𐍆𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽

This word is problematic in some respects, which muddles the etymology. Note the apparent grammatical incongruence in various attestations, with apparently singular forms of fadrein agreeing with plural demonstratives: þai fadrein and þans fadrein (found in John 9:18-22). Note also the existence of one apparently neuter plural form fadreina (Corinthians II, 12:14), which contrasts with the masculine demonstratives þai and þans of the earlier-mentioned examples.

There are multiple theories of this word's origin, including:

• Possibly a neuter substantivization of an otherwise unattested adjective *𐍆𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃 (*fadreins, “paternal”), from Proto-Germanic *fadrīnaz (“paternal”). Cognate with Old English fæderen (“paternal”). Compare also Latin patrīnus (“godfather”), which is analogously formed.^[1][2]
• Alternatively Miller (2019), following Bammesberger (1995), notes that while generally regarded as a singular, it is "in reality [...] a defective masculine plural (as a reflex of an old dual)", as indicated by various factors, e.g. the apparent incongruences between the singular number of fadrein and the plural number of the agreeing demonstratives.^[3][4]

It is formally identical to Old Norse -feðri (“parentage”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈfa.driːn/

𐍆𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽 • (fadrein) n or m

1. parents (always plural in meaning, but often singular in grammatical number -- even when congruent with another plural)

   Synonym: 𐌱𐌴𐍂𐌿𐍃𐌾𐍉𐍃 (bērusjōs)

2. (patri-)lineage, ancestry

The form 𐍆𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽𐌰𐌹𐍃 (fadreinais), not listed here, may be a scribal error and in fact belong to this noun instead (see 𐍆𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃 (fadreins)).

• 𐍆𐌰𐌳𐌰𐍂 (fadar, “father”) (hapax)
• 𐍆𐌰𐌳𐍂𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃 (fadreins, “(patri)lineage, kin”)