attren

Middle English

Etymology

Inherited from Old English ǣtrian, ǣttrian, from Proto-West Germanic *aitrōn, from Proto-Germanic *aitrōną; equivalent to atter (poison) +‎ -en (infinitival suffix).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈatrən/

Verb

attren (third-person singular simple present attreth, present participle attrende, attrynge, first-/third-person singular past indicative and past participle attred) (Northern or Early Middle English)

  1. To poison or envenom
  2. (rare, figurative) To pervert or ruin.

Usage notes

  • This verb is usually found in the past tense, though other forms sometimes appear.

Conjugation

Conjugation of attren (weak in -ed)
infinitive (to) attren, attre
present tense past tense
1st-person singular attre attred
2nd-person singular attrest attredest
3rd-person singular attreth attred
subjunctive singular attre
imperative singular
plural1 attren, attre attreden, attrede
imperative plural attreth, attre
participles attrynge, attrende attred, yattred

1 Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants

  • English: atter
  • Scots: etter (vocalism may be due to influence from Old Norse eitra)

References