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
DER. ge-, on-, under-hnígan; and see 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.

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Full form

Word-wheel

  • hnígan, v.

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