abthane

The story

1. Middle English · derived fromthane
2. Latin · derived fromabbās“father”
3. Medieval Latin · derived fromabthania
4. English todayabthane

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.

Words from the same roots