understandan
Old English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Proto-West Germanic *understandan, from Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, stand in the midst, understand”), from *under (“between, among”), *standaną (“to stand”). Akin to Old Frisian understanda, understonda (Saterland Frisian unnerstounde), Old High German untarstantan, Old Norse undirstanda (Middle Danish understande). Equivalent to under- + standan.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˌun.derˈstɑn.dɑn/
Verb
understandan (West Saxon)
Usage notes
This verb was used primarily in late West Saxon, and is almost entirely absent in the Anglian dialects. There, other synonyms were preferred, primarily onġietan.
Conjugation
Conjugation of understandan (strong, class VI)
| infinitive | understandan | understandenne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative mood | present tense | past tense |
| first person singular | understande | understōd |
| second person singular | understenst, understentst | understōde |
| third person singular | understent | understōd |
| plural | understandaþ | understōdon |
| subjunctive | present tense | past tense |
| singular | understande | understōde |
| plural | understanden | understōden |
| imperative | ||
| singular | understand | |
| plural | understandaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| understandende | understanden | |
Synonyms
Derived terms
Descendants
- Middle English: understonden, understanden
- English: understand
- Scots: understand, onderstand
- Yola: understhoane