- sécan
- \sécan 1 [see·chan] irreg wv/t1b 3rd pres sécþ past sóhte ptp gesóht to seek; 1. (1) to try to find, to look for, make search for; (2) to try to get (the source from which a thing is sought marked by tó); ic mannes feorh tó slagan séce I will require man's life of the slayer; (3) to try to attain an end, strive to effect a purpose, aim at, strive after, make something the object of endeavor; gif hé þone dóm ofer hine sóhte if the other tried to get judgment upon him; híe sóhton hine him tó hláforde and tó mundboran they tried to get him to be their lord and protector; (3a) w.prep. to seek after, try to provide for; man séce ymbe þearfe mínre sáwle; (4) to try to find out by investigation or examination; híe sóhton, hwæt séo synn wǽre they tried to find out what the sin would be; (4a) w.prep. to enquire about; gé sécaþ of þisse; (5) to try to learn by asking, to ask, ask for, inquire; hé þá Dryhtnes willan sóhte he tried to learn what was the will of the Lord; \sécanon/tó look to for, expect from; 2. to go or come to; (1) to seek a person, to visit, go to; [Ger besuchen]; þá hé þone cyning sóhte when he visited the king; (1a) to seek a person for protection, to take refuge with a person; gif hwilc þéof oþþe réafere gesóhte þone cyning if any thief or reaver took refuge with the king; (2) to seek a place, to visit, resort to; híe þider sóhton they resorted thither; gif híe ǽnigne feld sécan woldon if they should attempt to come into the open country; (3) to go, move, proceed; (4) approach, attain to; 3. to seek with hostile intent (as in to seek a person's life), to try to get at, to go to attack; híe sóhton míne sáwle they tried to get at my soul; 3a. to attack, pursue, follow; 4. see sýcan
Old to modern English dictionary. 2013.