Old English

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Etymology

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From Proto-Germanic *wiljinōną. Cognate with Old Norse vilna. Equivalent to willa +‎ -nian.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈwil.ni.ɑn/, [ˈwiɫ.ni.ɑn]

Verb

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wilnian

  1. to desire
    • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Chair of Saint Peter"
      ...ðā beseah hē tō Petre sumere ælmessan wilniġende...
      Then looked he towards Peter, desiring an alms,...
    • late 9th century, King Alfred's translation of Saint Augustine's Soliloquies
      Lōca nu þæt þū ofergemet ne wilnige, nū ðū hī tōgædere metest. Woldest þū cunnan God swā swā Alipius?
      Look to it now that thy desire be not beyond measure, now that thou comparest them together. Wouldst thou know God just as thou dost Alypius?

Conjugation

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Derived terms

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