nyllan

Old English

Alternative forms

• nillan, nellan

Etymology

From a contraction of the particle ne (“not”) + willan (“to want”). The same development happened with nytan (“to not know”), nesan (“to not be”), nabban (“to not have”), and nāgan (“to not own”). Cognate with Old Frisian nilla, nella (“to not want”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈnyl.lɑn/, [ˈnyɫ.ɫɑn]

Verb

nyllan

1. negation of willan: to not want, not intend, etc.

   Iċ nolde forlǣtan, ac iċ wisse þæt iċ belīfan ne meahte.

   I didn't want to leave, but I knew I couldn't stay.

   • The Life of Saint Margaret

     Iċ nylle nān word mā of þīnum mūðe ġehīeran.

     I don't want to hear one more word out of your mouth.

2. to refuse

Conjugation

Conjugation of nyllan (irregular)

infinitive	nyllan	nyllenne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	nylle	nolde
second person singular	nylt	noldest
third person singular	nyle	nolde
plural	nyllaþ	noldon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	nylle	nolde
plural	nyllen	nolden
imperative
singular	—
plural	—
participle	present	past
	nyllende	—

Descendants

• Middle English: nillen
  • English: nill