English Dictionary

§ 146. The two important exceptions to the rule

that the Frisian agrees with the Westsaxon rather than

with the Northumbrian are the two connected with its

Phonesis; in respect to (1) its Nunnation and (2) its

Sigmatismus. It has less of both than the Westsaxon;

though the absence of neither is quite so conspicuous

as it is in the Norse.

§ 147. Eschewal of the Nunnation; Change from -an to -a.—This we find in three inflections:

a. In the Weak (or Simple) Substantive—A. S.; eágan = eye’s and eyes, &c.; tungan = tongue’s and tongues, &c.; naman = name’s and names &c.—in Frisian ága, tunga, nama, &c.

b. In the Definite Adjective—A. S. gódan = boni, bonæ, bono, in the Singular; and boni, bonæ, bona, bonos, &c., in the Plural. In Frisian the form is góda.

c. In the Infinitive Mood of Verbs — A. S. deman = judicare, bærnan = urere, &c.; in Frisian, dema, berna, &c.

§ 146. The two important exceptions to the rule that the Frisian agrees with the Westsaxon rather than with the Northumbrian are the two connected with its Phonesis; in respect to (1) its Nunnation and (2) its Sigmatismus. It has less of both than the Westsaxon; though the absence of neither is quite so conspicuous as it is in the Norse. § 147. Eschewal of the Nunnation; Change from -an to -a.—This we find in three inflections: a. In the Weak (or Simple) Substantive—A. S.; eágan = eye’s and eyes, &c.; tungan = tongue’s and tongues, &c.; naman = name’s and names &c.—in Frisian ága, tunga, nama, &c. b. In the Definite Adjective—A. S. gódan = boni, bonæ, bono, in the Singular; and boni, bonæ, bona, bonos, &c., in the Plural. In Frisian the form is góda. c. In the Infinitive Mood of Verbs — A. S. deman = judicare, bærnan = urere, &c.; in Frisian, dema, berna, &c. In all these the Northumbrian agrees with the Frisian, and both with the Norse.