ceorl

American  

[chey-awrl] / ˈtʃeɪ ɔrl /

noun

Obsolete.

1. churl.

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ceorl British  

/ tʃɛəl /

noun

1. a freeman of the lowest class in Anglo-Saxon England

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Other Word Forms

• ceorlish adjective

Etymology

Origin of ceorl

before 1000; this form borrowed (17th century) < Old English

Example Sentences

At all events it is certain that the ceorl was frequently a holder of land, and a person of some position, and that he could attain the rank of a thegn.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various

At last a light shone through the darkness, and towards it the ceorl who bore Egwina walked rapidly.

From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster

But, from an early date, the English themselves were fond of verbal jingles, such as "Scot and lot," "sac and soc," "frith and grith," "eorl and ceorl," or "might and right."

From Early Britain Anglo-Saxon Britain by Allen, Grant

He had said to himself again and again that her father was right; that the poor ceorl, Giles Winterborne, would never have been able to make such a dainty girl happy.

From The Woodlanders by Hardy, Thomas

"They dared to say," replied the ceorl who had before spoken, "they had the sanction of the king."

From Alfgar the Dane or the Second Chronicle of Aescendune by Crake, A. D. (Augustine David)