besprecan
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *bisprekaną, equivalent to be- + sprecan. Cognate with Old Saxon bisprekan, Old High German bisprehhan, Old Frisian bispreka.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /beˈsprekɑn/
Verb
besprecan
- To speak about; bespeak, mention.
- To speak to, tell, plead, speak against.
- To complain, charge, accuse; beguilt, speak ill of.
Conjugation
Conjugation of besprecan (strong class 5)
| infinitive | besprecan | tō besprecenne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative | present | past |
| 1st-person singular | besprece | bespræc |
| 2nd-person singular | bespricest | besprǣce |
| 3rd-person singular | bespriceþ | bespræc |
| plural | besprecaþ | besprǣcon |
| subjunctive | present | past |
| singular | besprece | besprǣce |
| plural | besprecen | besprǣcen |
| imperative | ||
| singular | besprec | |
| plural | besprecaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| besprecende | besprecen | |
Descendants
- Middle English: bespeken, bispeken
- English: bespeak
References
- besprecan in Joseph Bosworth and T. Northcote Toller (1898) An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary