delfan
Middle English
Verb
delfan
- (Early Middle English) alternative form of delven
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-West Germanic *delban, from Proto-Germanic *delbaną. Cognate with Old Frisian delva, Old Saxon *delƀan, Old Dutch *delvan, and Old High German *telban.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈdel.fɑn/, [ˈdeɫ.vɑn]
Verb
delfan
Conjugation
Conjugation of delfan (strong, class III)
| infinitive | delfan | delfenne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative mood | present tense | past tense |
| first person singular | delfe | dealf |
| second person singular | dilfst | dulfe |
| third person singular | dilfþ | dealf |
| plural | delfaþ | dulfon |
| subjunctive | present tense | past tense |
| singular | delfe | dulfe |
| plural | delfen | dulfen |
| imperative | ||
| singular | delf | |
| plural | delfaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| delfende | (ġe)dolfen | |
Derived terms
- ādelfan (“to excavate”)
- bedelfan (“to dig around, bury”)
- delfere (“digger”)
- delfing (“digging”)
- fordelfan (“to delve, dig”)
- þurhdelfan (“to dig through, pierce”)
- underdelfan (“to dig under, undermine, break through”)