scelfan
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *skelbaną, possibly from from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“to split, cleave”), and therefore related to Old English sċylfe (shelf) Cognate with Old Norse skjálfa.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈʃel.fɑn/, [ˈʃeɫ.vɑn]
Verb
sċelfan
- to shake, quiver, totter
- On ðyssum stapelum sceall ǣlc cynestōl standan mid rihte on cristenre þēode, and āwācie heora ǣnig, sōna se stōl scylfþ [...] āwācie se cristendōm, sōna scylfþ se cynedōm
- on these pillars shall every throne stand with law in the Christian nation, and any of them may weaken, then shall the throne shake, if Christendom may weaken, then shall the kingdom shake
Conjugation
Conjugation of sċelfan (strong class 3)
| infinitive | sċelfan | sċelfenne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative | present | past |
| 1st-person singular | sċelfe | sċealf |
| 2nd-person singular | sċilfst | sċulfe |
| 3rd-person singular | sċilfþ | sċealf |
| plural | sċelfaþ | sċulfon |
| subjunctive | present | past |
| singular | sċelfe | sċulfe |
| plural | sċelfen | sċulfen |
| imperative | ||
| singular | sċelf | |
| plural | sċelfaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| sċelfende | (ġe)sċolfen | |
Synonyms
- cweċċan
- hrisian
- sċeacan
- tealtrian
- sċūdan
Descendants
- Middle English: shelfen