ÞeirÞærÞau

þeirþærþau refers to a specific set of Old English demonstrative pronouns that indicate distance, functioning similarly to "those" in modern English. The term itself is a modern construct to group these related forms together for linguistic study. þeir is the masculine plural form, meaning "those" when referring to male entities. þær is the feminine plural form, meaning "those" when referring to female entities. þau is the neuter plural form, meaning "those" when referring to neuter entities.

These pronouns are crucial for understanding sentence structure and the declension of Old English nouns and adjectives. They agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify or replace. The distinction between these three forms highlights the grammatical complexity of Old English, where gender played a more significant role in syntax than in modern English. Their usage is essential for accurately translating and comprehending Old English texts, providing a clear way to point to multiple items or individuals at a distance. The existence of these distinct forms reflects a systematic approach to specifying plurality and proximity within the language.