English
syne
Syne comes from Middle English sithen ‘since’, from Old English siþþan ‘afterwards, subsequently’, and ultimately from þon.
- Old Englishc. 450–1150þon‘subsequent to that’
- Old English, derivedc. 450–1150siþþan‘afterwards, subsequently’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500sithen‘since’
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500synecontracted form of sithen
- Englishearliest quotation 1808same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history not traced here.
Lineage
- Old Englishc. 450–1150þon‘subsequent to that’
- Old English, derivedc. 450–1150siþþan‘afterwards, subsequently’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500sithen‘since’
- Middle English, derivedc. 1150–1500synecontracted form of sithen
- Englishearliest quotation 1808same form
Earliest quotation: 1808, Allan Ramsay, The Gentle Sheperd: “I eat, drink, and sleep as sound as I…”
Linked words
through Middle English sithen ‘since’
Today it means
adv Subsequently; then.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old English þon / syne