habban

Meaning

1. to have, possess

   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. have (used with a past participle to express the perfect tense)

   Þās þing wē habbaþ be him ġewriten.

   We have written these things about him.

   early 12th century, the Peterborough Chronicle

3. have to (+ to-infinitive)

   Iċ hæbbe þē tō seċġenne sum ðing

   I have to say something to you.

   The Gospel of St. Luke

4. to keep

   Ġif ġesīþcund mon fare, þonne mōt hē habban his ġerēfan mid him ⁊ his smiþ ⁊ his ċildfestran.

   If a noble man should move, then he may keep his reeve and his smith and his children's nurse with him.

   Laws of King Ine

Conjugation