þegen

Alternative forms

• þeġn, þēn

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *þegnaz (“man, warrior”), from Proto-Indo-European *teke- (“give birth”). Cognate with Old Saxon þegan (“man”) (Dutch degen), English thane, Old High German degan (“boy, servant, hero”) (German Degen (“warrior”)), Old Norse þegn (“freeman”); and, from Indo-European, with Ancient Greek τέκνον (téknon, “child”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈθejen/

Noun

þeġen m

1. servant
2. one serving a particular office: officer, minister; soldier
3. retainer
4. one in service to the king or other superior; thane (in later use suggesting an official title or rank)
5. (poetic) man, warrior, hero