Old English

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From Proto-West Germanic *warōn, from Proto-Germanic *warōną, whence also Old High German warōn, Old Norse vara.

Verb

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warian

  1. (intransitive) to beware
  2. (transitive) to make ware, make aware
  3. (transitive) to warn
  4. (reflexive) to guard oneself (against), be on one's guard
  5. (intransitive) to take heed, be careful, take precaution
  6. (transitive) to guard, keep, hold
    • 10th century, The Wanderer:
      Warað hine wræclāst, · nales wunden gold,
      ferðloca frēoriġ, · nalæs foldan blǣd.
      His path of exile not at all hold twisted gold,
      the cold spirit, not at all earth's glory.
  7. (transitive) to ward off, repel
Conjugation
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Derived terms
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Descendants
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  • Middle English: warien, waren

Etymology 2

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From Proto-West Germanic *waʀōn.

Verb

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warian

  1. to remain
  2. to continue
Conjugation
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Etymology 3

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From Proto-West Germanic *warjan (to ward off, defend, protect).

Alternative forms

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Verb

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warian

  1. to make an agreement with
Conjugation
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Descendants
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  • Middle English: waren (to use, spend, pay) (merged with Old Norse verja (to expend))