pound

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pound

Post by Archived Topic » Mon Feb 15, 1999 12:00 am

What is the origin of the word "Pound", as in Dog Pound?
Submitted by Gregory Clark (Seymour, TN - U.S.A.)
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pound

Post by Jonathon Green » Thu Feb 18, 1999 8:00 am

Pound is something of a problem. It is not found till near the end of the Middle English period, i.e. c. 1450. A possible root, Anglo-Saxon 'pund', is known only in comb. 'pund-fold' and an early ME. 'pundbreche' or 'pound-breach' (found in the laws of Henry I). It is supported by the derivatives '(the-)pyndan' to dam up (water) and 'forpyndan' to exclude, to bar. The ultimate origin is unknown; the stem has not been certainly traced in any continental language.
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