Haec quicumque legis. A Tenth-Century Etymological Lexicon

Haec quicumque legis is a remarkable window onto the intellectual world of tenth-century Europe, offering a rich etymological lexicon compiled within the notebooks of the monastic polymath Ademar of Chabannes. This glossary, preserved in the Leiden manuscript VLO 15, blends Latin, Greek, and Old High German to illuminate the meanings, origins, and nuances of hundreds of words. Drawing from classical authors like Priscian, Isidore, Juvenal, and Persius, it reflects a pedagogical intent. The lexicon’s structure, commentary, and multilingual glosses reveal a vibrant scholarly exchange between French and German monastic traditions. With its encyclopedic scope and focus on etymology, it stands as a precursor to later medieval lexicography. This edition, meticulously edited and annotated, is an essential resource for scholars of medieval studies, historical linguistics, and the transmission of classical knowledge.

Introduction

Conspectus siglorum

Edition

Commentary

Appendix 1: Old High German Words

Appendix 2: Glosses on Priscian

Bibliography

Index of Lemmata