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2.17  Osforod, Fornobel

§ Osforod >> Fornobel (TI:125,147)

This name appears later as Fornost or Fornost Erain ’Norbury of the Kings’ (LotRVI ch.7); ’Norbury’ from Old English north-burg ’north-(fortified) town’ (RC:774).
The earlier names clearly mean the same, with slightly different elements. The former contains N. ost ’city, town with wall around’ (OS-) and forod ’north’ (PHOR-), the medial cluster -stf- being simplified to -sf-.
The latter variant contains forn ’right or north’ (PHOR-, PE17:80) and lenited gobel ’walled house or village, ’town” (PEL(ES)-).


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