NYT Dictionary

THANE

/θeɪn/
NounTHAYNGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026

Meaning

A rank of nobility in pre-Norman England, roughly equivalent to baron.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English theyn, thein, þein, from Old English þæġn, þeġen, þeġn, from Proto-West Germanic *þegn (“man, warrior”), from Proto-Germanic *þegnaz (“man, warrior”), from Proto-Indo-European *teḱ- (“to give birth”); akin to Dutch degen, German Degen, Old Norse þegn and Ancient Greek τέκνον (téknon, “child”).

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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