theen

Middle English

Alternative forms

• ðen, the, thee, theo, theon, theyn, þe, þeen, þene

Etymology

From Old English þēon (strong class 1), from Proto-Germanic *þinhaną (strong class 3); a cognate of Middle Dutch diën. In later Old English, þēon changed to strong class 2 on the model of tēon, meaning the past participle became þogen; in Middle English, the -g- vocalised to -w-, resulting in a form thowen. Past singular forms in -w- were then analogically created on the basis of this past participle (see the inflection table below).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈθeːən/, /θeːn/

Verb

theen

1. To thrive, prosper, flourish, experience success, wealth, or prosperity.
   1. (in curses, oaths)
      • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Pardoners Prologue”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC, folio lxix, verso:

        So mote i theen, thow art a proper man,
        [...]

        As sure as i hope to prosper (By Jove! / Marry! / Truly, / ...), you are a proper fellow,
        [...]

2. To expand, increase, or become grown.
3. (rare, Early Middle English) To induce prosperity.

Conjugation

Conjugation of theen (strong class 2)

infinitive	(to) theen, thee
	present tense	past tense
1st-person singular	thee	thew
2nd-person singular	theest	thowe1
3rd-person singular	theeth	thew
subjunctive singular	thee	thowe2
imperative singular		—
plural3	theen, thee	thowen, thowe
imperative plural	theeth, thee	—
participles	theynge, theende	thowen, thowe

¹ Later replaced by the 1st-/3rd-person singular or thewest.
² Later replaced by the indicative.
³ Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants

• English: thee (obsolete or dialectal)
• Scots: thee, the

References

• “thẹ̄n, v.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 5 September 2018.