feormian

Old English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfe͜or.mi.ɑn/, [ˈfe͜orˠ.mi.ɑn]

Etymology 1

From earlier *feorbian, *furbian, from Proto-West Germanic *furbēn (“to polish, clean”). Not related to Etymology 2, though likely influenced by it. See also Old High German furbjan, Middle High German vürben, Old French forbir.

Alternatively, related to Old High German āfermī (“uncleanness, filth”).

Verb

feormian

1. to cleanse, scour, furbish

Conjugation

Conjugation of feormian (weak class 2)

infinitive	feormian	feormienne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	feormiġe	feormode
second person singular	feormast	feormodest
third person singular	feormaþ	feormode
plural	feormiaþ	feormodon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	feormiġe	feormode
plural	feormiġen	feormoden
imperative
singular	feorma
plural	feormiaþ
participle	present	past
	feormiende	(ġe)feormod

Derived terms

• feormiend
• unfeormiġende
• āfeormian
• ġefeormian

 

Related terms

• fiermþ
• firm
• orfeormness
• orfirme

 

Descendants

• Middle English: fermen, feermen, feormen, ferme
  • English: farm (dialectal)

Etymology 2

Equivalent to feorm (“entertainment, feast, food”) +‎ -ian.

Verb

feormian

1. to entertain, receive (as a guest); to feast
2. to harbour, support, sustain, foster, feed
3. to cherish, benefit, profit
4. to feed on, consume, devour

Conjugation

Conjugation of feormian (weak class 2)

infinitive	feormian	feormienne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	feormiġe	feormode
second person singular	feormast	feormodest
third person singular	feormaþ	feormode
plural	feormiaþ	feormodon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	feormiġe	feormode
plural	feormiġen	feormoden
imperative
singular	feorma
plural	feormiaþ
participle	present	past
	feormiende	(ġe)feormod

Derived terms

• feormere
• feormiend
• feormung
• ġefeormian

Related terms

• feormfultum
• feormiendlēas
• feormehām
• fiermþ

Descendants

• → Anglo-Norman: fermen
  • → Middle English: fermen
    • English: farm
    • Scots: ferm, fairm, farm
• →? Old Saxon: formon (“to help, protect”)
• →? Old High German: formōn (“to care for, nurse, foster, aid, benefit”)