ofer

Alternative forms

• ofor, ober

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈo.fer/, [ˈo.ver]

Adverb

ofer

1. over, above
2. across

Preposition

ofer

1. over, above
   • "Gospel of Saint Luke", chapter 10, verse 19

     And nū ic sealde ēow ānweald tō tredenne ofer nǣddran. And snacan and ofer ǣlc fēondes mæġen. And nān þing ēow ne derað...

     And now I gave you power to tread over adders and snakes and over each fiends' force. And no thing harms you.

   • "Gospel of Saint Luke", chapter 19, verse 14

     Wē nyllað þ þēs ofer ūs rīxie...

     We do not want that this rule over us.

   • late 9th century, King Alfred's translation of Saint Augustine's Soliloquies

     Nys nāht ofor hyne...

     Nothing is above Him...

2. over, Indicating relative status, authority, or power
   • Exeter Book, Chrtist A, The Navitivity

     ...Ne lǣt awyrġde ofer us onwald āgan...

     Let not the accursed have power over us...

3. across
4. beside (+accusative)
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Saint Agnes, Virgin"

     He gesette his tacn on minum nebbe þæt ic nænne oðerne ofer hine ne lufige.

     He hath set His token upon my face that I should love none other beside Him.

5. beyond
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Saint Basilius, Bishop"

     Bide nu æt gode þæt ic grecisc cunne. Þa cwæþ se biscop him to, þu bæde ofer mine mæðe ac uton swa þeah biddan þas bena æt gode.

     Pray now to God that I may know Greek. Pray now to God that I may know Greek. Then said the Bishop to him, 'Thou hast asked beyond my power, but let us, nevertheless, ask this boon of God.'

   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "The Prayer of Moses (Mid-Lent)"

     Swa swa sume menn doð þe dyslice fæstað ofer heora mihte on gemænelicum lenctene, swa swa we sylfe gesawon oðþæt hi seoce wurdon.

     Even as some men do who foolishly fast beyond their strength in the catholic Lent, even as we ourselves have seen, until they have fallen sick.

Descendants

• Middle English: over
  • English: over
  • Geordie English: ower
  • Scots: ower
  • Yola: ower, oer, owr

Alternative forms

• ōfor, ōbr

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈoː.fer/, [ˈoː.ver]

Noun

ōfer m

2. border, edge; specifically, shore, riverbank

Derived terms