sceawian

Meaning

1. to watch or look at

   On ōðre wīsan wē sċēawiaþ mētinge and on ōðre wīsan stafas. Ne gǣþ nā māre tō mētinge būtan þæt þū hit ġesēo and herie. Nis nā ġenōg þæt þū stafas sċēawiġe būtan þū hīe ēac rǣde and þæt andġiet understande.

   We look at pictures in one way and letters in another. You don't do anything with a painting except see it and praise it. Looking at letters is not enough unless you also read them and understand the meaning.

   c. 992, Ælfric, "Midlent Sunday"

2. to examine, scrutinize

   Mīne ġebroðra, behealdað ēowere ðēawas, and ġif ġē ġȳt Godes wyrhtan sind, sċeawiað.

   My brothers, behold your conduct, and examine if you are yet God's workers.

   Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church

3. to show (+accusative)

   ...Gyf ðū ēnigne gōdne heorde hæbbe þe wel cunne healdan þæt þæt þū gestrēone and him befæste, scēawa hyne me;

   ...If thou have any good steward that can well hold that which thou gettest and committest unto him, show him to me;...

   late 9th century, King Alfred's translation of Saint Augustine's Soliloquies

Conjugation