Old English · noun

hæfen

Part of speech: noun, feminine
Declension: strong ō-stem
IPA: /ˈxæ.fen/
[ˈhæ.ven]
Syllables: ˈxæ · fen (2 syllables)
Modern English: ownership sheltered haven possession have port harbour inlet

hæfen1 · noun · feminine

Senses

Possession; ownership
Property, possessions.

Declension · strong ō-stem

Declension of hæfen
	Singular	Plural
Nominative	hæfen	hæfena hæfene
Accusative	hæfene	hæfena hæfene
Genitive	hæfene	hæfena
Dative	hæfene	hæfenum

hæfen2 · noun · feminine

Senses

(sheltered) inlet; harbour, port

Declension · strong ō-stem

Declension of hæfen
	Singular	Plural
Nominative	hæfen	hæfena hæfene
Accusative	hæfene	hæfena hæfene
Genitive	hæfene	hæfena
Dative	hæfene	hæfenum

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Germanic *habīniz; equivalent to habban (“to have”) + -en (abstract deverbal suffix).

As this word is only attested beginning in the 11th century and displays /a/ even in Middle English dialects where Old English /æ/ develops into /ɛ/, it is likely borrowed from Old Norse hǫfn, though inheritance from Proto-West Germanic *habanu cannot be ruled out. Both potential etymons are from Proto-Germanic *habnō, *habanō, itself from Proto-Indo-European *kap-.

Descendants

have, haven

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