Chapter II: Weak Verbs

§ 183. The formation and inflection of the prt. and pp. of the four classes of the weak verbs (§ 168) ar alike. The pp. is formd by means of the suffix =-da-= (nom. m. =-þs=) which is in all classes added to the verbal stem. The latter varies according to the formativ suffix and causes in the present forms a considerabl difference of inflection in the four classes. We first giv the inflection of the prt., which is the same in all classes.

_1. INFLECTION OF THE WEAK PRETERIT._

§ 184. Paradims: =nasida=, =salbôda=, =habaida=, =fullnôda=. Only one exampl is necessary to show the inflection.

INDICATIV. OPTATIV.

Sing. 1. =nasi-da= =nasi-dêdjau=
2. =nasi-dês= =nasi-dêdeis=
3. =nasi-da= =nasi-dêdi=

Dual 1. =nasi-dêdu= =nasi-dêdeiwa=
2. =nasi-dêduts= =nasi-dêdeits=

Plur. 1. =nasi-dêdum= =nasi-dêdeima=
2. =nasi-dêduþ= =nasi-dêdeiþ=
3. =nasi-dêdun= =nasi-dêdeina=

What has been said in § 170, n. 4 concerns also the 1st and 2nd pers. du. optativ.

_2. FIRST WEAK CONJUGATION_ (=-jan=).

§ 185. The verbs of this class hav the formativ suffix =i= which appears in the present as =j= (inf. =-jan=). This =j= and a following =i= ar either contracted into =ei= (according to § 44, c and n. 1) or remain =ji=. Thus we hav two subdivisions: (a) Verbs with short stem-syllabls; e. g., =nasjan=, _to save_, or verbs in a long vowel; as, =stôjan=, _to judge_. (b) Verbs with long stem-syllabls ending in a consonant; e. g., =sôkjan=, _to seek_, and polysyllabic verbs; e. g., =mikiljan=, _to praise_.

§ 186.

(a) +Present+ (+Activ+).

INDICATIV.

Sing. 1. =nasja= =stôja= | =sôkja=
2. =nasjis= =stôjis= | =sôkeis=
3. =nasjiþ= =stôjiþ= | =sôkeiþ=
|
Dual 1. =nasjôs= =stôjôs= | =sôkjôs=
2. =nasjats= =stôjats= | =sôkjats=
|
Plur. 1. =nasjam= =stôjam= | =sôkjam=
2. =nasjiþ= =stôjiþ= | =sôkeiþ=
3. =nasjand= =stôjand= | =sôkjand=

OPTATIV.

Sing. 1. =nasjau= =stôjau= | =sôkjau=
2. =nasjais= etc. | etc.
3. =nasjai= |
|
Dual 1. =nasjaiwa= |
2. =nasjaits= |
|
Plur. 1. =nasjaima= |
2. =nasjaiþ= |
3. =nasjaina= |

IMPERATIV.

Sing. 2. =nasei= [=stauei=] | =sôkei=
3. =nasjadau= =stôjadau= | =sôkjadau=
|
Dual 2. =nasjats= =stôjats= | =sôkjats=
|
Plur. 1. =nasjam= =stôjam= | =sôkjam=
2. =nasjiþ= =stôjiþ= | =sôkeiþ=
3. =nasjandau= =stôjandau= | =sôkjandau=

INFINITIV.

=nasjan= =stôjan= | =sôkjan=

PARTICIPL.

=nasjands= =stôjands= | =sôkjands=

(b) Preterit.

=nasida= =stauida= | =sôkida=

(Inflection § 184.)

(c) Preterit Participl (Passiv).

=nasiþs= =stauiþs= | =sôkiþs=

(d) Medio-Passiv: Present.

INDICATIV.

Sing. 1. 3. =nasjada= =stôjada= | =sôkjada=
2. =nasjaza= =stôjaza= | =sôkjaza=
|
Plur. 1. 2. 3. =nasjanda= =stôjanda= | =sôkjanda=

OPTATIV.

Sing. 1. 3. =nasjaidau= =stôjaidau= | =sôkjaidau=
2. =nasjaizau= =stôjaizau= | =sôkjaizau=
|
Plur. 1. 2. 3. =nasjaindau= =stôjaindau= | =sôkjaindau=

NOTE 1. The 3d pers. sg. imper. is preservd in =lausjadau=,
ῥυσάσθω; Mt. XXVII, 43 (cp. § 170, n. 3). The 3d pers. pl. would be
=lausjandau= according to § 192, n. 1.

NOTE 2. The 2nd pers. sg. imper. =stauei= (inf. =stôjan=) is
suggested by the prt. =stauida= according to § 26.

§ 187. Further exampls of this very numerous class: (a) 1. verbs with short stem-syllabls: =waljan=, _to choose_; =ga-tamjan=, _to tame_; =uf-þanjan=, _to strech_; =warjan=, _to forbid_; =lagjan=, _to lay_; =us-wakjan=, _to awake_; =satjan=, _to set_; =wasjan=, _to vest, clothe_; =hazjan=, _to praise_; =huljan=, _to cuver_; 2. stems ending in a vowel: =taujan= (imper. sg. =tawei=, prt. =tawida=, pp. =tawiþs=), _to do_; =*straujan=, _to strew_ (only the prt. =strawida= and pp. =strawiþs= ar extant); =qiujan= (=qiwida=), _to quicken_; =ana-niujan= (=-niwida=), _to renew_; =siujan=, _to sew_; --concerning =*môjan= (in =afmôjan=, _to weary_) and =*dôjan= (in =afdôjan=, _to tire out_), s. § 26, a.

(b) verbs with long stems and polysyllabic verbs: =mêljan=, _to write_; =mêrjan=, _to preach_; =sipônjan=, _to be a disciple_; =hnaiwjan=, _to abase_; =hrainjan=, _to clean_; =hausjan=, _to hear_; =þiuþjan=, _to bless_; --=brannjan=, _to burn_; =sandjan=, _to send_; =namnjan=, _to name_; =andbahtjan=, _to serv_; =glitmunjan=, _to glitter_; =haúrnjan=, _to blow the horn_.

NOTE 1. =kaupatjan=, _to buffet_, has the prt. =kaupasta= (without
=i=; cp. § 75), but the pp. =kaupatiþs= (cp. § 209, n. 1). The
verbs =lauhatjan=, _to shine_; =swôgatjan=, _to sigh_, occur in the
prs. only.

NOTE 2. Sum primary verbs with =j= in the present stem inflect in
the present like the weak verbs of the first class. In the prt.
they ar either strong or weak without the formativ suffix =i=. Cp.
§ 206, a (§ 209).

NOTE 3. Only two verbs assume occasionally forms of the 2nd weak
conjugation: =hausjan=, _to hear_, beside =hausjôn= (occurs several
times); pp. =un-beistjôþs=, _unlevend_, but =ga-beistjan=, _to
leven_.

NOTE 4. Like the 2nd pers. du. and pl. imper. of =nasjan= go the
interjectional =hirjats=, =hirjiþ=. The sg. =hiri= is irregular.
Cp. § 219.

§ 188. Verbs of this class ar derived from verbs, adjectivs and substantivs. Their meaning is predominantly causativ. Causativs from strong ablaut verbs hav the vowel of the prt. sg.; e. g., =wandjan=, _to wend, turn_ (< =windan=); =dragkjan=, _to giv to drink_ (< =drigkan=); =ur-raisjan=, _to raiz_ (< =ur-reisan=, _to arize_); =ga-drausjan=, _to cause to fall_ (< =driusan=).--Also verbs derived from adjectivs and substantivs show, with few exceptions, a causativ meaning; e. g., =háuhjan=, _to make high_ (< =háuhs=); =hailjan=, _to heal_ (< =hails=); =warmjan=, _to warm_ (< =warms=); --=dailjan=, _to deal_ (< =dails=); =taiknjan=, _to make a sign, to show_ (< =taikns=, _a token_); etc.--Only a few hav an intransitiv meaning, e. g., =sipônjan=, _to be a disciple_; =faúrhtjan=, _to fear_.

_3. SECOND WEAK CONJUGATION_ (=-ôn=).

§ 189. The formativ suffix (=ô=) occurs in this class not only in the prt., but also in the hole prs., and absorbs the initial vowels appearing in the endings of the strong verb. Paradim: =salbôn=, _to anoint_.

(a) +Present.+

INDIC. OPT. IMPER.
Sing. 1. =salbô= =salbô= --
2. =salbôs= =salbôs= =salbô=
3. =salbôþ= =salbô= =salbôdau=

Dual 1. =salbôs= =salbôwa= --
2. =salbôts= =salbôts= =salbôts=

Plur. 1. =salbôm= =salbôma= =salbôm=
2. =salbôþ= =salbôþ= =salbôþ=
3. =salbônd= =salbôna= =salbôndau=

INFINITIV: =salbôn=

PARTICIPL: =salbônds=

(b) +Preterit.+

=salbôda=, =-dês=, =-da=, etc. (s. § 184).

(c) +Pret. Participl Passiv.+

=salbôþs=

(d) +Medio-Passiv: Present.+

INDIC. OPT.
Sing. 1. 3. =salbôda= =salbôdau=
2. =salbôza= =salbôzau=

Plur. 1. 2. 3. =salbônda= =salbôndau=

NOTE. No exampls of the 3. pers. sg. and pl. imper. ar extant, but
they may be safely inferd like other forms; e. g., the dual forms,
or the 2nd pers. sg. midl: =salbôza=, =salbôzau=, which hav been
merely inferd according to the other conjugations.

§ 190. The number of verbs of the 2nd class is greater than that of the 3d, but much smaller than that of the verbs in =-jan=. Exampls: =mitôn=, _to think_; =ƕarbôn=, _to wander_; =fiskôn=, _to fish_; =sidôn=, _to practis_; =idreigôn=, _to repent_; =awiliudôn=, _to thank_; =þiudanôn=, _to be king_; =faginôn=, _to rejoice_; =fraujinôn=, _to rule_; =reikinôn=, _to rule_; =frijôn=, _to luv_; =sunjôn=, _to justify_; =hausjôn= (§ 187, n. 3).

_4. THIRD WEAK CONJUGATION_ (=-an=).

§ 191. Verbs of this class hav the formativ suffix =-ai=. This, however, appears in all forms of the prt. (and in the pp.), while it occurs in but few forms of the present and what belongs to the prs., the greater number following entirely the present forms of the strong verb. The =ai= is found in the present only where the terminations of the strong verb begin with =i= which it absorbs (thus, in the 2nd and 3d pers. sg. indic., in the 2nd pers. pl. indic., and in 2nd pers. pl. imper.), and in 2nd pers. sg. imper. (which has no termination).--But the =ai= is entirely wanting before the endings beginning with =a= (=ô=).

§ 192. Paradim =haban=, _to hav_.

(a) +Present.+

INDIC. OPT. IMPER.

Sing. 1. =haba= =habau= --
2. =habais= =habais= =habai=
3. =habaiþ= =habai= =habadau=

Dual 1. =habôs= =habaiwa= --
2. =habats= =habaits= =habats=

Plur. 1. =habam= =habaima= =habam=
2. =habaiþ= =habaiþ= =habaiþ=
3. =haband= =habaina= =habandau=

INFINITIV: =haban=

PARTICIPL: =habands=

(b) +Preterit.+

=habaida=, =-dês=, =-da=, etc. (s. § 184).

(c) +Preterit Participl.+

=habaiþs=

(d) +Medio-Passiv: Present.+

INDIC. OPT.

Sing. 1. 3. =habada= =habaidau=
2. =habaza= =habaizau=

Plur. =habanda= =habaindau=

NOTE. An exampl of the 3d pers. pl. imper. is extant in this
conjugation only: =liugandau=, γαμησάτωσαν; I. Cor. VII, 9.

§ 193. Verbs of this class ar mostly intransitiv. Their number is comparativly small. Exampls: =þahan=, _to be silent_; =þulan=, _to suffer_; =liban=, _to liv_; =ana-silan=, _to be silent_; =fijan=, _to hate_; =trauan=, _to trust_ (cp. § 26); =saúrgan=, _to sorrow_; =liugan=, _to marry_.

NOTE. =hatan=, _to hate_, fluctuates between this and the 1st weak
conj. (=hatjan=); --=bauan=, _to dwel_, has the 3d pers. sg. prs.
indic. strong: =bauiþ=; cp. § 179, n. 2.

_5. FOURTH WEAK CONJUGATION_ (=-nan=).

§ 194. By means of the suff. =-no-= in the prt., =n= (=-na-=) in the present, verbs ar formd in Gothic which denote an entering into a state; therefore they hav an 'inchoativ' meaning. When they hav a medial meaning, they often also render Greek medio-passiv verbs. These verbs ar always intransitiv and never hav a purely passiv meaning. Hense, for exampl, =andbindada= means _it is loost_ (by sum one), but =andbundniþ=, _it becums loose, it loosens_. Nearly all of these verbs ar derived from adjectivs or from the stem of the pp. passiv. Exampls: (a) from strong verbs: =and-bundnan= (=bindan=), _to loosen_ (intr.); =us-bruknan= (=brikan=), _to break off_ (intr.); =dis-kritnan=, _to rend_ (intr.); =fra-lusnan= (=fra-liusan=), _to perish_; =ga-waknan= (=wakan=), _to awaken_; =ga-skaidnan= (=skaidan=), _to becum parted, to depart_; --(b) from adjectivs: =gahailnan= (=hails=), _to becum hole_; =mikilnan= (=mikils=), _to becum great_; =weihnan= (=weihs=), _to becum holy_; =gadauþnan=, _to becum ded, to die_.

NOTE 1. To substantivs belong =gafrisahtnan= (=frisahts=, _image_),
_to be formd_; =ga-gawaírþnan= (=ga-waírþi=), _to reconcile one's
self to_; the stem-vowel is irregular in: =us-geisnan=, _to becum
amazed_; =in-feinan=, _to be moved with compassion_.

NOTE 2. That the fundamental meaning of these verbs is inchoativ
has been shown by Egge, 'Inchoativ or =n=-verbs in Gothic'
(American Journal of Phil., 7, p. 38 et seq.). The corresponding
Norse verbs in =-na= ar inchoativ only.

§ 195. The inflection of these verbs is in the present identical with that of the strong verbs. No medio-passiv nor a pp. can be formd. Paradim: =fullnan= (=fulls=, _ful_; =fulljan=, _to fil_), _to becum ful, fil_ (intr.).

(a) +Present.+

INDIC. OPT. IMPER.

Sing. 1. =fullna= =fullnau= --
2. =fullnis= =fullnais= =fulln=
3. =fullniþ= =fullnai= =fullnadau=

Dual 1. =fullnôs= =fullnaiwa= --
2. =fullnats= =fullnaits= =fullnats=

Plur. 1. =fullnam= =fullnaima= =fullnam=
2. =fullniþ= =fullnaiþ= =fullniþ=
3. =fullnand= =fullnaina= =fullnandau=

INFINITIV: =fullnan=

PARTICIPL: =fullnands=

(b) +Preterit.+

=fullnôda=, =-dês=, =-da= (s. § 184).

NOTE 1. Of the imper. of verbs of this class only the 2nd pers. sg.
is extant.

NOTE 2. The prt. =keinôda=, _germinated_, aroze thru the influence
of the strong present =keinan= (§ 172, n. 2) which could not belong
here merely because of its meaning.