sittan
/ˈsit.tɑn/
The Old English word for 'sit' is sittan.
The verb refers to a person being in a position in which the upper body is upright and the legs are supported.
Meaning: of a person, be in a position in which the upper body is upright and the legs are supported (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
The word consists of two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈsit.tɑn/.
Did you know?
- The root of sittan is also found in Sanskrit as सीदति ('sīdati'), showing that the word for 'sit' has remained recognizable across thousands of miles and years.
Examples in context
- Ic wille sittan.I want to sit.
- Hē mæg hēr sittan.He may sit here.
Example conversation
Wulfrun and Osric are resting in a hall.
- WulfrunOsric, hwȳ ne sitst þū?Osric, why do you not sit?
- OsricIċ ne wille sittan.I do not want to sit.
- WulfrunHēr is gōd stede tō sittanne.Here is a good place to sit.
- OsricGēa, iċ sittan wille.Yes, I will sit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sit” translations and entries sittan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sittan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
