nyllan

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

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”).

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 present past
1st-person singular nylle nolde
2nd-person singular nylt noldest
3rd-person singular nyle nolde
plural nyllaþ noldon
subjunctive present past
singular nylle nolde
plural nyllen nolden
imperative
singular —
plural —
participle present past
nyllende —

Descendants
  • Middle English: nillen
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