smeagan

Alternative forms

• smēan, smēagean

Etymology

Old English, from smēah (“penetrating, acute, subtle, effective”). Akin to Old English smūgan (“to creep, progress gradually or deliberately”), Old Norse smjúga (“to creep”) (>Danish smyge), Old English smygel (“a burrow, place to creep into”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsmæːɑɣɑn/

Verb

smēagan

1. consider, think about
2. meditate
3. examine, scrutinize, question
   • Lindisfarne Gospels, Mark 8:11:

     And þa ferdon ða pharisei ⁊ ongunnon mid him smeagean ⁊ tacen of heofone sohton ⁊ his fandedon;

     And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. (KJV)

   • Lindisfarne Gospels, Mark 9:16:

     Þa ahsode he hi, hwæt smeage ge betwux eow;

     And he asked them, What question ye among yourselves?