T-V distinction

noun

The distinction between a formal and an informal second-person pronoun in some languages.

OriginLatin tū →
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Meanings

nounT-V distinction (plural T-V distinctions)

plural T-V distinctions

  1. human sciencesThe distinction between a formal and an informal second-person pronoun in some languages.

Origin

  1. Latintū“thou, singular you”
  2. EnglishT-V distinction

From Latin tū (“thou, singular you”) and vōs (“ye, plural you”).

More words from Latin

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Cite this entry
APA

T-V distinction. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/T-V%20distinction

MLA

“T-V distinction.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/T-V%20distinction. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “T-V distinction,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/T-V%20distinction.

Source: T-V distinction on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.