thane

Meaning

A rank of nobility in pre-Norman England, roughly equivalent to baron.

Synonyms

knight

thegn

chevalier

baron

warrior

tribal chief

paladin

cavalier

Translations

βαρώνος

ηγεμόνας

ιππότης

βαρόνος

leenheer

señor feudal

Pronounced as (IPA)

/θeɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: theyn

Inherited from Old English: þæġn

Cognate with Dutch: degen

Cognate with German: Degen

Cognate with Old Norse: þegn

Cognate with Ancient Greek: τέκνον

In summary

From Middle English theyn, thein, þein, from Old English þæġn, þeġen, þegn, 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”).