Re: "didst build" and "buildest" [was: Re: Strunketh and Whiteth Reloaded]

On Tue, 04 Jul 2006 18:18:11 GMT, Bob Cunningham
<exw6sxq@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> said:

On 4 Jul 2006 08:06:30 -0700, "Philip Navarro"
<newsman@xxxxxxxxxxx> said:

[...]

I remain perplexed by one thing. In the KJV, are the auxiliary verbs
"didst" and "dost" used exclusively for emphasis, or can they be used
with a main verb to the same effect as its simple form? For example,
can one write "thou didst build" rather than "thou builtst," simply
because he thinks the former sounds better? I have googled, but so far
can't find guidance on this. I'd appreciate any help!

Sorry, I somehow managed to read "buildist" for "builtst".

[...]

Offhand, I don't know what the archaic past of "build" would
be. It was probably often "builded", but with altered
spelling. I see in the _Oxford English Dictionary_:

1480 CAXTON Descr. Brit. 13 He bylded Caunterbury.

1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 138b, Jerico, Hay,
and Gabaon, whiche ye pagans buylded.

But

c1400 MANDEVILLE 98 [He] destroyed it [Jerico] and
cursed it, and alle hem that bylled it a?en.

For what it's worth, see also a Summer Doldrums Competition
item at
http://alt-usage-english.org/sdc2003/questions31_68.html .

Famous niece

[...]

A: Julia Ward Howe (Battle Hymn of the Republic,
Builded and writ are in the lyrics)

.

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