n., v. (infin.)
(1) (n.) ‘misfortune’; (2) (v., infin.) ‘to unfasten’
(Modern English unhap)The b-verse at Gaw 2511 has been construed in two different ways, resulting in two different identifications. Both suggested etymons involve the possibility of ON input: ‘For non may hyden his harme, bot vnhap ne may hit’ (2511). Madden (followed by e.g. Morris, GDS, CA, Moorman, Jones, Vant (2511n), Menner (1926: 399–400)) takes vnhap here as a n., in which case it is identical with vnhap (1) at Gaw 438, i.e. formed on ME hap, probably derived from the ON n. represented by OIcel happ ‘good luck, chance’ (or directly from the ON form with negative prefix, cp. OIcel óhapp ‘bad fortune’). (2) TG (2511n, followed by e.g. Winny, Barron, AW, PS) understand vnhap instead as a v. 'to unfasten' (on the interpretation of the line, see further Dance), which would be a compound of OE un- + ME happen ‘to envelop, wrap’ (etc.), a word whose etymology is very difficult but which may involve ON input (see happe).
PGmc Ancestor
(1) *xap(p)-; (2) *haf-, *hasp-, or *haft-
Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)
(1) óhapp ‘bad fortune’
(ONP (1) óhapp; (2) haft (sb.), hefta (vb.))
Other Scandinavian Reflexes
(1) Far happ, Icel happ, Norw happ, Sw dial happ; (2) Far hefta, Icel hefta, Norw hefta, Dan hefte, Sw häfta
OE Cognate
(1) cp. gehæp and gehæplic (adj.) ‘fit, convenient, opportune'; (2) ?hæpse (n.) 'hasp, fastening' or hæftan ‘to bind, fetter; arrest, detain, imprison; condemn’
Phonological and morphological markers
Summary category
DD2
(1) ME unhap is common and widespread from early ME. (2) MED has a small number of citations of happen (v.2), from the late 14c. onwards. The overwhelming majority are in N and E texts, with sense (1) (‘to cover over, attach by wrapping, embrace’) attested mainly in alliterative verse.
Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus
Gaw 2511