Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Thane
Thane
(thān)
, Noun.
[OE.
thein
, þein
, AS. þegen
, þegn
; akin to OHG. degan
a follower, warrior, boy, MHG. degen
a hero, G. degen
hero, soldier, Icel. þegn
a thane, a freeman; probably akin to Gr. τέκνον
a child, τίκτειν
to bear, beget, or perhaps to Goth. þius
servant, AS. þeów
, G. dienen
to serve.] A dignitary under the Anglo-Saxons and Danes in England. Of these there were two orders, the king’s thanes, who attended the kings in their courts and held lands immediately of them, and the ordinary thanes, who were lords of manors and who had particular jurisdiction within their limits. After the Conquest, this title was disused, and
baron
took its place. ☞ Among the ancient Scots,
thane
was a title of honor, which seems gradually to have declined in its significance. Jamieson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Thane
THANE
,Noun.