thane Meaning & Definition
/θeɪn/
What Does Thane Mean?
Thane is used as a noun meaning A rank of nobility in pre-Norman England, roughly equivalent to baron. It can also mean A nobleman who held land from a Scottish king.
Thane in Brief
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /θeɪn/ |
| Plural | thanes |
Thane Definition (Noun)
- A rank of nobility in pre-Norman England, roughly equivalent to baron.
- A nobleman who held land from a Scottish king.
Synonyms of Thane
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Thane synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
thane (plural thanes)
Words That Rhyme With Thane
Origin of Thane
From Middle English theyn, thein, þein, from Old English þæġn, þeġen, þeġn, from Proto-West Germanic *þegn (“man, warrior”), from Proto-Germanic *þegnaz (“man, warrior”), from Proto-Indo-European *teḱ- (“to give birth”); akin to Dutch degen, German Degen, Old Norse þegn and Ancient Greek τέκνον (téknon, “child”). The expected standard spelling would be thain; thane is from a Scottish variant and was popularized by writers such as Shakespeare, who used it in his play Macbeth.