wyrcan

Old English[edit]

wyrċan

to make
- The Dialogues of Solomon and Saturn
  Saga mē, hū lange worhte man Noes earce?
  Tell me, how long were they making Noe's ark?
- 9th century, Bald's Leechbook vol. I
  Mintan wel ġetrifulode menġ wiþ huniġ, wyrċ tō lȳtlum clīewene, lǣt forswelgan.
  Mix well-ground mint with honey, make it into a little ball, have it swallowed.
to work
- c. 973, Æthelwold, translation of the Rule of Saint Benedict
  Ān and fīftiġ. Be þām ġebrōðrum þe feorr fram ċirican wyrċaþ.
  51. On the brothers who work far from church.

An alternative metathetic past tense stem of wroht-/ġewroht also occurs.

Conjugation of wyrċan (weak class 1)

Middle English: werchen, wirchen, werken
- English: work, wrought (from past participle worhte)
- Scots: wark, wirk