esne

[ ez-nee, -ne ]

noun

1. (in Anglo-Saxon England) a member of the lowest class; laborer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of esne¹

before 950; < Old English; cognate with Old High German asni, Gothic asneis day laborer, harvester, akin to asans harvest

Example Sentences

There are two ancient zodiacs—one at Esne on the Nile, and one in India—besides two more modern ones at Denderah in Egypt.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir William Drummond, who wrote in 1811, estimated the age of the one at Esne at about 6500 years; Dupuis made it 1000 years older; while other calculations date the Indian zodiac back 22,875 years, and the Egyptian one 30,100 years.

From Project Gutenberg

He finds in the solar zodiac of Esne in Egypt as clear predictions of the coming of Christ as he finds in Isaiah or any other Jewish prophet.

From Project Gutenberg

An "esne" was a slave who worked for hire.

From Project Gutenberg

If one esne slay another unoffending, let him pay for him at his full worth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• servant