Bosworth Toller's

Anglo-Saxon

Dictionary online

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hnígan

  • verb [ strong ]
Dictionary links
Grammar
hnígan, p. hnáh; pp. hnigen
Wright's OE grammar
§325; §490;
To bend, bow down, incline, descend, decline, sink
Show examples

  • Ðonne hníge eft under lyfte helm londe neár

    then I bend again under the airy cover nearer the land,

    • Exon. 102 a;
    • Th. 386, 18;
    • Rä. 4, 63.

  • Loth ðám giestum hnáh

    Lot bowed to the guests,

    • Cd. 112;
    • Th. 147, 15;
    • Gen. 2440.

  • Hnág ic ðám secgum tó handa

    I bowed down within the reach of the men,

    • Rood Kmbl. 118;
    • Kr. 59.

  • Hnígon ðá mid heáfdum heofoncyninge tógeánes

    bent then their heads before heaven's king,

    • Cd. 13;
    • Th. 16, 1;
    • Gen. 237: 218;
    • Th. 279, 18;
    • Sat. 240: 225;
    • Th. 298, 15;
    • Sat. 533.

  • Wit noldon hnígan mid heáfdum hálgum Drihtne

    we would not bend our heads to the holy Lord,

    • 35;
    • Th. 46, 10;
    • Gen. 742: 217;
    • Th. 277, 22;
    • Sat. 208.

  • Ðá hé tó helle hnígan sceolde

    when he must sink to hell,

    • 221;
    • Th. 288, 4;
    • Sat. 375.
Etymology
[Goth. hneiwan to bend downwards, decline:
O. Sax. hnígan:
Icel. hníga to bow down, sink, fall gently;
O. H. Ger. hnígan obstipare, adorare.]
Derived forms
ge-, on-, under-hnígan, hnǽgan
Linked entries
v.  ge-hnígan.
Entry information
Citation

Bosworth, Joseph. “hnígan.” In An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary Online, edited by Thomas Northcote Toller, Christ Sean, and Ondřej Tichy. Prague: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, 2014. https://bosworthtoller.com/19369.

Checked: 2
Full form

Word-wheel

  • hnígan, v.

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