bifian
Old English
Alternative forms
- biofian, beofian
Etymology
From Proto-West Germanic *bibēn.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈbi.fi.ɑn/, [ˈbi.vi.ɑn]
Verb
bifian
- to tremble, shake
- c. 992, Ælfric, "Likewise of Saint Peter"
- Hēo fēoll bifiġendu tō þæs Hǣlendes fōtum.
- She fell trembling at Jesus' feet.
- c. 990, Wessex Gospels, Matthew 27:51
- Þæs temples wāgrift wearþ tōsliten on twēġen dǣlas fram ufeweardum oþ niðeweard, and sēo eorðe bifode, and stānas tōburston.
- The curtain of the temple was torn in half from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and rocks split open.
- c. 992, Ælfric, "Likewise of Saint Peter"
Conjugation
Conjugation of bifian (weak class 2)
| infinitive | bifian | bifienne |
|---|---|---|
| indicative mood | present tense | past tense |
| first person singular | bifiġe | bifode |
| second person singular | bifast | bifodest |
| third person singular | bifaþ | bifode |
| plural | bifiaþ | bifodon |
| subjunctive | present tense | past tense |
| singular | bifiġe | bifode |
| plural | bifiġen | bifoden |
| imperative | ||
| singular | bifa | |
| plural | bifiaþ | |
| participle | present | past |
| bifiende | (ġe)bifod | |
Derived terms
- beofung
- bifiġendlīċ
Descendants
- Middle English: bivien, beovien, buvien; befien, byfien, beovien
- English: bive
- ⇒ Middle English: biveren, bevere, beveren
- English: bever, bibber (Irish)
- Scots: bever, baiver, baver, bevver
- Yola: bebber