THEE Meaning and
Definition
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"Thee" is a second-person singular pronoun in the English language, primarily referring to one individual, used in both the nominative (subject) and accusative (object) cases. Derived from Old English, "thee" is classified as an archaic or formal form of "you." It functions as an intimate or familiar form of address, indicating a close relationship between the speaker and the person being addressed.
In terms of usage, "thee" typically appears in contexts where respect, affection, or deference is intended. Historically, "thee" was widely used in literature, poetry, and religious texts, particularly during the Middle English period when it thrived. Shakespearean plays are renowned for preserving and popularizing the usage of "thee." Nowadays, the term has become relatively rarer in contemporary English, with "you" serving as the more prevalent form of direct address regardless of familiarity or distance.
The distinct grammatical role of "thee" as an object does not change its pronunciation, which is typically represented as /ði:/ or /ðiː/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). It should be noted that "thee" is distinct from the archaic possessive form "thy" and its corresponding subject form "thou," both of which were used alongside "thee" during the same historical periods.
Overall, "thee" embodies a singular pronoun that signifies an intimate, familiar, or venerable address, often found in older literature, poetry, or religious texts. While less prevalent in contemporary usage, it remains an important part of the evolution and understanding of the English language.
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The objective case of thou, which see.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for THEE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for THEE
Etymology of THEE
The word "thee" is a form of the second person singular pronoun in English, which is used to refer to a person or object as the direct object or indirect object of a verb or preposition. Its etymology can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled "þē" or "þe", and it was derived from the Old English pronoun "þū", meaning "thou".
Over time, the pronunciation of "þē" or "þe" evolved, and the initial "th" sound changed to "t", resulting in the spelling and pronunciation of "thee". However, unlike "thou", which was gradually replaced by the pronoun "you" in modern English, "thee" continued to be used as a singular pronoun in certain grammatical contexts.
Idioms with the word THEE
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get thee behind me
The idiom "get thee behind me" is a phrase originated from the Bible, specifically from the New Testament, in the book of Matthew (16:23). It is an expression used to denote a strong rejection or resistance towards someone or something that tempts or influences in a negative or undesirable way. It is often used to indicate a determination to resist temptation, evil, or any harmful or negative influence.
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fare thee well
The idiom "fare thee well" means to do something in the best possible way or to perform something to an exceptionally high standard. It can also mean to say goodbye to someone in a sincere and heartfelt manner, often indicating that there may not be another meeting in the foreseeable future.
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claw me, claw thee
Similar spelling words for THEE
- Thau,
- They,
- tho,
- thou,
- theia,
- Thuy,
- thaw,
- Thi,
- thea,
- tho',
- thai,
- 8th,
- The,
- Thao,
- 5th,
- 6th,
- 9th,
- 4th,
- th,
- Thu,
- 7th,
- Theo,
- Thy.
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