Etymograph

English

abthane

Abthane comes from Medieval Latin abthania.

  1. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500abthania
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1751abthane

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Medieval Latinc. 600–1500abthania
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1751abthane

Earliest quotation: 1751, George Buchanan, History of Scotland: “But now a-days the English Speech getting the better…”

The story

There are two etymologies suggested for this word, each peculiar to a different suggested meaning. One is that it is from an English or Scottish form of Medieval Latin abthania or Gaelic abdhaiiie, meaning abbacy, hence an officer of the abbot. The other is that it is derived from Latin abbās (‘father’) and Middle English thane, hence an overlord of regional thanes.

Every English word from Medieval Latin abthania

Today it means

noun A title used in medieval Scotland.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Medieval Latin abthania / abthane

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