wilnian

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *wiljinōną. Cognate with Old Norse vilna. Equivalent to willa +‎ -nian.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈwil.ni.ɑn/, [ˈwiɫ.ni.ɑn]

Verb

wilnian

1. to desire
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Chair of Saint Peter"

     ...ðā beseah hē tō Petre sumere ælmessan wilniġende...

     Then looked he towards Peter, desiring an alms,...

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

     Lōca nu þæt þū ofergemet ne wilnige, nū ðū hī tōgædere metest. Woldest þū cunnan God swā swā Alipius?

     Look to it now that thy desire be not beyond measure, now that thou comparest them together. Wouldst thou know God just as thou dost Alypius?

2. to ask for
   • late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans

     Þā, æfter þǣm þe Cartainiense ġeflīemde wǣron, hīe wilnedon friþes tō Regule.

     Then, after the Carthaginians were driven away, they asked Regulus for peace

Conjugation

Conjugation of wilnian (weak class 2)

infinitive	wilnian	wilnienne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	wilniġe	wilnode
second person singular	wilnast	wilnodest
third person singular	wilnaþ	wilnode
plural	wilniaþ	wilnodon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	wilniġe	wilnode
plural	wilniġen	wilnoden
imperative
singular	wilna
plural	wilniaþ
participle	present	past
	wilniende	(ġe)wilnod

Derived terms

• ġewilnian
• wilnung