Etymology

ME spellings in <e> are usually explained by influence from the ON reflex of the n. formed on the PGmc adj. *rakaz (cp. OIcel rakr 'straight', LG rak, MLG rak (adv.)), cp. OIcel rekendi (fem., also masc. and neut. (see ONP); fem. pl. rekendr) 'chain' next to the unmutated WGmc cognates OE racente 'chain, fetter', OHG rahhinza.

PGmc Ancestor

*rakentj-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

rekendi (fem. pl. rekendr) 'chain' 
(ONP rekendi (2) (sb); cp. rekendi (1) (sb), rekendi (3)(sb.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Icel rekindi

OE Cognate

racente 'chain, fetter'

Phonological and morphological markers

<em>i</em>-mutation

Summary category

A1*c

Attestation

The n. is attested mainly from N sources in both <a> and <e> spellings (see OED3, MED). The secondary sense 'iron bar or hook in a chimney for suspending pots over a fire; crane' is preserved in N/EM dial (EDD).

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

WA 5128, 5542

Bibliography