scelfan

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Old English

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Etymology

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From Proto-Germanic *skelbaną, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (to split, cleave), and therefore related to Old English sċylfe (shelf) Cognate with Old Norse skjálfa.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈʃel.fɑn/, [ˈʃeɫ.vɑn]

Verb

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sċelfan

  1. to shake, quiver, totter
    On ðyssum stapelum sceall ǣlc cynestōl standan mid rihte on cristenre þēode, and āwācie heora ǣnig, sōna se stōl scylfþ [...] āwācie se cristendōm, sōna scylfþ se cynedōm
    on these pillars shall every throne stand with law in the Christian nation, and any of them may weaken, then shall the throne shake, if Christendom may weaken, then shall the kingdom shake

Conjugation

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Synonyms

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