noun
thane
thayn
Thane (noun) means a nobleman in Anglo-Saxon and early medieval England, ranking roughly like a baron. Example: “Macbeth was named Thane of Cawdor in Shakespeare's play.”
noun
1
A nobleman in Anglo-Saxon and early medieval England, ranking roughly like a baron.
"Macbeth was named Thane of Cawdor in Shakespeare's play."
"The thane held land granted to him by the king in exchange for military service."
How to use thane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical English noble rank, below an earl.
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Word forms
- Plural
- thanes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Macbeth was named _____ of Cawdor in Shakespeare's play.
Etymology
From Old English þegn, "man" or "warrior," related to a word for a nobleman's retainer.
Rhymes for thane
See all rhymes for thane →Frequently asked questions
What does “thane” mean?
The word “thane” means a nobleman in Anglo-Saxon and early medieval England, ranking roughly like a baron. In plain terms, a historical English noble rank, below an earl.
How do you pronounce “thane”?
“Thane” is pronounced thayn (/θeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “thane” in a sentence?
Here is “thane” used in a sentence: “Macbeth was named Thane of Cawdor in Shakespeare's play.”
What part of speech is “thane”?
“Thane” is a noun.
Where does the word “thane” come from?
The word “thane” comes from Old English. From Old English þegn, "man" or "warrior," related to a word for a nobleman's retainer.
