The correct spelling of the Old English word for "horse guard" is HORS WEARD. It is pronounced as "hɔrs wɛ:ɑrd" in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable sounds like the word "horse", while the second syllable has a long "e" sound. The "w" in the middle of the word is pronounced as a voiced "w". The final syllable has a short "a" sound, followed by a rolled "r" and a "d" sound. This word is commonly found in medieval texts and refers to the guards responsible for protecting horses.
The word "Hors weard" is derived from Old English and has its roots in the Germanic language family. Here is a breakdown of its etymology:
1. "Hors": This comes from the Old English word "hors", which ultimately traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "hursaz". This term referred to the animal we now know as a horse.
2. "Weard": This comes from the Old English word "weard", which is related to the Old High German word "wartan" and the Old Norse word "vǫrðr". "Weard" means "guard" or "protector" in Old English.
When combined, "Hors weard" essentially means "horse-guard" or "horse-protector". It likely referred to someone who was responsible for tending or protecting horses in Old English society.