onfangen

Middle English

Etymology

From Old English onfōn, equivalent to on- (derivational prefix) +‎ fangen (“grasp, take, carry away”).

Verb

onfangen

1. to receive; to accept [9th–13th c.]
2. to conceive (a child) [10th–13th c.]

References

• “onfō̆ngen, v.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
• James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “Onfang”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes VII (O–P), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 125, column 3.