I have noticed that some verbs have this "rare" or old form that is no longer used much (if at all). Here are some examples.
- おそる: おそるべき者 → One who is feared
- ほむ: ほむべきお方【かた】 → Seen often in my Japanese Bible describing God; "The one worthy of praise"
- 求【もと】む: 店員を求む → Help wanted
- Were these forms prominently used at some point?
- Why (and possibly, when) did their current forms (
おそれる
,ほめる
, and求める
respectively) become the "standard" and overtake the older forms? - Are they used in other ways in modern Japanese, or only in fixed sayings/situations like these?
- Can you list any other verbs like this? (I know this part is a little open-ended and thus is discouraged according to the site's acceptable questions, but if you know any, and answer the other questions above, throw it in with your answer)