nabban
Old English
Etymology
Contraction of ne + habban. The same process occurred with ne + willan (nillan, to not want), ne + wesan (nesan, to not be), and ne + witan (nytan, to not know).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈnɑb.bɑn/
Verb
nabban
- to not have, be without
- late 10th century, Ælfric, Lives of Saints
- Næbbe iċ seolfor ne gold...
- I don't have silver or gold...
- Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church
- Þæt sǣd þe bufon ðām stǣniġum lande fēol sprytte hwæthwega, ac ðāðā sēo hǣte cōm, ðā forsċranc hit, forðan ðe hit næfde nǣnne wǣtan.
- The seed that fell upon the stony ground sprouted somewhat, but when the heat came, it withered, for it did not have any moisture.
- late 10th century, Ælfric, Lives of Saints
Conjugation
Conjugation of nabban (weak, class 3)
| infinitive | nabban | næbbenne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative mood | present tense | past tense |
| first person singular | næbbe | næfde |
| second person singular | næfst | næfdest |
| third person singular | næfþ | næfde |
| plural | nabbaþ | næfdon |
| subjunctive | present tense | past tense |
| singular | næbbe | næfde |
| plural | næbben | næfden |
| imperative | ||
| singular | nafa | |
| plural | nabbaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| næbbende | (ġe)næfd | |