ween Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ween intransitive verb

Etymology

OE. wenen, AS. wnan, fr. wn hope, expectation, opinion; akin to D. waan, OFries. wn, OS. & OHG. wan, G. wahn delusion, Icel. van hope, expectation, Goth. wns, and D. wanen to fancy, G. wähnen, Icel. vana to hope, Goth. wnjan, and perhaps to E. winsome, wish.

Definitions

1. To think; to imagine; to fancy. Obs. or Poetic Spenser. Milton.

   I have lost more than thou wenest. Chaucer.

   For well I ween, Never before in the bowers of light Had the form of an earthly fay been seen. J. R. Drake.

   Though never a dream the roses sent Of science or love's compliment, I ween they smelt as sweet. Mrs. Browning.