The vocabulary of Englisc during the Anglo-Saxon period (from 449 through 1066 AD) 
was mostly Germanic in origin, 
with reluctant borrowings from Latin, Greek, Celtic, Scandinavian, and French. 

Many words had a single syllable, and compounding was a common practice. 
Most words with more than one syllable were characterized by a stress accent on the first syllable. 

Most of the Old English words are no longer in use. 
Replacements, mostly from French and Latin, now represent about 70% of the vocabulary. 
Yet, the relatively small core of those old Anglo-Saxon words that Fowler would have us prefer 
still do more than their share of the work. 

Here are a few of those Saxeon words that have survived, 
often with interesting changes in meaning. 

In this listing, the modern spelling is followed by the Old English [spelling, meaning] 
and an occasional comment. 

Guides for orthography & pronunciation and verbs are provided as an aid in understanding 

http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/words/sax.htm10/10/09 7:10 PM 

A 

a 
abaft adv. [on be-¾ftan, behind < on, on, at + be, by + ¾ftan, behind] A nautical term. 
abide v. [abidan, await] 
abode n. [abad, abode] 
about adv. [abutan, about, around < a, on + butan outside] 
above adv. [onbufan, above] 
acre n. [¾cer, cultivated field] 
(a)n adder n. [n¾dre, snake, serpent] 
addle v. [adela, liquid filth] 
adz n. [adesa, adz] 
after prep. [¾fter, after, according to, behind] 
again adv. [ongeon, again] 
alder n. [alor, alder] 
alderman n. [ealdorman , nobleman, ruler < eald, old, ancient] 
ale n. [ealu, ale] 
alive adj. [on life, in life] 
all adj. [eall, all] 
allay v. [alecgan, allay < a, away + lecgan, lay] 
allow v. [alyfan, permit, allow] 
almighty adj. [¾lmihtig, almighty] 
alms n. [¾lmesse, alms] A Latin borrowing (eleemosyna). 
along adv. [andlang, continuous, extended] 
always adv. [aelne weg, always] 
amid prep. [onmiddan, in the middle of] 
among prep. [on gemonge, in the crowd] 
an adj. [an, a, an, one, only] 
and conj. [ond, and] 
angle n. [angel, fishhook] 
answer v. [andswariann, answer] 
answer n. [andswarun, answer] 
ant n. [¾mete, ant] 
anthem n. [antefn, anthem] A Latin borrowing (antiphona). 
any adj. [¾nig, any] 
ape n. [apa, ape] 
apple n. [¾ppel, fruit, apple; also, eyeball, anything round] 
are v. [aron, are] See the verb to be.
arise v. [arisan, arise] 
ark n. [arc, chest] A Latin borrowing (arc). 
arrow n. [earh, arwe, arrow] 
arm n. [earm, arm] A Latin borrowing, armus, shoulder 
as prep. [ealswa, entirely so, just so] 
ash n. [¾sce, asce, ash (residue)] 
ash n. [¾sc, ash (tree)] 
ask v. [ascian, ask] 
(a)sunder adv. [sundor, apart] 
at prep. [¾t, at, from] 
awaken v. [aweccan, awaken, arouse] 
awe n. [ege, fear, terror] 
awl n. [awel, awl] 
ax n. [¾x, ax] 

b 
back n. [b¾c, back] 
bake v. [bacan, bake] 
bale n. [bealo, harm, injury, ruin] 
balk n. [balca, balk] 
ban v. [bannan, proclaim ] 
bane n. [bana, slayer, kiler] 
bare adj. [b¾r, bare] 
bark v. [beorcan, to make the sharp, abrupt cry of a dog] 
bark n. [barc, bark or rind].But not the the boat! 
barley n [b¾rlic, of barley < bere barley + ic -ly] 
barn n. [bern, contraction from berern< bere, barley + ¾rn, a place for storage] 
barrow n. [barwe, basket, barrow< beran, bear] 
barrow n. [beorg, hill] 
barrow n. [bearg, pig] 
bass n. [b¾rs, bass (fish)] 
bat n. [batt, cudgel] But not the mammal! 
bath n. [b¾¥, bath] 
bathe v. [ba¥ian, bath] 
be v. [beon, am, is; stay, remain; occurs, is there] See details of the verb "to be". 
beacon n. [beacen, sign portent, symbol] 
bead n. [gebed, prayer, later a rosary bead] 
beam n. [beam, a tree, piece of wood, log, column, cross] 
bean n. [bean, bean ] 
bear v. [beran, bear, carry, bring ] 
bear n. [bera, " The brown one"] 
beard n. [beard, beard] 
beat v. [beatan, beat, ound] 
beaver, n. [beofer, beaver] 
become v. [becuman, come] 
bed n. [bedd, bed] 
bee n. [beo, insect of the species Apis] 
beech n. [bece, beech] 
beetle n. [bitula, beetle (insect) < bitan, bite] 
beetle n. [bietel, mallet] 
befall v. [bef(e)llan, fall] 
before prep. [biforan, in front of] 
begin v. [beginnian, begin] 
behold v. [behealdan, behold, gaze at, watch over] 
behove v. [behofian, behove] 
belay v. [belecgan, belay] A nautical term. 
belch v. [belcian, belch] 
(be)leaf n. [leafa, belief] 
belie v. [beleogan, belie] 
bell b. [belle, bell] 
bellows n. [belg, bag] 
belly n. [bielg, bellows, leather bag] 
(be)long v. [longian, go along with] 
belt n. [belt, belt] 
bemoan v. [bem¾nan, bemaon] 
beneath adv. [beneothan, beneath] 
bench n. [benc, bench] Akin to bank. 
bend v. [bendan, bend] 
bent n. [beonet, bent (grass)] 
bequeath v. [becwean, bequeath]* 
bereave v. [bereafian, bereave] 
berry n. [berie, berry] 
(be)seech v. [secan, seek] 
beset v. [besettan, beset] 
beside adv. [be sidan, by the side of] 
besmear v. [besmieran, besmear] 
bespeak v. [besprecan, bespeak] 
best adj. [betst, best] 
bestir v. [bestyrian, bestir] 
bestrew v. [bestreowian, bestrew] 
bestride v. [bestridan, bestride] 
bethink v. [beencan, bethink]* 
betide v. [bitiden, betide] 
better adj. [betera, better] 
between prep. [bitweonum, bitweon, between < bi, by + tweonum, tweon, both < two, two] 
(be)ware v. [w¾r, cautious] 
(be)witch v. [wicce, witch] 
beyond prep. [begeondan, beyond < be, near + geondan, yonder] 
bid v. [biddan, bid, ask] 
bide v. [bidan, await] 
bier n. [b¾r, bier] 
bight n. [byht, bight] 
bill n. [bile, bill (bird's)] 
bill(hook) n. [bill, billhook] 
bin n. [binn, basket] 
bind v. [bindan, bind] 
binder n. [bindere, binder] 
birch n. [birce, birch] 
bird n. [brid, bird, especially a young bird] 
bishop n. [biscop, bishop, high priest] 
bit n. [bita, bit < bitan, bite] A small part. 
bit n. [bite, bit < bitan, bite] A tool for boring. 
bitch b. [bicce, female dog] 
bite v. [bitan, bite] 
bite n. [bite, bite, cut] 
bitter adj. [biter, bitter, grim, fierce] 
black adj. [bl¾c, the darkest color] 
bladder n. [bl¾dre, bladder] 
blade n. [bl¾d, blade] 
blast n. [bl¾st, blow] 
blaze v. [bl¾se, blaze] But not the verb! 
bleach v. [bl¾can, bleach] 
bleat v. [bl¾tan, bleat] 
bleed v. [bledan, bleed] 
blench v. [blencan, deceive] 
bless v. [bledsian, to consecrate (with blood) EM>blod, blood] 
blind adj. [blind, blind] 
bliss n. [blis, bliss, joy, happiness]* 
blithe adj. [bli¥e, friendly, cheerful] 
blood n. [blod, blood] 
bloom n. [bloma, bloom] The lump of net, not the flower! 
blow v. [blawan, blow] 
blow n. [blaw, blow] 
blush v. [blyscan, redden] 
boar n. [bar, boar] 
board n.[bord, board, side of a ship] 
boat n. [bat, boat] 
boatswain n. [batswegen, boatswain] 
bode v. [bodian, preach, announce] 
body n.[bodig, body] 
boil n. [byl, boil] The sore. 
bold adj. [bald, bold] 
bone n. [ban, bone] 
bolster n. [bolster, pillow] 
book n. [boc, book] 
book-craft n. [boccr¾ft, literature, scholarship] 
bosom n. [bosm, bosom] 
blow v. [blawan, blow] 
boar, n [bar, wild boar] 
boat n [bat, boat] 
book n. (boc, a writing, record, book.] 
boot (compensation) n. [bot, remedy] 
bore v. [borian, bore] 
borough n.[burg, stronghold, enclosure] 
borrow v. [borgian, borrow] 
bosom n. [bosm, bosom] 
bottom n. [bottom, bottom] 
bough n. [bog, sholder, bough] 
bow n. [boga, a curve; a bend; anything bent] 
bow v.t. [bugan, to bend, turn away, flee, submit] 
bowel n. [boel, bowel] 
bower n. [bur, chamber, cottage] 
box n. [box, box] 
braid v. [bregdan, brandish, weave, braid] 
brain n. [br¾n, brain] 
brand n. [brond, burning, fire] 
brass n. [br¾s, brass] 
braze v. [brasian, braze < br¾s, brass] 
breach c. [byrce, breach] 
bread n. [bread, bit, crumb] 
breadth n. [br¾du, #] 
break v. [brecan, break] 
breast n.[breost, breast] 
breath n. [br¾, breath]* 
breathe v. [breen, breathe]* 
breech n. [brec, breech] 
breed v. [bredan, breed] 
brew v. [breowan, brew] 
bridal adj. [brydealo, wedding feast] 
bride n. [bryd, bride] 
bring v. [bregan, bring] 
bridge n. [bricg, bridge, causeway] 
bridle n. [bridel, bridle] 
brier n. [brer, briar] 
bright adj. [beorht, bryht, bright] 
bring v. [bringan, bring] 
brim n. [brim, seashore] 
brine n. [bryne, brine] 
bring v. [bringan, bring] 
bristle n. [bryst, bristle] 
broad adj.[brad, broad, wide, spacious] 
brood n. [brod, brood] 
brook n. [broc, brook] 
brook v. [brucan, enjoy, use, benefit from, eat] 
broom n. [brom, broom] 
broth n. [bro, broth]* 
brothel n. [< breothan, to ruin] 
brother n. [bro¥er, brother] 
brow n. [bru, brow] 
brown n. [brun, brown] 
bruise v. [brysan, crush] 
buck n. [bucca, he-goat] 
build v. [byldan, build] 
bull n. [bulluc, bullock] 
burst v. [berstan, burst, fall apart] 
busi(ness) n. [bysignis, occupation, concern] 
busy adj.. [bysg, busy, occupied] 
but prep.[butan, without, except, but, only] 
butter, n. [butere, butter] 
burden n. [byrten, load] 
burn v. [byrnan, burn] 
burrow n. [borow, burrow] 
burst v. [berstan, burst] 
butter n. [butere, butter] 
bury v. [byrgan, bury] 
buy v. [bycgan, buy] 
by prep. [bi, near, at] 

c 
calf n. [cealf, young cow] But not the body part. 
callow adj. [calu, bare, bald] 
can v. [cunnan, can] 
can n. [canne, cup] 
candle n. [candel, candle] A Latin borrowing. 
canon n. [canon, canon, rule] 
cap n. [c¾ppe, cap] 
capon n. [capun, capon] 
care n.[cearo, care, trouble, sorrow] 
carve v. [ceorfan, carve, hew out] 
cat n. [catte, cat] 
chaff n. [ceaf, chaff] 
chalk n. [cealc, chalk] 
chary adv. [cearig, sorrowful] 
cheap adj. [from ceap, business, trade] "Good cheap" was a bargain. 
cheek n. [ceace, cheek] 
cheese n. [ciese, cheese] 
chest n. [cest, chest] 
-chester n. [ceaster, town] As in Manchester, Winchester, etc. 
chew v. [ceowan, chew] 
chicken n. [cicen, a chicken] 
child n. [cild, an infant, baby, adolescent, offspring] 
chill, n. [ciele, a chill, cold] 
chin n. [cin, chin] 
chirk v. [cearcian, creek] 
choke v. [aceocian, choke] 
choose v. [ceosan, choose] 
church n. [circe, a church] 
churl n. [ceorl, peasant, yeoman, free man of the lowest rank] 
churn n. [cyrin, a churn] 
cinder n. [sinder, cinder] 
clap v. [cl¾ppan, clap] 
clatter n. [clatrunge, a clattering noise] 
claw n. [clawu, claw] 
clay n. [cl¾g, clay] 
clean adj. [cl¾ne, clean, pure] 
cleanse v. [cl¾nsian, cleanse] 
cleave v. [cleofan, split, cleave] Cleave, cleft (or cleaved, or clove, or clave), cleft (or 
cleaved, or cloven)! 
cleave v. [clifan, adhere, cleave] 
clench v. [beclencean, hold fast] 
clew n. [cliwen, clew] 
cliff n. [clif, clift] 
climb v. [climban, climg] 
cling v. [clingan, cling] 
clip v. [clyppan, embrace] 
clot n. [clott, lump, mass] 
cloth n. [clath, cloth] 
clothe v. [clathian, clothe] 
clothes n. [clathas, plural of cloth] 
cloud n. [clud, rocky mass, hill] 
cloudy adv. [cludig, cloudy] 
clout n. [clut, clout] 
clove n. [clufu, clove] 
clover n. [clafre, trefoil] 
cluck v. [cloccian, cluck] 
cluster n. [clyster, cluster] 
clutch v. [clyccan, grasp] 
coal n. [col, coal] 
cod n. [codd, bag] 
cock b. [coce, cock] 
cold n. [cald, cold] 
cold adj. [cald, cold] 
colt n. [colt, colt] 
comb n. [camb, comb] 
come v. [cuman, come] 
cook n. [coc, cook] 
cool v. [colian, cool] 
copper n. [coper, copper] 
corn n. [corn, corn] 
cot(tage) n. [cot, cottage] 
cough v. [cohettan, cough] 
cove n. [cofa, chamber, cave] 
cow n. [cu, cow] 
crab n. [crabba, crab] 
crack v. [cracian, crack] 
cradle n. [cradol, cradle] 
craft n. [cr¾ft, trade, skill, force] 
cram v. [crammian, cram] 
crane n. [cran, crane] 
crank n. [cranc, crank] 
creep v. [creopan, creep] 
crib n. [cribb, crib] 
cringe v. [crincgan, fall, perish] 
cripple n. [crypel, cripple] 
crisp adj. [crisp, crisp] 
crock n. [croc, crock] 
crop n. [crop, crop] 
cross n. [cros, cros] A Viking borrowing. 
crow n. [crawe, crow] 
crowd v. [crudan, crowd] 
crumb n. [cruma + b, crumb] 
crutch n. [crycc, crutch] 
cup n. [cuppe, cup] 
curse v. [cursian, curse] 
cuttle(fish) n. [cudele, cuttle(fish)] 

d 
dark adj. [deorc] 
daughter n. [dohtor, daughter] 
day n. [d¾g period of time between rising and setting of the sun] 
dead adj, [dead] 
death n. [dea¥, death] 
deal n. [d¾l, part, portion] 
deal v.i. [d¾l, share] 
deed n. [d¾d, deed] 
deep adj. [deop, deep, profound] 
deer n. [deor, wild animal] 
devil n. [deofol, devil] 
dim adj. [dim, gloomy] 
dint n. [dint, blow] 
dish n. [disc, dish] 
dive v. [dufan, dive] 
dizziness n. [dysigness, folly] 
dizzy adj. [dysig, ignorant, foolish] 
do v. [don, do, make, take] 
door n. [duru, door] 
doom n. [dom, judgement] 
doom(s)day n. [domd¾g, day of judgement] 
dream n. [dream, joy, delight] 
dreary adj. [dreorig, sad] 
drink n. [drynce, drink] 
drink v.[drincan, drink] 
drive v. [drifan, drive] 
dumb adj. [dumb, dumb] 
dust n. [dust, dust] 

e 
earl n. [eorl, nobleman] 
each pron.[¾lc, each, every] 
ear n. [eare, organ of hearing] 
earn v.t. [earnian, to earn, merit] 
earth n. [ieor¥e, the planet we live on] 
earthling n. [ier¥ling, earthling] 
east adv. [east, east] 
eat v. [etan, eat] 
edge n. [ecg, edge., sword] 
eerie adj. [earh, cowardly] 
eight num. [eathe, eight] 
either pron. [¾g¥er, each, both] 
eke v. [ycan, increase, cause to grow] 
elders n. [ieldran, elders, ancesotrs] 
end n. [ende, end] 
ere adv. [¾r before, previously] 
errand n. [¾rende, message] 
even adv. [efne, even, only] 
evening n [¾fen, evening] 
ever adv. [¾fre, forever, always, ever] 
evil n. [yfel, evil, harm] 
eye n. [eage, the organ of vision or sight] 

f 
fair adj. [f¾ger, beautiful, pleasant] 
fairness n. [f¾gernis, beauty, excellent feature] 
fall n. [fyl, fall, death] 
fall v. [feallan, fall, fall in battle] 
fallow adj. [fealu, dark, tawny] 
far adj. [feor, far] 
far adv. [feor, far] 
fare v, [faran, go, travel, advance] 
fast adj. [f¾st, fast, firm, fixed] 
fast n. [f¾sten, fast, obstain from food] 
fast v. [f¾sten, fast, obstain from food] 
fasten v. [f¾stnian, fast, establish (truce)] 
fat adj. [f¾tt, fat, rich] 
father n. [f¾der, father] 
fathom v. [f¾¥m, embrace] 
feather n. [fe¥der, feather] 
fee n.[feoh, money] 
feed v. [fedan, feed] 
feel v. [felan, feel] 
fell v. [gefellan, fell, cut down] 
ferry v. [ferian, carry] 
few pl. adj. [feawe, few] 
field n.[feld, field] 
fifty number.[fofteg, fifty] 
figleaf n. [ficleaf, a leaf from a fig plant] 
fight v. [feohtan, fight] 
fight n. [feohte, a fight, battle] 
file n. [feole, a file (for sharpening)] 
file v. [feolian, shape with a file] 
fill n. [fyllo, fill, plenty, feast] 
fill v. [fyllan, fill, satisfy] 
fill v. [gefyllan, fill, replenish] 
find v. [findan, find] Class 3 vowel gradation (find, found, found) 
finger n. [finger, finger] 
fire n. [fyr, the active principle of burning] 
first adj. [fyrst, first] 
fish n. [fisc, a fish] 
fish v.i. [fiscian, to catch or attemp to catch fish] 
fisher(man) n. [fiscere, fisherman] 
fist n. [fyst, the hand with fingers doubled into the palm] 
five number.[fif, five] 
flee v. [fleon, flee] 
flesh n. [fl¾asc, flesh] 
flight n. [flyht, flight] 
flood n. [flod, body of water, stream, tide, flowing water] 
floor n. [flor, floor] 
flow v. [flowan, flow] 
fly v. [fleogan, fly] Case 2 vowel gradation (fly, flew flowan). 
fodder n. [fodor, fodder, food] 
folk n. [folc, folk, people, nation] 
follow v. [folgian, follow] 
food n. [foda, nourishment] 
foot n. [fot, the lower extremity of the leg] 
for prep. [for, for, because of, before] 
ford n. [for, ford] 
forgive v. [forgifen, forgive] 
forgiveness v. [forgifenis, forgiveness] 
form(er) adj. [forma, first] 
form(ost) adj. [forma, first] 
four number [feower, four] 
fourteen number [feowertyne, fourteen] 
forswear n. [forswerian, make useless by a spell] 
forth adj.. [for¥, forth, forward] 
foot n. [fot, the foot] 
fowl n. [fugol, a bird] 
fox n. [fox, a fox] 
free adj. [fram, free] 
fret v. [fretan, eat up, devour] 
friend n. [freondscip, friend, lover] 
friendship n. [freondscip, friend, love] 
fright n. [fyrhtu, horror, fear] 
from prep. [fram, from] 
frost number [forst, frost] 
full adj. [full;, full, entire, completed, filled] 
further adj. [fur¥ur;, further] 

g 
game n. [gomen, entertainment, pastime, sport, mirth] 
gang n. [gang, flow] 
gar(fish) n. [gar, spear] 
gate n. [geat, gate] 
gather v. [gaderian, gather] 
gallows n. [gealga, gallows, cross] 
gem n. [gimm, gem] 
gemstone n. [gimstan, jewel] 
ghost n. [gast, spirit, soul, angel] 
ghostly adj. [gastlice, spiritually, in the spriitual sense] 
gird v. [gyrdan, gird] 
give v. [giefan, give] 
given adv. [gife¥e, given, granted by fate] 
glad adj. [gl¾d, kind, gracious] 
gladly adv. [gl¾dlice, joyfully] 
goad n. [gad, goad] 
God n. [God, supreme being] 
god n. [god, (pagan) god] 
gold n. [gold, gold] 
goldsmith n. [goldsmi¥, goldsmith] 
good adj. [god, good] 
good n. [god, good, goodness, goods] 
gospel n. [godspell, gospel] 
grave n. [g¾rf, grave] 
gray n. [gr¾g, a color that is a mixture of black and white] 
greedy adj. [gr¾dig, greedy] 
green adj. [grene, green, raw] 
greet v. [gretan, greet, approach, touch] 
grim adj. [grim, fierce] 
grind v. [grindan, grind, sharpen] 
ground n. [grund, ground, earth, bottom] 
guest n. [gyst, stranger] 

h 
hack v. [haccian, cut] 
hag n. [h¾gtes, witch] 
hail n. [h¾gl, hail (frozen rain)] 
hale adj. [hal, safe, unhurt] 
half adj. [healf, half] 
hall n. [heall, hall] 
hallow v. [halgian, consecrate] 
ham n. [hamm, ham] 
hammer n. [hamer, hammer] 
hand n. [hand, the extremity of the arm.] 
haft n. [h¾ft, handle < habban, to have, hold] 
halter n. [h¾lftre, halter] 
hair n. [h¾r, hair] 
hang v. [hangian, hang] 
hap(py) adj. [h¾p, suitable] 
hard adj. [heard, hard, resolute, bitter, fierce, brave] 
hardly adv. [heardlice, fiercely] 
hare n. [hare, a hare] 
harm n. [hearm, damage, harm, gried, sorrow] 
harp n. [hearpe, a harp] 
harry n. [hergian, ravage] 
hart n. [heorot, deer, stag] 
harvest n. [h¾feste, autumn] 
hasp n. [h¾spe, a hasp, door-fastener] 
hat n. [h¾t, hood] 
hatch n. [h¾cc, grating] 
haven n. [h¾fen, haven] 
hate v. [hatian, hate] 
have v. [habban, have, hold] 
hawk n. [hafoc, a hawk] 
hawthorn n. [hagu¥orn, hawthorn] 
hay n. [heg, hay] 
hazel n. [h¾sel, hazel] 
he pron. [he, heo, hit, he, she, it] 
head n. [h¾fod, head] 
headman n. [h¾fodman, leader] 
heal n. [h¾lan, heal, save] 
health n. [h¾lth, helath < hal, whole] 
heap n. [heap, band, troop, company] 
hear v. [hieran, obey, hearken to, hear] A class 1 strong verb. 
heart n. [heorte, heart] 
hearth n. [heorth, hearth] 
heath n. [h¾, heath] 
heat n. [hat, heat] 
heat v. [h¾tu, heat] 
heathen adj. [h¾¥en, heathen] 
heave v. [hebban, raise up, lift] A class 7 strong verb. 
heaven n. [heofon, heaven] 
heavy adj. [hefign, heavy]. 
hedge n. [hege, fence, enclosure] 
heed v. [hedan, heed] 
heel n. [hela, heel] 
heifer n. [heafore, heifer] 
height n. [hieh{th}o, height] 
hell n. [hell, hell] 
helm n. [helma, rudder] 
help n. [help, help] 
hem n. [hem, hem] 
hemlock n. [hymlice, hemlock] 
hemp n. [henep, hemp] 
hen n. [henn, hen] 
-herd n. [hyrde, gardian, keeper] As (shep)herd, (cow)herd. 
herd n. [heord, care, custody] 
here adv. [her, here] 
hereafter adv. [her¾fter, hereafter (i.e., in following words] 
herring n. [h¾ring, a herring] 
hew v. [heawan, hew, cut down, kill] 
hide n. [hyd, a hide, skin] 
hide v. [hydan, hide, hoard] 
high adj. [heah, high] 
hill n. [hyll, hill] 
hinder v. [hindrian, hinder < hinder, behind] 
hint v. [hentan, hint] 
hip n. [hype, hip (body part)] 
hip n. [heope, rose hip] 
hire n. [hyr, hire] 
hit v. [hittan, hit] 
hither adv. [hider, hither] 
hive n. [hyf, hive] 
hoard n. [hord; hoard, treasure] 
hoarse adj. [ha(r)s, hoarse] 
hoar(y) adj. [har, gray-haired] 
hock n. [hoh, heel] 
hold v. [healdan, keep, observe, hold, stand firm] A class 3 strong verb. 
hole n. [hol, hole] 
holiday n. [halig d¾g, holy day] 
holiness n. [halignes, religion] 
hollow adj. [holh, hollow] 
holly n. [holen, holly] 
holsster n. [heolstor, darkness, hiding place] 
holy adj. [halig, holy] 
holly n. [holen; holly] 
holt n. [holt; a wood, forest] 
-hood n. [had, office, order] as in (mother)hood, (child)hood 
home n. [ham, home] 
hone n. [han, stone] 
honey n. [hunig, honey] 
hoof n. [hof, hoof] 
hook n. [hoc, hook] 
hoop n. [hop, hoop] 
hop v. [hoppian, hop] 
hope n. [hopa, hope] 
horn n. [horn, animal horn] 
horse n. [hors, a horse] 
hose n. [hosa, hose] 
hot adj. [hat, hot] 
hound n. [hund, dog] 
house n. [hus, house] 
how adv. [hu, how] 
hue n. [hiw, shape, form] 
hull n. [hulu, hull] 
hundred number [hund, hundred] 
hunger n. [hungor, hunger, famine] 
hungry adj. [hungrig, hungry] 
hunt v. [huntian, hunt] 
hurdle n. [hyrdel, hurdle] 
husband n. [husbonda, husband < hus house + bonda freeholder] 

i 
ice-cold adj.[isceald, ice-cold] 
idle adj.[idel, idle, worthless,vain] 
if conj.[gif, if] 
ilk adj.[ilca, idle, same, the same] 
in prep.[in, in, into] 
in adv.[in, in] 
ire n. [yrre, anger] 
island n.[ealond, island] 
iron n.[iren, (iron) sword] 

j 
See the orthography page. 

k 
keel n. [ceol, keel, ship] 
keen adj. [cene, keen, brave] 
kin n. [cynn, kin, family, kind, race] 
kind adj. [gecynde, proper, lawful] 
kind n. [gecynd, species, origin, lineage] 
king n. [cyning, king] 
kith n[ cy¥¥, kinfolk] 
knee n. [cneo, knee] 
knight n. [cniht, boy, youth, squire, servant] 
know v. [gecnawan, understand] 

l 
ladder n. [hl¾der;, ladder] 
lair n. [heger;, bed] 
land n. [land;, land, country] 
last v. [l¾stan perform, carry out, continue, stand by, support] 
latch (onto) v. [l¾ccan capute, catch] 
laugh v. [hliehhan laugh] A Class 6 strong verb. 
laughter n. [hleahtor; laughter] 
lay v. [lecgan lay. place] 
lead v. [l¾dan lead,bring,lift] 
leap v. [hleapan leap] A Class 7 strong verb (leap, lept, lept). 
learn v. [l¾ran teach, advise] 
learn v. [leornian learn, study] 
learner n. [leornere scholar, study] 
learning n. [liornung, learning] 
least adj. [l¾st less, smaller] Superlative of lytel (little) 
leather n. [le¥er, leather] 
leave v. [l¾fan leave, bequeath] 
lent n. [lencten, the spring season] 
-less adj. [leas devoid of, withouts] As in (child)less, (home)less. 
less adv. [l¾s less] 
less adj. [l¾ssa less, smaller] Comparative of lytel (little) 
let v. [l¾t leet, allow] 
lewd v. [l¾wde unlearned] 
life n. [lif life] 
like adj. [gelice like] 
like v. [lician please] 
light n. [leoht, light] 
limb n. [lim, limb] 
lime n. [lim, sticky material, birdlime (cement)] 
linen adj. [linen, linen, made of flax] 
listen v. [hlystan; listen] 
lithe adj. [li¥e gentle, kind] 
little n. [lyt, few, little] 
little adj. [lytel, little] 
load v. [hladan; load] A Class 6 string verb. 
loaf n. [hlaf, bread, a loaf of bread] 
loan v. [l¾n loan] 
loathe(some) adj. [la¥ hateful] 
lobster n. [loppestre, lobster] 
lock n. [loc, enclosure, sheephold] 
lock v. [lucian, lock, join, enclose] 
long adv. [lange long, for a long time] 
look v. [locian, look] 
lore adv. [lar teaching, doctrinel] 
lose v. [losian, escape, be lost, perish] 
loud adj. [hlud, loud] 
love n. [lufu, love] 
love v. [lufian, love] 
lox adv. [leax salmon] By way of Yiddish. 
lust n. [lust, desire] 


m 
(black)mail v. [m¾lan, speak] 
make v. [macian,make] 
mare n. [mearh, horse] 
master n. [magister, teacher] 
(might and) main n. [m¾gen, strength, power] 
man n. [mann, person, man] 
manifold adj. [manigfeald, manifold, various] 
mankind n. [mancynn;, mankind] 
many adj. [manig, many, many a] 
may v. [magan;, be able, can, be competent] pretative present 
meet v. [metan, meet, find] 
mer(maid) adj. [mere, pool, lake] 
mead adj. [meodo, mead] 
melt v. [meltan, melt] 
midday n. [midd¾ag, midday, noon] 
middle adj. [midd, middle, mid] 
midnight n. [middenaeht, midnight] 
mighty adj. [mihtig, mighty, powerful] 
mild adj. [milde, merciful, kind] 
milk v. [melcan, milk] 
mind n. [mynd, mind, remember] 
mine adj. [min, my, mine] 
(West)minster n. [mynster, church, monastery]  
mold n. [molde, dust, ground, earth] 
misdeed n. [misd¾d, misdeed] 
(fish)monger n. [mangere, merchant] 
monk n. [munuc, monk] 
month n. [mona¥, month] 
morn(ing) n. [morgen, morning] 
most n. [m¾st, most] 
most adj. [m&aleig;st, most] 
mood n. [mod, spirit, courage, mind] 
moor n. [mor, moor, marsh] 
moth n. [mo¥¥e, moth] 
mourn v. [murnan, mourn, care about] 
mouth n. [mu¥, mouth] 
mother n. [modor, mother] 
mount n. [munt, mountain] 
murder n. [mor¥or, crime, murder] 

n 
nail n. [n¾gl, nail, fingernail] 
naked adj. [nacod, naked] 
name n. [nama, name] 
name v. [nemnan, call, name] 
narrow adj. [nearo, narrow, near, close] 
narrowly adv. [nearolice, densely] 
naught n. [nawight, nothing] 
near adv. [neah, near] 
needle n. [n¾dl, needle] 
neither adj. [na¥er, neither] 
neither conj. [nohw¾¥er, neither] 
nephew n. [nefa, nephew] 
net n. [nett,et] 
nether adv. [ni¥er, downwards] 
never adv. [n¾fre, never] 
nevertheless conj. [no ¥e l¾s, nevertheless] 
new adj. [niwe, new] 
night n. [niht, night] 
no adv. [na, no, no, by no means, not at all, never] 
none pron., adj. [nan, none, not one, nat any, no] 
northern adv. [nor¥an, from the north] 
nostril n. [nos¥yrl, nostril] 
not adv. [noht,not] 

o 
oak n. [ac, oak] 
oar n. [ar, oar] 
oath n. [a¥, oath] 
of prep. [of, from] 
offer v. [offrain, offer, sacrifice] 
offering n. [offrung, offering, sacrifice] 
offspring n. [ofspring, offspring] 
oft(en) adv. [oft, often] 
oil n. [ele, oil] 
old adj.[eald, old, ancient] 
on prep. [on, on, onto, upon, in, into] 
on adv. [on, on, onward] 
open adj. [open,open] 
open v. [openian, open] 
openly adv. [openlice, openly] 
ore n. [ar, copper] 
other adj. [o¥er, other, another, next] 
our adj. [ure, our] 
out adv. [ut, out] 
over prep. [ofer, over, after] 
overcome v. [ofercuman, overcome] 
owe v. [agan, possess, own, have] 
ox n. [oxa, ox] 

p 
pall n. [p¾ll, purple garment, silk robe] 
path n. [p¾¥, path] 
priest n. [preost, priest] 
pound n. [pund, pound] 

q 
quick adj. [cwic, alive, living] 
quell v. [cwellan, kill] 
queen n. [cwene, woman, queen] 


r 
ram n. [ramm, ram] 
raw adj. [hreaw, raw] 
reach v. [r¾can, reach] 
read v. [r¾dan, read] 
rear v. [r¾ran, lift up, offer up] 
reckless adj. [recceleas, negligent, careless] 
red adj. [read, red] 
rest n. [rest, rest, resting place] 
rest v. [restan, rest] 
(bishpho)ric n. [rice, kingdom, reign] As in German Reich. 
right adv. [rithe, right] 
ride v. [ridan, ride] 
ridge n. [hrycg, back] 
ring n. [hring, ring] 
roe n. [ra, roebuck] 
rood n. [rod, rood, cross] 
roof n. [hroof, roof] 
row v. [rowan, row] 

s 
sail v. [saglan, sail] 
saint n. [sanct, saint] 
salt n. [sealt, salt] 
say v. [secgan, say] 
scathe v. [sce¥¥an, injure] By way of Old Norse 
scot(free) m. [sceatt, money, payment] By way or Old Norse. 
sea n. [s¾, sea] 
sea-boat n. [s¾bat, sea-boat, ship] 
seaman n. [s¾mann, sailor, Viking] 
sea rim n. [s¾rima, coast] 
seal v. [s¾lan, bind, fasten] 
see v. [seon, see] A Class 5 verb (see, saw, seen). 
seed n. [s¾d, seed, offspring] 
seek v. [secan, seek, search fro, visit] 
seethe v. [seo¥an, boil] 
seldom adv. [seldon, seldom] 
self pron. [self, self, himself, herself, same] 
sell v. [sellan, give, sell] 
send v. [sendan, send] 
set v. [settan, set, put, establish, appoint, set out, go, set down, compose] 
seven number. [seofan, the number seven] 
sew v. [siwian, sew] 
shade n. [scead, shade] 
shadow n. [sceadu, shadow, shade, darkness] 
shaft n. [sceaft, staff, shaft] 
shake v. [sceacan, flee, hasten away] 
shall v. [sculan, must, have to, ought to] Pretative present. 
shape v. [scieppan, create] 
(plough)share n. [scear, ploughshare] 
shear v. [scieran, rend, tear] 
sheath n. [sce¥, sheath] 
sheep n. [sceap, sheep] 
sheer adj. [scir, gleaming, resplendent] 
shellfish n. [sciellfisc, shellfish] 
shepherd n. [sceaphierde, shepherd] 
shield n. [scield, shield] 
shine v. [scinan, shine] 
ship n. [scip, ship] 
shoat n. [sceata, trout] 
shoemaker n. [scowyrhta, shoemaker] 
shoot v. [sceotan, thrust, shoot, throw] 
shove v. [scufan, shove, push] 
show v. [sceawian, see, behold, look at] 
shower n. [scur, shower, storm] 
showing n. [sceawung, viewing, examination] 
shrine n. [scryan, chest, coffer] 
shrink v. [scrincan, shrink] 
shrive v. [scrifan, ordain] 
shroud n. [scrud, clothing] 
sibling n. [sibling, kinsman, sibling] 
side n. [side, side] 
silk n. [seoloc, silk] 
silken adj. [seolcen, silken, made of silk] 
sill n. [syll, sill, floor] 
silly adj. [s¾'lig, blessed] 
sin n. [synn, sin] 
sing v. [singan, sing, resound] Class 3 verb. 
sister n. [sweostor, sistor] 
sit v. [sittan, sit] Class 5 verb. 
site n. [sih¥, sight, vision] 
silver n. [seolfor, silver] 
silversmith n. [seolforsmi¥, ##] 
sinew n. [seonu, sinew] 
slay v. [slean, strike, beat, attack] 
sledgehammer n. [slecg, sledgehammer] 
sleep n. [sl¾p, sleep] 
sleep v. [sl¾ppan, sleep] 
slit v. [slitan, tear, rend] 
smith n. [smi¥, blacksmith] 
snow n. [snaw, snow] 
sock n. [socc, sock] 
some pron., adj. [sum, a certain, some] 
son n. [sunn, son] 
song n. [song, song, cry] 
soon adv. [sona, immediately] 
(for)sooth n. [so¥, truth] 
sore n. [sar, pain, wound] 
sore adj. [sar, sore, painful, grevious] 
soreness n. [sarnes, pain] 
sorrow n. [sorg, sorrow, grief, trouble] 
sorrow v. [sorgian, sorrow, grieve] 
sough v. [swogan, resound, make a noise] 
soul n. [sawl, soul] 
(safe and) sound adj. [gesunder, unharmed, whole, uncorrupted] 
southern adj. [su¥erne, southern, of southern design] 
southwards adv. [su&rth;weardes, southwards] 
spade n. [spadu, spade, shovel] 
staffn. [st¾f, letter] 
spark n. [spearca, spark] 
sparrow n. [spearwa, sparrow] 
spear n. [spere, spear] 
speed v. [spedan, be prosperous, be wealthy] 
spit v. [sp¾tan, spit] 
spoor n. [spor, track, trail] 
spring v. [springan, spring away] A Class 3 verb. 
stall n. [steall, stall] 
stand v. [standan, stand, remain] A Class 6 verbv. 
star n. [steorra, star] 
stark adj. [stearc, severe] 
stead n. [stede, place, position] 
steadfast adj. [stedef¾st, steadfast, unwielding] 
steal v. [stelan, steal] 
steam n. [steam, moisture] 
steed n. [steda, stallion] 
steep adj. [steap, high] 
steer v. [stieran, steer, command, punish] 
step v. [stepan, step, advance] 
stick v. [stican, stick] 
stillness n. [stilnes, peace] 
sting v. [stingan, stab, pierce] A Class 3 verb. 
stir v. [astyrian, remove, move] 
stone n. [stan, stone] 
storm n. [storm, storm] 
storm n. [styrman, storm] 
stow n. [stow, place] 
stream n. [stream, river] 
strew v. [stregan, strew, spread] 
strong adj. [strang, strong] 
strut v. [strutian, struggle] 
studhorse n. [stodhors, stallion] 
summer n. [sumor, summer] 
Sunday n. [sunnand¾g, Sunday] 
sun n. [sunne, sun] 
swart adj. [sweart, dark, black] 
swath n. [sw¾¥, track, swath] 
swear v. [swerian, swear] A Class 6 verb. 
sweat n. [swat, sweat] 
sweat v. [sw¾tan, bleed] 
sweet adj. [swete, sweet] 
sweetmeat n. [swetmete, sweetmeat] 
sweetness n. [swetnis, sweetness] 
swift adj. [swift, swift] 
swim v. [swimman, swim] A Class 3 verb (swim, swam, swum) 
swing v. [swingan, beat, fly] A Class 3 verb (swing, swang, swung) 
sword n. [sweord, sword] 

t 
tail n. [t¾'gel, tail] 
tame adj. [tam, tame] 
teach v. [t¾can, teach, show, direct] 
tease v. [t¾san, lacerate, tear apart] 
teem v. [tyman, propogate, begat offspring] 
tell v. [tellan, account, reckon, consider] 
temple n. [templ, temple] 
ten number. [tyn, ten] 
thank v. [¥oncian, thank] 
thanks n. [¥onc, thanks] 
that conj. [¥¾t, that] 
that pron. [¥onne, then] 
then adv. [¥onc, thanks] 
there adv. [¥¾r, there] 
therein adv. [¥¾rinne, therein] 
thereof adv. [¥¾riof, thereof] 
thereto adv. [¥¾rto, thereto] 
thief n. [¥eof, thief] 
thin v. [¥enian, stretch out] 
thing n. [¥ing, thing] 
think v. [¥encean, think, ponder, consider] 
three num. [¥rie, threee] 
third num. [¥ridda, third] 
this pron. [¥es, this] 
thither adv. [¥ider, thither] 
thorn n. [¥orn, thorn] 
though adv. [¥eah, though, yet] 
thought adv. [¥oht, thought] 
thousand num. [¥usend, thousand] 
thread n. [¥r¾d, thread] 
threat n. [¥reat, host, troop] 
through prep. [¥urh, through] 
throng n. [¥rang, throng] 
thus adv. [¥us, thus, in this way, as follows] 
tide n. [tid, time] 
tie v. [tigan, tie, fasten] 
tile n. [tigel, tile] 
time n. [tima, time] 
tin n. [tin, tin] 
tithe v. [ti¥'ian, grant] 
to prep. [to, to, into, for, as a] 
today n. [tod¾g, today] 
together adv. [tog¾dere, together] 
token n. [tacn, sign, token] 
too adv. [to, too] 
tool n. [tol, tool] 
toward adj. [toweard, coming, future] 
toward adv. [towearde, before, in advance] 
(Charles)ton n. [tun, town, village] 
trap n. [trappe, trap] 
tread v. [tredan, tread on, trample] A Class 5 verb. 
tread v. [treddian, step, go] 
tree n. [treo, tree] 
(nos)tril n. [¥yrel, hole] 
trim v. [trymman, strengthen] 
true adj. [triewe, faithful] 
tru(th) n. [treow, faith, trust] 
tungue n. [tunge, tongue] 
twain num. [twegen, two] 
twelve num. [twelf, twelve] 
twenty num. [twentig, twenty] 


u 
unbind v. [unbindan, unbind, loosen] 
unclean adj. [uncl¾ne, unclean] 
uncouth adj. [uncu¥, ubknown, strange] 
under prep. [under, under] 
understand v. [understandan, understand] 
unlock v. [unloucan, unlock, open] 
unrighteous adj. [unrihtwis, unjust, wicked] 
unwillingly adv. [unwillum, unwillingly] 
up adv. [upp, up] 
utmost adj. [ytm¾st, last] 

v 
vane n. [fana, a banner, flag] As in (weather)vane. 
vat n. [f¾t, a vessel, utensile] As in (weather)vane. 
verse n. [vers, verse] 

w 
wade v. [wadan, go, advance, trudge] 
wake v. [wacian, wake] 
wall n. [weal, wall] 
wan adj. [wann, dark, black] 
wane v. [wanian, diminish, lessen] 
ward n. [weard, guardian] 
warm v. [wyrman, warm] 
warn v. [warnian, warn] 
warp v. [weorpan, throw, cast] 
water n. [w¾ter, water] 
water v. [w¾terian, water, give water to] 
wax v. [weaxon, row] 
way n. [weg, way, path, road] 
we pron. [we, we] 
weal n. [wela, prosperity, riches] 
weapon n. [w¾pen, weapon] 
(widow's) weeds n. [w¾d, clothing, covering] 
weather n. [weder, wind, storm] 
weigh v. [wegan, carry] 
weird adj. [wyrd, fate, event] 
well v. [wellan, well, surge, boil] 
well n. [wille, fountain] 
wend v. [wendan, wend one's way, go, turn, translate, change] 
were(wolf) n. [wer, man, husband] 
west adv. [west, west] 
whale n. [hw¾l, whale] 
what pron. [hw¾t, who, what, someone, something] 
when conj. [hw¾nne, until the time when] 
where adv. [hw¾r, where] 
whet v. [hwettan, whet, incite] 
whether conj. [hw¾¥er, whether] 
which pron. [hwelc, which, what, what kind of ] 
while n. [hwil, time, while] 
whistling n. [hwistlung, whistling] 
wield v. [wealdan, wield, control] 
wide adj. [wide, wide, far and wide] 
widow n. [widewe, widow] 
wife n. [wif, woman, wife] 
will n. [willa, will, desire, pleasure, delight] 
win v. [winnan, suffer, strugle, fight] 
wind n. [wind, wind] 
windy adj. [windig, windy] 
wine n. [win, wine] 
winsome adj. [wynsum, delightful] 
winter n. [winter, winter, year] 
wintertide n. [wintertid, wintertime] 
wire n. [wir, wire, metal rod] 
wisdom n. [wisdom, wisdom] 
wise adj. [wis, wise] 
wish v. [wiscan, wish] 
with prep. [wi¥, against, in return for, from, with] 
withstand v. [wi¥stondan, withstand] 
woe n. [wu, woe] 
wolf n. [wulf, wolf] 
womb n. [womb, womb, belly] 
won adj. [hwon, little, few] 
wonder n. [wundor, wonder, miracle] 
wonder v. [wundurian, wonder, marvel at] 
wood n. [wudu, wood, forest, tree] 
word n. [word, word] 
work n. [weorc, work, task, deed] 
work v. [wyrcan, make, form, produce] 
world n. [woruld, world] 
worm n. [wyrm, worm, serpent, dragon] 
wort n. [wyrt, herb, plant, vegetable] 
worth n. [weor¥, worth, price] 
worthy adj. [weor¥, worthy, dear, valuable, in possession of] 
wound n. [wund, wound] 
wreak v. [wrecan, avenge] 
wright n. [wyrhta, workman] 
write v. [writan, write] 
writer n. [writere, writer] 

x 
See the orthography page. 

y 

yard n. [geard, yard, enclosure] 
yealt v. [gylp, boasting, pride] 
year n. [gear, year] 
yearn v. [giernan, rntreat, beg for] 
yell v. [giellan, cry out] 
yes adv. [giese, yes] 
yesterday n. [giestrand¾g, yes] 
yet adv. [giet, yet, still] 
yield v. [gieldan, pay, render] 
(be)yond prep. [geond, through, throughtout] 
young adj. [geong, young] 
days of yore adj. [geara, long ago] 
your adv. [eower, your] 



Lexicon 
Y 

y 
See the orthography page. 

The Lexicon Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/words/letter_z.htm10/10/09 7:11 PM 

Orthography 
Since the distinctions betweend the sounds of f and v are less distinct in Old English,
 they are both represented by f. Similarly, s and z are both represented by s. 
Several Old English symbols are not used English today.
These include ¾ (ash) which represents the vowel in Modern English 'hat', 
as well as ¥ (thorn) and ¥, both of which represent the th(eth) in 'cloth' and 'clothe'. 
The capital of ¥ is ¥. 


Stress 
The stress in Old English usually falls on the first syllable. 
However, prepositional prefixes (for-) can be either accented 
(forweard, forward) or unaccented (forlornen, forlorn). 
For compound words in which both elements retain their full meaning (s¾weall, seawall), 
the root syllable of the second element retains a secondary stress. 


Vowels 
Both long and short vowels are used: 
a as in 'and' 
a as in 'an' 
¾ as in 'mat' 
¾as in 'has' 
e as n bet 
e as in become 
i as in 'tin' 
i as in 'seen' 

o as in 'cough' 

o as in 'row' u as in 'pull' u as in cool y as i 
with lips in whistling position y as i with lips in whistling position 




Constanants 
All consonants are pronounced. Double consonants are pronounced doubled or long. 
(Thus -dd- is pronounced as 'red d', not as 'ready'.) 
Most consonants are pronounced in the same way as Modern English. 

The letters s,f, ¥, and ¥ are voiced as in 'risen', 'loaves', 'clothes', and the like. 
At the beginning and end, they are voiceless as in 'sit', 'loaf', 'path', 'cloth', and the like. 
The letter s and z, the letters f and v, and the voiced and unvoiced ¥ and ¥ 
were variations in Old English and not sounds of different significance. 
Accordingly, f¾t (fat) and f¾t (vat) could be pronounced with an initial f or v, according to dialect. 
When used at the beginning of a word before a vowel, 
h is pronounced as in Modern English 'hound'. Otherwise, 
it is pronounced like the German ch in ich or ach, or like the Scots ch in loch. 

Before a, o, u, and y, c is pronounced k and g is pronounced as in Modern English 'good'. 
Before e and i, c is pronounced like ch in Modern English 'child', 
and g is pronounced like y in Modern English 'yet'. 
After or between back vowels, g is pronounced as w in Modern English 'draw' 
(from Old English dragan) and 'bow' (boga) 
The combination sc (as in scip) is pronounced as the Modern English sh (ship). 
The combination cg ( as in ecg) is pronounced as Modern English dge (edge). 

Weak & Strong 
Both weak and strong verbs were used in Old English. 
The past and past participles of weak verbs were usually formed 
by adding dental suffixes to the present tense stem 
(as in the Modern English 'laugh', 'laughed', 'laughed'). 
For the strong verbs, the stem vowels are changed (as in 'sing', 'sang', 'sung'). 

The strong Anglo-Saxon verbs still in use today are easily recognized by the vowel changes. 
(They also make English difficult to learn as a foreign language!) 
They are somewhat complicated by the seven different classes of vowel gradations that were used. 
Of these, some were regular and some were not. The following are examples of each class still in use: 

Class 1: 'shine' 
Class 2: 'creep' 
Class 3a: 'thresh' 
Class 3b: 'fight' 
Class 3c: 'help' (archaic past tense 'holp') 
Class 3d: 'yield' 
Class 3e: 'sing' 
Class 4: 'bear' 
Class 5: 'see' 
Class 6: 'slay' 
Class 7a: 'know' 
Class 7b: 'fall' 

Some weak verbs also are still in use, as well. 
Most verbs created since the Anglo-Saxon period, 
as well as those borrowed from other languages, are treated as weak. 
A few of them also changed their stem vowels in the past and past participle. 
Notable examples of these exceptions still in use include 'seek', 'sell', 'think', 'bring', 'think', and 'buy'. 
The important verb ' to be' is anomalous. 

Tenses 
The only two tenses of Old English verbs were present and past (preterite). 

Moods 
Indicative, subjunctive, and imperative moods were used. 
The subjunctive mood has survived primarily with the verb " to be" Present and past participles, 
as well as two infinitives (one without 'to'; the other inflected and with "to') were also used. 

Number 
Singular and plural verbs were used. 

Persons 
Verbs in three persons were used in the singular of the present and past indicative. 
All plurals and the subjunctives were the same throughout. 

Voice 
With but one exception, only the active voice was used in Old English. 

H.G. Fowler The lawgiver of English usage 
The Collections
http://www.ibiblio.org/lineback/fow.htm10/10/09 7:12 PM