þanc

Old English

Alternative forms

Etymology

    From Proto-Germanic *þankaz, whence also Old Frisian thonk, Old Saxon thank, Old Dutch thank, Old High German danc, and Gothic 𐌸𐌰𐌲𐌺𐍃 (þagks). Old Norse þǫkk, though a feminine ō-stem, is clearly related; probably it was originally a collective of PGmc *þankaz.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /θɑnk/, [θɑŋk]

    Noun

    þanc m

    1. thanks, gratitude
    2. satisfaction, pleasure
    3. thought

    Usage notes

    • Unlike the modern word "thank," sense 1 is usually, though far from always, in the singular.
    • Sense 2 is only attested in a few set phrases such as sumum menn tō þances (“to someone's satisfaction”).
    • Sense 3 is rare in prose. There the related term ġeþōht is usual.

    Declension

    Strong a-stem:

    singular plural
    nominative þanc þancas
    accusative þanc þancas
    genitive þances þanca
    dative þance þancum

    Derived terms

    Descendants

    • English: thank