Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A dialect of Middle English: "West Saxon" refers to one of the principal dialects of the Middle English language, historically used in the region of Wessex.
   • A literary dialect of Old English: In the Old English period, "West Saxon" denotes the dialect that became the dominant literary and administrative standard, particularly associated with the court of King Alfred.
   • An inhabitant of Wessex: "West Saxon" can also refer to a person who lived in or was from the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Dialect):
  • The manuscript is written in a form of West Saxon. (The text uses the standardized Old English dialect from Wessex.)
  • West Saxon was influential in the development of early English literature. (This dialect played a key role in shaping early English writing.)
• Proper noun (Person):
  • Alfred the Great was a notable West Saxon. (The famous king was an inhabitant and ruler of the kingdom of Wessex.)

Advanced Usage

• "Late West Saxon": Refers to the form of the Old English dialect that was standardized and used in writing after the time of King Alfred.
  • The text is composed in Late West Saxon.
• As an adjective: While primarily a noun, it can function attributively to describe things related to Wessex or its dialect.
  • The West Saxon chronicle is a vital historical source. (The chronicle from Wessex is important.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wessex (Proper noun): The historical Anglo-Saxon kingdom in southern England.
• Anglo-Saxon (Noun/Adjective): A broader term for the early English people, their language, or culture, which includes West Saxons.

Synonyms

• For dialect: Old English standard, Alfredian English (context-specific for the literary form).
• For inhabitant: Wessexian (less common).

Notes on Meaning

• The term is primarily historical and linguistic. The first two definitions (dialects) are the most common in academic contexts.
• The third definition (inhabitant) is less frequently used in modern English but is correct for historical description.

Noun

1. a dialect of Middle English
2. a literary dialect of Old English
3. an inhabitant of Wessex