thane

Meaning

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

Synonyms

knight

thegn

chevalier

baron

warrior

tribal chief

paladin

cavalier

Pronounced as (IPA)

/θeɪn/

Etymology

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”).