næfre
The Old English word for "never" is næfre.
næfre is an adverb meaning "at no time".
Meaning: at no time (adv)
Did you know?
- The word næfre shares a deep linguistic ancestor with the Latin word 'aevum', meaning 'eternity' or 'age'.
- In Old English poetry, næfre was often used to emphasize the permanence of death or the absolute nature of a fate.
- The second half of the word, æfre, shares an ancient connection to the concept of 'eternity' or 'age-old' time.
Examples in context
- Soðfæstne man and unscyldigne ne acwele ðu þone næfre.Never kill a truthful and innocent man.Tatoeba #13907019 by opalandwoof, translation #13907022 by opalandwoof
- Nǣfre ne ēode sēo sunne under þǣre eorþanThe sun never went beneath the earth
- Næfre wæs ic þær.I was never there.
Example conversation
Two siblings discuss a mysterious forest.
- ÆthelstanWilt þū gān tō þǣm wuda?Do you want to go to the wood?
- ÆthelflædNe gā ic nǣfre þider.I will never go there.
- ÆthelstanHwȳ is ðæt, Æthelflæd?Why is that, Æthelflæd?
- ÆthelflædÞǣr is tō micel frēcennes.There is too much danger there.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
