hwelpian

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Old English

Etymology

Composed of hwelp +‎ -ian. Compare Middle English chīlden (already attested c. 1175 in the Ormulum).

Pronunciation

Verb

hwelpian

  1. to give birth (of some animals)
    Sē lēohwelp, þonne hē ġehwelpod biþ, slǣpþ þrī dagas.
    After a lion cub is born, it sleeps for three days.
    Sēo wylfen hwelpaþ swā fela hwelpa swā sēo biċċe dēþ.
    Wolves give birth to as many pups as dogs do.
    Otras hwelpiaþ on heora holum þe hīe under trēowum dulfon nēah ēam. Æfter ānum mōnaþ mæġ sē otorhwelp þæt hol forlǣtan, and æfter twām mōnaþum hē mæġ swimman.
    Otters give birth in dens that they've dug under trees located near rivers. After a month, an otter pup can leave the den; after two months, it can swim.

Conjugation

Descendants

  • Middle English: whelpen