m. I. of things, source, origin :-- Ordfruma origo, Ælfc. Gr. 9, 3; Som. 8, 58. Ós byþ ordfruma ǽlcere sprǽce, Runic pm. Kmbl. 340, 5; Rún. 4. II. of persons, (1) author, source, (a) applied to the Deity :-- Crist, ordfruma ǽlcere gife, Homl. Th. ii. 526, 7. Ordfruma ealre clǽnnesse, Blickl. Homl. 13, 21. Drihten is ordfruma (auctor) ealra eadignesse, Bd. 4, 30; S. 609, 16. God, lífes ordfruma, Exon. Th. 14, 30; Cri. 227. Ordfruma ealra gescafta, Cd. Th. 292, 17; Sat. 442. (b) applied to others :-- Se wæs ordfruma (auctor) ðæs gefeohtes, Bd. 3, 24; S. 556, 32. Danaus ðæs yfeles ordfruma scelerum fabricator Danaus, Ors. 1, 8; Swt. 40, 16: Nicod. 6; Thw. 3, 14: 29; Thw. 17, 4. (2) chief, head, prince :-- Wæs mín fæder æþele ordfruma, Beo. Th. 531; B. 263. Daniel wæs ordfruma earmre láfe, Cd. Th. 225, 10; Dan. 152. Ðonne beóþ ða synfullan genyðerade mid heora ordfruman, swá hé genyðerad wearþ, Blickl. Homl. 33, 1. [O. Sax. ord-frumo: O. H. Ger. ort-frumo auctor.] ord-fruma