this word is found in its præterite forms. These are, in Middle High German, streich; New High German, strich; Middle Dutch, strêc; Modern Dutch, strîk. Originally it must have been referable to the ninth class.

Eleventh Class.

[§ 374]. In this class we first find the secondary forms accounted for by the difference of form between the singular and plural numbers. The change is from the i in bite to the o in note, and the i in pit. Sometimes it is from the i in bit to the a in bat. The Anglo-Saxon conjugation (A) may be compared with the present English (B).

A.

Present. Præterite sing. Præterite plur.
Scine (shine) Sceán (I shone) Scinon (we shone).
Arise (arise) Arás (I arose) Arison (we arose).
Smite (smite) Smát (I smote) Smiton (we smite).

B.

Present. Præt.—Sing. form. Præt.—Pl. form.
Rise Rose [[51]]Ris.
Abide Abode
Shine Shone
Smite Smote Smit.
Ride Rode [[51]]Rid.
Stride Strode Strid.
Slide [[51]]Slode Slid.
Glide [[51]]Glode
Chide [[51]]Chode
Drive Drove [[51]]Driv.
Thrive Throve [[51]]Thriv.
Strive Strove
Write Wrote Writ.
Climb Clomb
Slit [[51]]Slat Slit.
Bite [[51]]Bat Bit.

On this list we may make the following observations and statements.

1. That, with the exception of the word slit, the i is sounded as a diphthong.