Etymology 1
From Old English ācsian, āxian, metathetic forms of āscian, from Proto-West Germanic *aiskōn.
- axien, asken, askien, aschen, aishen, axe, axse, aske, asshe, asche, aski, eskien, eschen, easki, eski, ix, oxien, oxen, axie, axsy, asse, asskenn
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈaksən/, /ˈaskən/, /ˈaʃən/, /ˈɛ-/, /ˈi-/, /ˈɔː-/
Verb
axen
- (intransitive, transitive, ditransitive) To ask, enquire or question:
c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.), published c. 1410, Matheu 7:7-8, page 3v, column 2; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:Axe ȝe .· ⁊ it ſchal be ȝouun to ȝou / ſeke ȝe .· ⁊ ȝe ſchulen fynde / knocke ȝe .· ⁊ it ſchal be opened to ȝou / foꝛ ech that axiþ .· takiþ / and he that ſekiþ .· fyndiþ / and it ſchal be openyde to hym .· that knockiþ- Ask, and you'll receive it; look, and you'll find; knock, and it'll be opened for you. / Because anyone who asks takes, someone that looks finds, and that'll be opened to them that knocks.
- To formulate or proffer a question or query.
- To ask for a response (to a question or query).
- To request knowledge or information.
c. 1395, John Wycliffe, John Purvey [et al.], transl., Bible (Wycliffite Bible (later version), MS Lich 10.), published c. 1410, Coꝛinthis ·i· 14:35, page 66v, column 2; republished as Wycliffe's translation of the New Testament, Lichfield: Bill Endres, 2010:but if þei wolen ony þing lerne .· at hoom axe þei her hoſebondis / foꝛ it is foule þing to a womman .· to ſpeke in chirche- But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home, because it's a revolting thing for a woman to speak in church.
- To ask for a favour or reward; to supplicate.
- To pray for something; to supplicate a divinity.
- (transitive) To look for something; to attempt to find something:
- To search for an object, place, or person.
- To search for recommendations or information.
- (transitive, intransitive, ditransitive) To want or require (something or someone).
- (transitive, intransitive, ditransitive) To command or require (someone to do something).
- (transitive) To trial or examine (something)
- (rare, transitive, intransitive) To acquire knowledge through examination.
- (rare, transitive) To endeavour to do (something).
- (rare, transitive) To aim to visit a location.
- (rare, transitive) To have a tendency towards a certain way or direction.
Conjugation
More information infinitive, present tense ...
infinitive |
(to) axen, axe |
|
present tense |
past tense |
1st-person singular |
axe |
axed, axte |
2nd-person singular |
axest |
axedest, axtest |
3rd-person singular |
axeth |
axed, axte |
subjunctive singular |
axe |
imperative singular |
— |
|
plural1 |
axen, axe |
axeden, axede, axten, axte |
imperative plural |
axeth, axe |
— |
|
participles |
axynge, axende |
axed, axt |
Close
1Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.
Etymology 2
Adjective
axen
- Alternative form of asshen (“ash-coloured”)