ween

[ ween ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Archaic.

1. to think; suppose.
2. to expect, hope, or intend.

ween

/ wiːn /

verb

1. archaic.
   to think or imagine (something)

Other Words From

• un·weened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ween¹

before 900; Middle English wenen, Old English wēnan to expect; cognate with German wähnen to imagine, Old Norse væna, Gothic wēnjan to hope, expect

Word History and Origins

Origin of ween¹

Old English wēnan; related to Old Saxon wānian, Gothic wēnjan, German wähnen to assume wrongly

Example Sentences

The use of ween is limited; and the third person, singular and plural, is generally indicated by the sign, O.

From Project Gutenberg

With shields are your ships bedecked; boldly ye bear yourselves, few things ye fear, I ween: tell me how your king is named.

From Project Gutenberg

They, I ween, spoke not more than this: kindly she went to sit at the damsel's knee.

From Project Gutenberg

On each other then they looked before they parted: then, I ween, their fates were severed, and their ways divided.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of ween is limited; and the third person, singular and plural, is generally indicated by the sign O.

From Project Gutenberg