teye

Middle English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtei̯(ə)/, /ˈtiː(ə)/
• (Northern) IPA^(key): (earlier) /tei̯/, (later) /teː/

Etymology 1

Inherited from Old English tēag (“cord”), from Proto-West Germanic *taugu, from Proto-Germanic *taugō. The final vowel is generalised from the Old English oblique cases.

Alternative forms

• teȝe, tei, teiȝe, tey, tieghe, tye, tyȝe

Noun

teye (plural *teyes)

1. A cord, rope, chain, or fetter.
2. (nautical) A tye (rope for hoisting or lowering the yard).

Related terms

• teyen
• raketeye

Descendants

• English: tie, tye
  • → Swazi: thayi
• Scots: tie, tee

References

• “tei(e, n.(1).”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Etymology 2

Inherited from Old English tēag (“chest, enclosure”), of unclear origin; but possibly ultimately a semantic development of Etymology 1. A connection to Old Norse teigr (“plot of land”) is semantically attractive, though phonologically difficult.

Alternative forms

• tie, tigh, ty, tye

Noun

teye (plural *teyes)

1. A chest or casket; a strongbox.
2. (not directly attested) An enclosure (enclosed area)

Descendants

• English: tye

References

• “tei(e, n.(2).”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.

Etymology 3

Verb

teye

1. alternative form of teyen