Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Rarely or little known; unusual; uncommon; strange; wonderful.
- noun A wonder; a marvel.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective obsolete Rarely known; unusual; strange.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
Strange ,unusual ,rare ;unfamiliar ;marvellous ,wondrous .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Middle English, from Old English selcūþ, seldcūþ ("unusual, unwonted, little known, unfamiliar, novel, rare"), from seld- ("rarely") + cūþ ("known"); equivalent to seld + couth.
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Examples
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Selcouth: An Old English word that describes the feeling of finding everything unfamiliar and strange, yet marvellous anyway
Is there a word for the feeling of heightened awareness when travelling? 2023
nickmiller commented on the word selcouth
Literally, 'seldom known'! Has a lovely old english sound to it!
June 12, 2007
whichbe commented on the word selcouth
Strange; unfamiliar; marvellous. Combining the sense of strangeness with that of wonder, selcouth is a fantastic self-referential word, being both marvellous and (to most English speakers) entirely unfamiliar. No word is really synonymous with it, and it reflects very well the sense of wonder and amazement at seeing something truly new and unusual. (From The Phrontistery)
June 11, 2008
nakedmardou commented on the word selcouth
The definition in whichbe's comment is from the website where i originally read the word a few years ago, and instantly fell in love.
This is my absolute favorite word!
May 21, 2009
qms commented on the word selcouth
The cock is a magus, forsooth,
With ways of knowing selcouth.
He'll peck at the ground
Until he has found
The elusive kernel of truth.
See also alectryomancy.
August 9, 2014