† onˈfang, v. Obs.
Forms: inf. 1–3 onfón, 3 (Orm.) onnfanngenn; pa. tense 1–3 onfeng, 4 onfoȝ; pa. pple. 1– onfangen.
[f. on-2: see fang v.]
1. trans. To receive, accept.
| c 900 tr. Bæda's Hist. i. iii. (1890) 30 Claudius..mycelne dæl þæs landes on anweald onfeng. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. xxvii. 6 Ða soðlice þæra sacerda ealdras onfengon þæs seolfres. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 298 Se þe þone stan on drince onfehð. c 1200 Ormin 16571 Forr he ne mot nohht Cristess flæsh Ne Cristess blod onnfanngenn. c 1205 Lay. 1069 Nulle we noht þis on-fon. |
2. To take with the mind; to conceive or understand (in a particular way).
| c 1200 Ormin 12106 Þatt birrþ uss lokenn hu mann birrþ Onnfon and unnderrstanndenn. |
3. To undertake.
| 971 Blickl. Hom. 155 Hwylc swa ᵹelyfeþ..þonne wile he onfon rihtre ondetnesse for Cristes naman. c 1200 Ormin 8565 And ta þatt shulenn þanne onnfon To lefenn uppo Criste. c 1205 Lay. 21194 Mi seolf ic wullen on-fon. |
4. To conceive (offspring).
| a 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) l. 6 Þu wast þæt ic wæs mid unrihtwisnesse onfangen. a 1300 E.E. Psalter I. 7 In wickenesses on-fanged am I, And in sinnes me on-foȝ mi modre for-þi. |