nyllan

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Old English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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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

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  • IPA(key): /ˈnyl.lɑn/, [ˈnyɫ.ɫɑn]

Verb

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nyllan

  1. negation of willan: to not want, not intend, etc.
    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
      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

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Descendants

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  • Middle English: nillen