clawen
Middle English
Etymology 1
From Old English clawan, clāwan, *clēn, clawian, from Proto-Germanic *klawjaną; equivalent to clawe + -en (“infinitive suffix”).
Alternative forms
- clawy, clawe, clowe, clawyn, cleen
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈklau̯ən/, /ˈklɔu̯ən/, /ˈkleːn/
Verb
clawen
- To scratch at with the claws; to claw or make lacerations.
- To scratch gently (as to remove pain or aching).
- (rare) To grab onto; to make a grip on something.
- (rare) To flatter; to butter up.
- (rare) To wipe or remove dirt by abrasion.
Conjugation
Conjugation of clawen (weak/strong class 7)
| infinitive | (to) clawen | |
|---|---|---|
| indicative | present | past |
| 1st person singular | clawe | clawed, clew |
| 2nd person singular | clawest | clawedest, *clewe |
| 3rd person singular | claweþ, claweth | clawed, clew |
| plural | clawen | *clawed(en), *clewe(n) |
| subjunctive | present | past |
| singular | clawe | clawed, *clewe |
| plural | clawen | *clawed(en), *clewe(n) |
| imperative | present | |
| singular | clawe | |
| plural | claweþ, claweth | |
| participle | present | past |
| clawende, clawinge | clawed, *clowen | |
Descendants
- English: claw
- Scots: claw
References
- “clauen (v.)” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-12.
Etymology 2
From clawe + -en (“plural suffix”).
Noun
clawen
- plural of clawe