ofslean

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *abslahan, equivalent to of- +‎ slēan. Cognate with Old High German abaslahan.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ofˈslæ͜ɑːn/

Verb

ofslēan

  1. to kill
    • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
      Hēr man ofslōh Ælfwine bē Trēntan.
      In this year a man slew Alvin near the Trent.
    • late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans
      Þǣr wæs Persa X M ofslæġen ġehorsedra, ⁊ eahtatiġ M fēþena,⁊ eahtatiġ M ġefangenra.
      There, 10,000 Persian cavalry were slain, and 80,000 infanty, and 80,000 were captured.
    Þone ǣrestan þe hē tō ġebīecneþ, þone iċ ofslēa.
    The first person he points to, that's who I'm killing.
    Ne lǣtaþ ġē ēow self þǣr ūte ofslēan.
    Don't get yourselves killed out there.

Conjugation

  • ofslæġennes
  • ofsleġe
  • unofslæġen

Descendants

  • Middle English: ofslēn