westan

Old English

Alternative forms

• wǣstan
• ƿēstan — wynn spelling

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *wōstijaną (“to lay waste”). Akin to Old Saxon wōstian, Old High German wuosten (German wüsten).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈweːs.tɑn/

Verb

wēstan

1. to ravage, spoil
2. to lay waste, devastate; desolate

Conjugation

Conjugation of wēstan (weak class 1)

infinitive	wēstan	wēstenne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	wēste	wēste
second person singular	wēstest, wēst	wēstest
third person singular	wēsteþ, wēst	wēste
plural	wēstaþ	wēston
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	wēste	wēste
plural	wēsten	wēsten
imperative
singular	wēst
plural	wēstaþ
participle	present	past
	wēstende	(ġe)wēsted

Descendants

• Middle English: westen
  • Scots: wast, waist, weist, weast (partially)
  • English: weest