Referring to an unspecified, or as yet unspecified, member of a class or representative of a type; -- (a) as the first unit in a noun phrase [the usual construction]; (b) before an adj. modifying a……
In verbs inherited from OE:(a) From OE ā-: a-biden, a-breken, a-fallen, a-reren, a-risen, a-senden, a-waken, a-winnen, and many others. (b) From OE on-: a-biden (also an-biden), ppl. a-knoue(n (also……
Only in the phrases: drauen (oneself) adrigh, go away or aside, withdraw (?orig., go to a suitable or safe distance); holden (oneself) adrigh, stay away.
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(a) In many pr.ppls. taken from OF, e.g. abound-a(u)nt, appar-a(u)nt, ard-a(u)nt, arrog-a(u)nt, charge-a(u)nt, ramp-aunt, -and, etc.; (b) in a number of nouns (orig. ppls.) adopted from OF, as……
(a) Back or away from something; to the rear, back, backwards; drawen ayen, ten ayen, draw back, withdraw; holden ayen, hold back, check, restrain; putten ayen, set or thrust back or away; turnen……
Of persons and animals: (a) strong, sturdy, robust; big of bones, of sturdy build; big in armes, strong-armed; of big strengthe, powerful; (b) full-grown, big; (c) stout-hearted, courageous, fierce……
Of things: to be needed, required, requisite, or necessary; -- (a) alone or with inf. phrase; (b) with personal obj. (dat.) or to phrase; hem bihoveth water, they need water; lothe childe bihoveth……
him (etc.) birth: (a) with respect to circumstances, destiny, etc.: he is constrained or compelled (to do or suffer sth.), he must; biren nede(s, he must of necessity (do sth.); biren dien, he must……
To think, reflect, meditate, ponder; bithinken right, wel, think hard or carefully; -- usually refl.; -- (a) alone; (b) with of, on, to, upon phrase.
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(a) A flame, a blaze; blase of fire; tenden blase, setten on blase, set on fire; ben on blase, be on fire, burn; (b) a firebrand, torch, beacon; (c) a blaze of light.
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(a) To mix or blend (two things or one thing with another); blenden samme, blenden togeder; blenden among, blenden with; (b) to intersperse; suffuse; (c) to penetrate (sth.); immerse (in sth.); engulf……