Definitions For Speight

Noun

SPEIGHT (plural SPEIGHTs) {{tlb, en, obsolete, dialect}} A woodpecker.

Alternative forms

{{alter, en, specht, spekt, spight}}

Etymology

{{root, en, ine-pro, *(s)peyk-}} From late {{inh, en, enm-nor, specht, t=woodpecker}}, from {{inh, en, ang, spiht}}, *speoht, from {{inh, en, gmw-pro, *spiht}}, *speht, from {{inh, en, gem-pro, *spihtaz}}, *spehtaz, from {{der, en, ine-pro, *(s)peyk-, t=a kind of bird, woodpecker, magpie}}. Traditionally considered to be borrowed from {{cog, dum, -}} or {{cog, gml, -}}, but this is rendered problematic by the mention of Spehtesberie in {{w, Domesday}} ({{m+, enm, Speghtesbury}}, Spettesbury; modern Spettisbury). Compare {{cog, nl, specht, t=woodpecker}}, {{cog, de, Specht, t=woodpecker}}, {{cog, da, spætte, t=woodpecker}}, {{cog, la, pīcus, t=woodpecker}}.