hnossian

Old English

Etymology

Perhaps related to Old Norse hnoss (“ornament”), both related to Proto-Germanic *hneupaną (“to tear”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈxnos.si.ɑn/, [ˈn̥os.si.ɑn]

Verb

hnossian

1. to strike or beat
   • 10th century, Exeter Book Riddle 5‎^[1]:

     …ac mec hnossiað homera lāfa, heardecg heoroscearp, hondweorc smiþa bītað in burgum;

     …but remains of hammers strike me, harsh edge of sharp sword, handiworks of smiths bite in boroughs;

Conjugation

Conjugation of hnossian (weak class 2)

infinitive	hnossian	hnossienne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	hnossiġe	hnossode
second person singular	hnossast	hnossodest
third person singular	hnossaþ	hnossode
plural	hnossiaþ	hnossodon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	hnossiġe	hnossode
plural	hnossiġen	hnossoden
imperative
singular	hnossa
plural	hnossiaþ
participle	present	past
	hnossiende	(ġe)hnossod

References

• Pokorny, Julius (1959) “559-63”, in Indogermanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch [Indo-European Etymological Dictionary] (in German), volume 2, Bern, München: Francke Verlag, pages 559-63