cunnian
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-West Germanic *kunnēn.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈkun.ni.ɑn/
Verb
cunnian
- to experience, learn to know
- 10th century, The Wanderer:
- oþþe mec frēondlēasne · frēfran wolde,
wēman mid wynnum. · Wāt sē þe cunnað,
hū slīþen bið · sorg tō ġefēran,
þām þe him lȳt hafað · lēofra ġeholena.- or friendless me would soothe,
allure with glees. Knows the one who undergoes,
how tough is sorrow as a companion,
to whom little has dear confidants for himself.
- or friendless me would soothe,
- to explore, find out, investigate
- to try, test
- late 10th century, Ælfric, "Chair of Saint Peter"
- ...and hē lēop sona cunniġende his feðes hwæðer hē cūðe gān.
- and he leapt up immediately, trying his power of motion, whether he could walk.
- late 10th century, Ælfric, "Chair of Saint Peter"
Conjugation
Conjugation of cunnian (weak, class 2)
| infinitive | cunnian | cunnienne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative mood | present tense | past tense |
| first person singular | cunniġe | cunnode |
| second person singular | cunnast | cunnodest |
| third person singular | cunnaþ | cunnode |
| plural | cunniaþ | cunnodon |
| subjunctive | present tense | past tense |
| singular | cunniġe | cunnode |
| plural | cunniġen | cunnoden |
| imperative | ||
| singular | cunna | |
| plural | cunniaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| cunniende | (ġe)cunnod | |
Descendants
- English: cun