cleofan
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *kleubaną, from Proto-Indo-European *glewbʰ- (“cut, carve”). Germanic cognates include Old Saxon kliovan, Middle Dutch clieven (Dutch klieven), Old High German klioban, Old Norse kljúfa.The Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek γλύφω (glúphō, “carve”), Latin glūbō (“strip the bark off a tree”), Russian глубокий (glubokij, “deep”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈkleːofɑn/, [ˈkleːovɑn]
Verb
clēofan
- to cleave, to split
- Bordweall clufon aforan Eadweardes. Edward’s sons clove the shield-wall. (Anglo-Saxon Chronicles)
Conjugation
Conjugation of clēofan (strong class 2)
| infinitive | clēofan | tō clēofenne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative | present | past |
| 1st-person singular | clēofe | clēaf |
| 2nd-person singular | clīefest | clufe |
| 3rd-person singular | clīefeþ | clēaf |
| plural | clēofaþ | clufon |
| subjunctive | present | past |
| singular | clēofe | clufe |
| plural | clēofen | clufen |
| imperative | ||
| singular | clēof | |
| plural | clēofaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| clēofende | (ġe)clofen | |
Related terms
- clēafa
- ġeclyft
Descendants
- Middle English: cleven
- English: cleave