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

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

Conjugation

Conjugation of *theen* (strong class 2)
	present tense	past tense
infinitive	(to) theen, thee

1st-person singular	thee	thew
2nd-person singular	theest	thowe, thew
3rd-person singular	theeth	thew
subjunctive singular	thee	thowe¹
imperative singular	thee	—

plural²	theen, thee	thowen, thowe
imperative plural	theeth, thee	—

participles	theynge, theende	thowen, thowe

¹ Replaced by the indicative in later Middle English.
² 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.