The spelling of the word "thous" may appear confusing to some readers. However, the pronunciation is straightforward when using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The IPA for this word is /θaʊs/ which breaks down the pronunciation into the two phonemes of /θ/ and /aʊ/ (represented by the vowel sound in "now"). This corresponds with the actual pronunciation of the word, which is similar to the word "house" with a "th" sound at the beginning. The spelling of "thous" may be uncommon, but understanding its pronunciation through phonetics can make it easier to read and use in conversation.
Thous is a term that originates from the Old English language and refers to the plural form of the word "thou." In the English language, "thou" was commonly used as the second person singular pronoun to address an individual in a casual or familiar manner. However, when addressing multiple individuals using the second person pronoun, "thou" is replaced by its plural form "thous."
Thous can be considered an archaic and obsolete term in modern English usage, as the second person singular pronoun "thou" has largely fallen out of common usage. Instead, the pronoun "you" is used both to address an individual and multiple individuals, regardless of the level of formality.
The usage of thous can be found in literature, particularly in texts from the Middle English period. It is also seen in religious texts, such as the King James Version of the Bible, which was published in 1611.
In summary, thous is the plural form of the archaic second person singular pronoun "thou." While it is no longer commonly used in modern English, it can be found in historical or religious texts, providing insights into the linguistic practices of previous eras.