Bosworth Toller's

Anglo-Saxon

Dictionary online

BIFIAN

  • verb [ weak ]
Dictionary links
Grammar
BIFIAN, bifigan, byfian, beofian; p. ode; pp. od
Wright's OE grammar
§536;
To tremble, shake, be moved; tremere, contremere, commoveri
Show examples
  • Drihten besihþ eorþan and déþ hýg bifian

    Dominus respicit terram et facit eam tremere,

      Ps. Lamb. 103, 32 : Rood Kmbl. 72; Kr. 36.
  • He, bifiende, feóll to Iohannes fótum

    he, trembling, fell at John's feet,

      Ælfc. T. 37, 10 : Cd. 92; Th. 118, 25; Gen. 1970.
  • Ic bifige

    tremo,

      Ælfc. Gr. 35; Som. 38, 8.
  • Eorþe [eorþan MS.] bifode

    terra tremuit,

      Ps. Spl. 75, 8 : Rood Kmbl. 83; Kr. 42.
  • Ða wudas bifodon

    the woods shook,

      Bt. 35, 6; Fox 168, 8.
Etymology
[O. Sax. biƀón : Frs. bibbe, bibje : O. Frs. beva : Dut. beven : Ger. beben : M. H. Ger. biben : O. H. Ger. bibén : Dan. bäve : Swed. bäfwa : O. Nrs. bifast : Lat. pavere : Grk. φέβομαι : Sansk. bhī to fear.]
Derived forms
DER. a-bifian.
Linked entries
v.  a-bifian bifgende bifigan beofian.
Full form

Word-wheel

  • BIFIAN, v.