wæcnan
The Old English phrase for "wake up" is wæcnan.
This verb is used to describe the act of becoming awake.
Meaning: to (become) awake (verb)
Did you know?
- While 'wake up' implies a transition to being awake, the root of wæcnan is shared with words meaning 'to be watchful' or 'to be vigilant'.
- The spelling of wæcnan uses the character æ, which represents a sound between 'a' and 'e' that disappeared from standard English spelling.
- The structure of wæcnan differs from the modern English phrasal verb 'wake up', as Old English used single verbs for these actions.
Examples in context
- Þæt folc awæcnan sceal þurh gebedu.The people must awaken through prayers.
- Þonne ic awace, ic gā þǣr hit mē līcað.When I wake up, I'll go wherever I please.
- Ne mæg mon his gebedu mid slǣpe gewyrcan, ac his heortan sceal wæcnan.One cannot perform his prayers with sleep, but his heart must awaken.
- Hie sculon æfter reste wæcnan.They must wake up after rest.
Example conversation
Mildryth is waking Godric up in the morning.
- MildrythGodric, onwæcn nū!Godric, wake up now!
- GodricIc ne wille wæcnan.I do not want to wake up.
- MildrythHit is nū dæg.It is daytime now.
- GodricIc onwæcne nū, Mildryth.I am waking up now, Mildryth.
