understandan

Old English

Alternative forms

• understondan

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *understandan, from Proto-Germanic *understandaną (“to stand between, stand in the midst, understand”), from *under (“between, among”), *standaną (“to stand”). Akin to Old Frisian understanda, understonda (Saterland Frisian unnerstounde), Old Norse undirstanda (Middle Danish understande). Equivalent to under- +‎ standan.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌun.derˈstɑn.dɑn/

Verb

understandan (West Saxon)

1. to understand
2. to accept as correct
3. to observe, notice, consider

Usage notes

This verb was used primarily in late West Saxon, and is almost entirely absent in the Anglian dialects. There, other synonyms were preferred, primarily onġietan.

Conjugation

Conjugation of understandan (strong class 6)

infinitive	understandan	understandenne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	understande	understōd
second person singular	understenst, understentst	understōde
third person singular	understent	understōd
plural	understandaþ	understōdon
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	understande	understōde
plural	understanden	understōden
imperative
singular	understand
plural	understandaþ
participle	present	past
	understandende	understanden

Synonyms

• forstandan
• onġietan

Derived terms

• understandennes
• understanding

Descendants

• Middle English: understanden, understonden
  • English: understand
  • Scots: understand, onderstand
  • Yola: understhoane