cunnian

Meaning

1. to experience, learn to know

   wēman mid wynnum. · Wāt sē þe cunnað, hū slīþen bið · sorg tō ġefēran, þām þe him lȳt hafað · lēofra ġeholena.

   or friendless me would soothe, allure with glees. Knows the one who undergoes, how tough is sorrow as a companion, to whom little has dear confidants for himself.

   oþþe mec frēondlēasne · frēfran wolde,

2. to explore, find out, investigate

3. to try, test

   ...and hē lēop sona cunniġende his feðes hwæðer hē cūðe gān.

   and he leapt up immediately, trying his power of motion, whether he could walk.

   late 10th century, Ælfric, "Chair of Saint Peter"

Conjugation