scelfan

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *skelbaną, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“to split, cleave”), and therefore related to Old English sċylfe (shelf) Cognate with Old Norse skjálfa.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃel.fɑn/, [ˈʃeɫ.vɑn]

Verb

sċelfan

1. to shake, quiver, totter

   On ðyssum stapelum sceall ǣlc cynestōl standan mid rihte on cristenre þēode, and āwācie heora ǣnig, sōna se stōl scylfþ [...] āwācie se cristendōm, sōna scylfþ se cynedōm

   on these pillars shall every throne stand with law in the Christian nation, and any of them may weaken, then shall the throne shake, if Christendom may weaken, then shall the kingdom shake

Conjugation

Conjugation of sċelfan (strong class 3)

infinitive	sċelfan	sċelfenne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	sċelfe	sċealf
second person singular	sċilfst	sċulfe
third person singular	sċilfþ	sċealf
plural	sċelfaþ	sċulfon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	sċelfe	sċulfe
plural	sċelfen	sċulfen
imperative
singular	sċelf
plural	sċelfaþ
participle	present	past
	sċelfende	(ġe)sċolfen

Synonyms

• cweċċan
• hrisian
• sċeacan
• tealtrian
• sċūdan