cliwen

cliwen

Old English

Alternative forms

• cliƿen

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *kliuwiną.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkliːwen/

Noun

clīwen n

1. ball, sphere

   Platōn cwæþ þæt Sċieppend worhte þās weorold on clīwenes hīwe.

   Plato said that the Creator made this world in the shape of a ball.

   • 9th century, Bald's Leechbook vol. I

     Mintan wel ġetrifulode menġ wiþ huniġ, wyrċ tō lȳtlum clīwene, lǣt forswelgan.

     Mix well-ground mint with honey, make it into a little ball, have it swallowed.

Declension

Declension of cliwen (strong a-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	clīwen	clīwenu
accusative	clīwen	clīwenu
genitive	clīwenes	clīwena
dative	clīwene	clīwenum

Descendants

• Middle English: clewe, clew, clewen, clowe, clue, clwe, clyw, clywe
  • English: clew, clue
  • Scots: clew, cloo, clue