ween

verb

ˈwēn How to pronounce ween (audio)
weened; weening; weens

transitive verb

archaic
: to hold as an opinion : suppose, believe
Little did he ween that these wretched rags he now wore, were but suitable to that long career of destitution before him …—Herman Melville
Since primal Man was fashioned / To people ice and stones, / No pair, I ween, had ever been / Such chums as I and JONES.—P. G. Wodehouse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wenen, from Old English wēnan; akin to Old Norse væna to hope and probably to Latin venus love, charm — more at win

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ween was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ween

Weems

ween

weenie

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ween.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ween. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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