Old English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Equivalent to ā- +‎ smēaġan.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ɑːˈsmæ͜ɑː.jɑn/

Verb edit

āsmēaġan

  1. to look into closely, investigate
  2. to consider, ponder
    • c. 992, Ælfric, "The Nativity of St. Clement the Martyr"
      Wén is þæt eower sum cweðe to him sylfum on stillum geðohtum, Hwæt forleton has gebroðru, Petrus and Andreas, þe for nean nán ðing næfdon? ac we sceolon on þisum ðinge heora gewilnunge swiðor āsmēaġan þonne heora gestreon.
      It is to be expected that one of you in his still thoughts say to himself, What did the brothers, Peter and Andrew, leave, who had almost nothing? but in this case we should rather consider their desire than their possession.
  3. to find out by investigating, devise
  4. to deem, judge

Conjugation edit

Derived terms edit

References edit