gearcian

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *garwakōn, from Proto-Germanic *garwakōną (“to prepare, supply”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈjæ͜ɑr.ki.ɑn/, [ˈjæ͜ɑrˠ.ki.ɑn]

Verb

ġearcian

1. to prepare, supply, make ready
   • c. 992, Ælfric, "The First Sunday in the Lord's Advent"

     Uton forði us ġearcian mid þisum foresædum reafum, be ðæs apostoles mynegunge, þæt we to ðære wundorlican gebyrd-tide ures Drihtnes mid freolslicere ðenunge becumon, þam sy wuldor and lóf á on ecnysse. Amen.

     Let us then prepare ourselves with these before-said garments, according to the apostle's admonition, that we may come to the wonderful birth-tide of our Lord with solemn service, to whom be glory and praise ever to eternity. Amen.

   • c. 992, Ælfric, "The Assumption of St. John the Apostle"

     Ða het se apostol ða bære settan, and cwæð, "Min Drihten, Hælend Crist! Arære ðe, Drusiana; aris, and ġecyrr hām, and ġearca ús gereordunge on þinum hūse." Drusiana þa arás swilce of slæpe awreht, and, carfull be ðæs apostoles hæse, hām gewende.

     Then the apostle bade them set down the bier, and said, "My Lord, Jesus Christ! Raise thee, Drusiana; arise, and return home, and prepare refection for us in thy house." Drusiana then arose as if from sleep awakened, and, mindful of the apostle's command, returned home.

Conjugation

Conjugation of ġearcian (weak class 2)

infinitive	ġearcian	ġearcienne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	ġearciġe	ġearcode
second person singular	ġearcast	ġearcodest
third person singular	ġearcaþ	ġearcode
plural	ġearciaþ	ġearcodon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	ġearciġe	ġearcode
plural	ġearciġen	ġearcoden
imperative
singular	ġearca
plural	ġearciaþ
participle	present	past
	ġearciende	(ġe)ġearcod

Descendants

• Middle English: yerken
  • English: yerk, jerk (probably)