theyn

Middle English

Etymology 1

Inherited from Old English þeġn, from Proto-West Germanic *þegn, from Proto-Germanic *þegnaz.

Alternative forms

• dain, thain, thayn, thein, þen, þein, þeyn
• ðæin, þægen, þægn, þegen, þegn, þeȝn, þeign (Early Middle English)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /θæi̯n/, /θeːn/

Noun

theyn (plural theynes)

1. A thane; a noble, especially of minor or lesser status.
2. A freeman; one who is not in thraldom or servitude.
3. A servant or attendant; one who serves another.

Derived terms

• lorþein

Descendants

• English: thane
• Scots: thane
• → Irish: taen

References

• “thein, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Etymology 2

Determiner

theyn (subjective pronoun þou)

1. Alternative form of þin (“thy”)

Pronoun

theyn (subjective þou)

1. Alternative form of þin (“thine”)

Etymology 3

Verb

theyn

1. Alternative form of theen