The Forgotten Word "yclept": Uncovering the Meaning and Usage of an Archaic Term

Yclept is a word that means "named" or "called." It is an archaic term that was commonly used in Old English and Middle English, but it has largely fallen out of use in modern English.

The word "yclept" is derived from the Old English word "cylt," which meant "called" or "named." This word was often used in phrases such as "yclept by name" or "yclept after his name," to indicate that someone had been given a specific name or title.

In modern English, we might use the word "called" or "named" instead of "yclept," so for example: "He was called John" or "She was named Sarah." However, "yclept" can add a more formal or archaic touch to writing, and it can be used to create a sense of historical or literary context.