Wold

/wəʊld/ · noun

Meaning

(archaic, regional) An unforested or deforested plain, a grassland, a moor..

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic, regional) An unforested or deforested plain, a grassland, a moor.
2. (obsolete) A wood or forest, especially a wooded upland.
3. (archaic, dialect, West Country, Dorset, Devon) Old.

Example Sentences

Saint Withold footed thrice the ’old; He met the nightmare, and her nine fold;

[…]—I came with my cousin, Frank Osbaldistone, there, and I must shew him the way back again to the Hall, or he’ll lose himself in the wolds.

And therefore did he take a trusty band To traverse Acarnania forest wide, In war well-seasoned, and with labours tanned, Till he did greet white Achelous’ tide, And from his farther bank Ætolia’s wolds espied.

The wind that beats the mountain, blows More softly round the open wold,

Blossomed the opening spring, and the notes of the robin and bluebird Sounded sweet upon wold and in wood, yet Gabriel came not.

Take counsel, sever from my lot your lot, Dwell in your pleasant places, hoard your gold; Lest you with me should shiver on the wold, Athirst and hungering on a barren spot.

Before yon field of trembling gold Is garnered into dusty sheaves, Or ere the autumn’s scarlet leaves Flutter as birds adown the wold, […]

It seemed to be a fairly large and prosperous farm, grouped round a modest country house standing among trees as shelter from the wind. About it rolled the open pasture of the wold, as far as could be seen.

Synonyms for wold

Antonyms for wold

Related Words

Word Forms

• wolds
• wolder
• woldest

Usage Notes

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