wiþstandan

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Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From wiþ- +‎ standan.

Pronunciation

Verb

wiþstandan

  1. to stand against, stand in the way of, resist, be a match for
    • Exeter Book, The Wanderer
      Ne mæg werig mod · wyrde wiðstondan,
      ne se hreo hyge · helpe gefremman.
      A weary mind cannot withstand fate,
      nor the worried mind help out.
    • late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans
      Leoniða, Læcedemonia cyning, Crēca byrġ, hæfde IIII þūsend monna, þā hē anġēan Xersis fōr, on ānum nearwan londfæstenne; ⁊ him þǣr mid ġefeohte wiðstōd.
      Leonidas, king of Sparta, a Greek city, had four thousand men, when he marched against Xerxes, in a narrow fortified pass; and stood against him in battle.
  2. to obstruct, prevent, hinder
  3. to keep away, be absent

Conjugation

Descendants

  • Middle English: withstanden