tithe

¹tithe

verb \ˈtīth\

tithedtith·ing

Definition of TITHE

transitive verb

1

: to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of the church

2

: to levy a tithe on

intransitive verb

: to give a tenth of one's income as a tithe

Origin of TITHE

Middle English, from Old English teogothian, from teogotha tenth

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Rhymes with TITHE

blithe, kithe, lithe, scythe, withe, writhe

²tithe

noun

Definition of TITHE

1

: a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment

2

: the obligation represented by individual tithes

3

: tenth; broadly : a small part

4

: a small tax or levy

Origin of TITHE

Middle English, from Old English teogotha tenth; akin to Middle Low German tegede tenth, Old English tīen ten — more at ten

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

tithe

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Contribution of a tenth of one's income for religious purposes. The practice of tithing was established in the Hebrew scriptures and was adopted by the Western Christian church. It was enjoined by eccesiastical law from the 6th century and enforced in Europe by secular law from the 8th century. After the Reformation, tithes continued to be imposed for the benefit of both the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches. Tithes were eventually repealed in France (1789), Ireland (1871), Italy (1887), and England (1936). In Germany support for churches is collected through the personal income tax and distributed according to the individual's religious affiliation. Tithing was never part of U.S. law, but members of certain churches (e.g., the Mormons) are required to tithe, and members of other churches may tithe voluntarily. Tithing was never accepted by the Eastern Orthodox churches.