In respect to the four forms in question, viz., wit, wot, wiss, wist; the first seems to be the root; the second a strong præterite regularly formed, but used (like οἶδα in Greek) with a present sense; the third a weak præterite, of which the -t has been ejected by a euphonic process, used also with a
present sense; the fourth is a second singular from wiss after the manner of wert from were, a second singular from wit after the manner of must, a secondary præterite from wiss, or finally, the form wisse, anterior to the operation of the euphonic process that ejected the -t.
Do.—In the phrase this will do=this will answer the purpose, the word do is wholly different from the word do, meaning to act. In the first case it is equivalent to the Latin valere; in the second to the Latin facere. Of the first the Anglo-Saxon inflection is deáh, dugon, dohte, dohtest, &c. Of the second it is dó, dóð, dyde, &c. I doubt whether the præterite did, as equivalent to valebat=was good for, is correct. In the phrase it did for him=it finished him, either meaning may be allowed.
In the present Danish they write duger, but say duer: as duger et noget?=Is it worth anything? pronounced dooer deh note? This accounts for the ejection of the g. The Anglo-Saxon form deah does the same.
In respect to the præterite of do=facio, difficulties present themselves.
Is the word weak?—This is the view that arises from the form did. The participle done traverses this view.
Is the word strong?—In favour of this notion we have the English participle done, and the præterite second singular in Old High German tâti. Against it are the Old Saxon dédos, and the Anglo-Saxon dydest, as second singulars.
Is there a reduplication?—If this were the case, we might assume such a form as dôan, dáidô, for the Mœso-Gothic. This view, however, is traversed by the substantival forms dêds, Mœso-Gothic; tât, Old High German; dæd, Anglo-Saxon; which show that the second -d is part of the original word.
The true nature of the form did has yet to be exhibited.—See Deutsche Grammatik, i. 1041.
Mind—mind and do so and so.—In this sentence the word mind is wholly different from the noun mind. The Anglo-Saxon forms are geman, gemanst, gemunon, without the -d; this letter occurring only in the præterite tense (gemunde,