Old English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Alternation of wixlan, from Proto-West Germanic *wihslijan, *wihslōn, from Proto-Germanic *wihslijaną, *wihslōną (to change), from Proto-Indo-European *weyḱ- (to change). Cognate with Old Frisian wixlia, Old Saxon wehsalōn, Old High German wehsalōn (German wechseln). More at wrixle.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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wrixlan

  1. (poetic) to change
    • 10th century, Exeter Book Riddle 8[1]:
      Iċ þurh mūþ sprece mongum reordum, wrenċum singe, wrixle ġeneahhe hēafodwōþe,…
      I speak with many voices through mouth, sing melodies, change abundantly my main song,…
  2. to exchange, barter
  3. to reciprocate
  4. to lend

Conjugation

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Descendants

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  • Middle English: wrixlen