wurþig

Wurþig is an Old English adjective meaning “worthy, deserving, valuable.” The form is typically found in medieval manuscripts written with the thorn letter (þ) to represent the sounds th. In English-language philology, wurþig is treated as a fossilized instance of the older Germanic adjective pattern that yields modern equivalents of “worthy.”

Etymology and cognates point to a Proto-Germanic origin. The root is related to the concept of worth and value, and the adjective suffix -ig forms a descriptor. Cognate forms appear in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German wertig, Dutch waardig, and German wertig, all conveying the sense of being worthy or valuable. The English development parallels the broader shift from a noun or stem meaning “worth” to an attributive adjective.

Usage and context: In Old English texts, wurþig described persons, deeds, or objects that merited esteem, honor, or reward. It conveys moral or social appraisal rather than monetary worth. The term could modify a person (a wurþig man) or an action or object deemed deserving of recognition or reward within a given cultural frame.

Modern relevance: Wurþig is primarily of interest to historical linguists and medievalists as an example of Germanic adjective formation and as a cognate of words such as German wertig and Dutch waardig. In contemporary English, the direct descendant is the adjective worthy, while wurþig serves as a window into the linguistic landscape of Old English and its relatives.