Old English

Alternative forms

• æfnan

Verb

efnan

1. to carry out; do; perform; execute; labour; achieve; show; fulfill.
2. to cause; endure; suffer.

Etymology 2

From Proto-Germanic *ebnaijaną ‎(“to make level, make even”).

Verb

efnan

1. to throw down; prostrate; level; lay low; bring to a level with.
2. to make even; level.
3. to liken; compare.