þynne

þynne is a word found in Old English and Middle English, meaning "thin". It describes something having little thickness or depth, or a narrowness in extent. The term was used in various contexts, from describing physical objects to abstract qualities. For instance, it could refer to thin cloth, a thin person, or even a thin margin in a document. The pronunciation of þynne involved the voiceless dental fricative sound represented by the letter þ (thorn), similar to the 'th' in "thin" today.

The word evolved over time, with variations in spelling appearing in different manuscripts and periods. As the English language developed, þynne gradually transitioned into the modern English word "thin". The archaic letter þ was eventually replaced by 'th', and the spelling standardized. Despite the changes in form and pronunciation, the core meaning of "thinness" or "slenderness" has remained consistent. Examples of its usage can be found in historical texts, offering a glimpse into the vocabulary and descriptive language of earlier eras. The etymology of þynne can be traced back to Proto-Germanic roots, highlighting its long history within the Germanic language family.