þearf

Old English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /θæ͜ɑrf/, [θæ͜ɑrˠf]

Etymology 1

From Proto-West Germanic *þarbu.

Noun

þearf f

1. need (+ genitive = "for" something)
2. hardship, privation

Declension

Declension of þearf (strong ō-stem)

Case	Singular	Plural
nominative	þearf	þearfa, þearfe
accusative	þearfe	þearfa, þearfe
genitive	þearfe	þearfa
dative	þearfe	þearfum

Derived terms

• firenþearf (“dire hardship”)
• sāwolþearf

Descendants

• Middle English: thearf, therf

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Verb

þearf

1. first/third-person singular present of þurfan