clawen

Middle English

Etymology 1

From Old English clawan, clāwan, *clēn, clawian, from Proto-Germanic *klawjaną; equivalent to clawe +‎ -en (“infinitive suffix”).

Alternative forms

• clawy, clawe, clowe, clawyn, cleen

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈklau̯ən/, /ˈklɔu̯ən/, /ˈkleːn/

Verb

clawen

1. To scratch at with the claws; to claw or make lacerations.
2. To scratch gently (as to remove pain or aching).
3. (rare) To grab onto; to make a grip on something.
4. (rare) To flatter; to butter up.
5. (rare) To wipe or remove dirt by abrasion.

Conjugation

Conjugation of clawen (weak/strong class 7)

infinitive	(to) clawen
indicative	present	past
1st person singular	clawe	clawed, clew
2nd person singular	clawest	clawedest, *clewe
3rd person singular	claweþ, claweth	clawed, clew
plural	clawen	*clawed(en), *clewe(n)
subjunctive	present	past
singular	clawe	clawed, *clewe
plural	clawen	*clawed(en), *clewe(n)
imperative	present
singular	clawe
plural	claweþ, claweth
participle	present	past
	clawende, clawinge	clawed, *clowen

Descendants

• English: claw
• Scots: claw

References

• “clauen (v.)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-12.

Etymology 2

From clawe +‎ -en (“plural suffix”).

Noun

clawen

1. plural of clawe