Pronunciation: [ðˈa͡ɪn] (IPA) 
Thine is a pronoun that means "yours." The spelling of thine may seem unusual, but it follows a pattern of archaic or formal English. The IPA phonetic transcription of thine is /ðaɪn/, with the "th" sound being voiced and the "i" pronounced as a long "i" sound. The "e" at the end of the word is also silent. While thine is not commonly used in modern English, it can be found in literature or in religious texts.
Thine is a possessive pronoun that is used to denote ownership or possession of something. It is an archaic form of the pronoun "your," used specifically in the second person singular or plural.
Derived from the Old English word "thīn," meaning "your" or "yours," thine is used to indicate that the object or possession belongs to the person or people being addressed.
The use of thine is predominantly found in old literature, poetry, and religious texts, particularly those written in Early Modern English. It adds a touch of formality, elegance, and antiquity to the language.
For example:
- "I am going to thine house later today" expresses that the speaker is going to the house that belongs to the person being addressed.
- "Thine eyes are beautiful" suggests that the eyes being discussed belong to the person being spoken to.
Thine is typically used before singular nouns, noun phrases, or adjectives that begin with a vowel sound. If the word following thine begins with a consonant sound, it is more appropriate to use "your" instead. However, this distinction can vary depending on the specific dialect or style of English being used.
In modern English, the use of thine has largely fallen out of common usage, and its usage is now mostly restricted to literary or poetic contexts.
The poss. case of the pron. thou; of or belonging to thee.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "thine" comes from the Old English word "þīn", which means "your" or "yours". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "þīnaz", meaning "thy" or "thine". This word also existed in Old Norse as "þín", and in Old High German as "dīn". Ultimately, the etymology traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *toi-, meaning "thou" or "you". Over time, the word "thine" became less commonly used, and "your" took its place as the possessive form of "you". However, "thine" is still occasionally used in poetic or archaic contexts in Modern English.
