nyllan

• nillan, nellan

From a contraction of the particle ne (“not”) + willan (“to want”). The same development happened with nytan (“to not know”), nesan (“to not be”), nabban (“to not have”), and nāgan (“to not own”). Cognate with Old Frisian nilla, nella (“to not want”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈnyl.lɑn/, [ˈnyɫ.ɫɑn]

nyllan

1. negation of willan: not to want, not to intend, etc.

   Iċ nolde þās stōwe forlǣtan, ac iċ wisse þæt iċ belīfan ne meahte.

   I did not want to leave this place, but I knew I that could not stay.

   • The Life of Saint Margaret

     Iċ nylle nān word mā of þīnum mūðe ġehīeran.

     I do not want to hear one more word out of your mouth.

2. to refuse

• Middle English: nillen
  • English: nill