noun
thane
thayn
noun
1
A nobleman in Anglo-Saxon and early medieval England, ranking roughly like a baron.
"Macbeth was named Thane of Cawdor in Shakespeare's play."
"The thane held land granted to him by the king in exchange for military service."
How to Use Thane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical English noble rank, below an earl.
Word Forms
thanes plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “thane”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Macbeth was named _____ of Cawdor in Shakespeare's play.
Etymology
From Old English þegn, "man" or "warrior," related to a word for a nobleman's retainer.