eldertongue

Old English · verb

friþian

Part of speech
verb
Verb class
weak class 2
IPA
/ˈfri.θi.ɑn/
[ˈfri.ði.ɑn]
Syllables
ˈfri · θi · ɑn (3 syllables)
Modern English
keep the peacedefendprotectimmunitysanctityinstitution

Meaning

  1. to protect, defend

    Oft iċ beġīne þæt mē onġēan sticað, þonne iċ hnītan sċeal, hringum gyrded, hearde wið heardum, hindan þȳrel, forð āsċūfan þæt mīnes frēan mōd freoþað middelnihtum.

    Oft I swallow that pricks me again, then I should strike, girded by rings, toughly against hard ones, stabbed from behind, shove forth that shields mind-mirth of my lord at midnights.

    c. 980, Exeter Book Riddle 91:

  2. to keep the peace for somebody or an institution

  3. to keep the sanctity of a holy day

  4. to grant immunity to a criminal

  5. to give asylum to somebody

Conjugation

Conjugation of friþian
PresentPast
Indicative
1st singular friþiġefriþode
2nd singular friþastfriþodest
3rd singular friþaþfriþode
Plural friþiaþfriþodon
Subjunctive
Singular friþiġefriþode
Plural friþiġenfriþoden
Non-finite forms of friþian
Form
Infinitive friþian
Inflected infinitive friþienne
Imperative singular friþa
Imperative plural friþiaþ
Present participle friþiende
Past participle friþodġefriþod

All forms (15)

Etymology

Equivalent to friþ + -ian.

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