English Explanatory Dictionary

Wessex

English dictionary entry

Meanings

name
  1. One of the seven major Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, existing between the 6th and 9th centuries, and comprising most of England south of the Thames.
  2. The West Country, a geographic area in the south west of England.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɛs.ɪks/

Word forms

Wessex

Etymology

From Middle English Westsex, from Old English Westseaxan (literally “West Saxons”), which stood for both Wessex and its people. The use of Wessex in a modern context for the West Country was popularised by Thomas Hardy, who used the term for his semi-fictional setting based on the region.

Related words

Essex Middlesex Sussex

Derived words

Wessex Saddleback
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