fyrd

noun

ˈfərd,

ˈfi(ə)rd

plural -s

1

: the national militia in England prior to the Norman Conquest

men of the fyrd were mustered and their weapons counted

—Hope Muntz

2

: the duty to serve in the fyrd

Word History

Etymology

Old English fierd, fyrd (also, campaign, camp); akin to Old High German fart journey, Old Norse ferth, Gothic usfartho departure; derivatives from the root of English fare

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