nyllan

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From a 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”). Cognate with Old Frisian nilla, nella (“to not want”).

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 mood present tense past tense
first person singular nylle nolde
second person singular nylt noldest
third person singular nyle nolde
plural nyllaþ noldon
subjunctive present tense past tense
singular nylle nolde
plural nyllen nolden
imperative
singular —
plural —
participle present past
nyllende —

Descendants
  • Middle English: nillen
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