þankaz

þankaz is a Proto-Germanic word believed to mean "thought," "idea," or "intention." It is reconstructed from evidence in the Germanic languages and is thought to be the root of many modern words related to thinking and the mind.

The word þankaz is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *tenk-, which also has meanings related to "thinking" or "forming." This root is found in various Indo-European languages, suggesting a deep and ancient origin for the concept of thought.

In Old English, the cognate word was þoht, which evolved into the modern English "thought." Similarly, in Old Norse, the word was *þankr*, giving rise to modern Scandinavian words like Danish "tank" and Swedish "tanke," both meaning "tank" or "thought." German also has a related word, "Gedanke," meaning "thought."

Linguists reconstruct þankaz based on regular sound correspondences between the Germanic languages. While no direct written attestation of Proto-Germanic exists, the systematic comparison of related words across daughter languages allows for the reconstruction of ancestral forms. The presence of the initial "þ" sound (thorn) is characteristic of early Germanic languages. The etymology of þankaz highlights the shared linguistic heritage of the Germanic peoples and the fundamental importance of the concept of thought across their cultures.