spunne

Spunne is an archaic or historical spelling of the English verb to spin. It is not a separate modern word but a variant form that appears in some Middle English and Early Modern English texts. The use of an -e ending in English spelling was common before standardization, and "spunne" reflects the broader orthographic variation of that period.

Etymology and linguistic context. The form is related to the Old English verb spinnan, from which the modern English verb spin derives. In the transition from Old English to Middle English and into Early Modern English, spelling varied widely, producing forms such as spunne alongside other variants. The modern standard forms are spin (present) and spun (past tense and past participle), with "spunne" now considered obsolete.

Usage and status. Today, spunne is encountered only in historical texts, facsimiles, glossaries, and linguistic discussions that document spelling variation. It is not used in contemporary English, and most dictionaries of modern English list it as an obsolete variant or as a historical orthographic note rather than a current lexical entry. The existence of such forms illustrates how English orthography was provisional and fluid before standardization.

Related topics. Spinning as a craft, the verb spin, and the historical development of English spelling practices are relevant to understanding why forms like spunne appeared. For further reading, sources on Middle English spelling variation and Old English etymology provide broader context for the evolution of the word and its variants.