Bretwalda

noun

Bret·​wal·​da
ˈbretˌwȯldə
plural -s
: the chief king in Anglo-Saxon England
—used as a title in the Old English Chronicle for several kings said to have held supremacy over kingdoms beyond their own

Word History

Etymology

Old English bretwalda, brytenwealda, probably from Bryten Britain + -walda, -wealda (from wealdan to rule)

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Dictionary Entries Near Bretwalda

Bretton Woods

Bretwalda

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Cite this Entry

“Bretwalda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bretwalda. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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