DictionaryRoot: rinnan

Old English

rinnan

run or flow

Forms

rinnan
ran- — A changed form used for past action.
runn- — Another changed form that influenced later English.

Origin

An inherited Germanic verb with older Indo-European ancestry.

Note

Modern run combines forms from more than one closely related Old English verb.

3 / 3

noun / adjective

running

The functioning or management of something.

She oversees the daily running of the store.

Etymology

runnOld Englishrun or flow

+ingEnglishan action or activity

Run developed the sense of a machine operating and a person directing operations. Running names that continued functioning or management.

More examples

Fresh oil helps ensure the engine's smooth running.
He handles the running costs of the building.
The committee takes responsibility for running expenses.

Forms

running

Similar words

operation: Emphasizes how something functions.
management: Emphasizes organizing and directing rather than mere functioning.