Main Entry:

thane

Pronunciation:

\ˈthān\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English theyn, from Old English thegn; akin to Old High German thegan thane and perhaps to Greek tiktein to bear, beget

Date:

before 12th century

1: a free retainer of an Anglo-Saxon lord ; especially : one resembling a feudal baron by holding lands of and performing military service for the king2: a Scottish feudal lord

— thane·ship \-ˌship\ noun