Scott - Com(m)aundement , &c., n. commandment, IV b 15, XI b 63, 86, 226; gaf in comm. , commanded, XVII 32.
— from A Middle English Vocabulary, Designed for use with Sisam's Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose by J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien - LIX He gaf John the seel in hand, The Sheref for to bere, To bryng Robyn hym to,
— from The Oxford Book of Ballads
