Etymology of think by etymonline (2024)

Old English þencan "imagine, conceive in the mind; consider, meditate, remember; intend, wish, desire" (past tense þohte, past participle geþoht), probably originally "cause to appear to oneself," from Proto-Germanic *thankjan (source also of Old Frisian thinka, Old Saxon thenkian, Old High German denchen, German denken, Old Norse þekkja, Gothic þagkjan).

Old English þencan is the causative form of the distinct Old English verb þyncan "to seem, to appear" (past tense þuhte, past participle geþuht), from Proto-Germanic *thunkjan (source also of German dünken, däuchte). Both are from PIE *tong- "to think, feel" which also is the root of thought and thank.

The two Old English words converged in Middle English and þyncan "to seem" was absorbed, except for its preservation in archaic methinks "it seems to me."

As a noun, think, "act of prolonged thinking," is attested by 1834. The figurative thinking cap is attested from 1839.

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Etymology of think by etymonline (2024)

FAQs

Etymology of think by etymonline? ›

think (v.) Middle English thinken, a convergence of two Old English verbs from the same prehistoric source but with distinct forms and senses. Thinken (1) "present the appearance of (something)" is from Old English þyncan, þincan. Thinken (2), "exercise the faculty of reason, cogitate" is from Old English þencan.

What is the origin of the word think? ›

From Middle English thinken, thynken, thenken, thenchen, from Old English þenċan, from Proto-West Germanic *þankijan, from Proto-Germanic *þankijaną (“to think”), from Proto-Indo-European *teng- (“to think, feel, know”).

What is the Latin root word for to think? ›

Cogitate means “to think carefully and seriously about something,” and it comes from the Latin cogitare (“to think”), itself formed from the combination of ¬co- meaning “together” and agitare meaning “to drive” or “to agitate”—the root of agitate in English and, in this case, another figurative use of language, since ...

What root word expresses thinking? ›

What is the origin of the word "thinking"? Because this is a gerund form of “think”, I will provide the etymology of “think”. It is from PIE (Proto-Indo-European) *tong- “to think, feel”, which became Proto-Germanic *thunkjan, which became Old English þyncan “to seem, to appear”.

What is the medieval word for think? ›

thinken - Middle English Compendium.

What is the literal meaning of think? ›

1. a. : to exercise the powers of judgment, conception, or inference : reason. b. : to have in the mind or call to mind a thought.

What is the full meaning of think? ›

to have a conscious mind, to some extent of reasoning, remembering experiences, making rational decisions, etc. to employ one's mind rationally and objectively in evaluating or dealing with a given situation: Think carefully before you begin.

What is the Greek root word for thought? ›

Logos - Longer definition: The Greek word logos (traditionally meaning word, thought, principle, or speech) has been used among both philosophers and theologians.

What is the Greek root word for mind? ›

Phronema is a transliteration of the Greek word φρόνημα, which has the meanings of "mind", "spirit", "thought", "purpose", "will", and can have either a positive meaning ("high spirit", "resolution", "pride") or a bad sense ("presumption", "arrogance").

What is the root word for think and thank? ›

Etymology 1

From Middle English thank, from Old English þanc (“thought, favour, grace, pleasure, satisfaction, thanks”), from Proto-Germanic *þankaz (“thought, remembrance, gratitude”), from Proto-Indo-European *tong-, *teng- (“to think”).

What is the old name for thought? ›

The word thought comes from Old English þoht, or geþoht, from the stem of þencan "to conceive of in the mind, consider".

What is the difference between thought and thinking? ›

The main difference is that, although thoughts are self-arising, thinking is a choice. It is something you can choose to engage in or not. What usually happens is that a self-arising thought triggers a story. The thought/feeling, “I feel sad” appears by itself in your head and triggers a commentary, “This is bad.

What do you call a person who thinks deeply? ›

A thinker is a person who spends a lot of time thinking deeply about important things, especially someone who is famous for thinking of new or interesting ideas. ... some of the world's greatest thinkers. Synonyms: philosopher, intellect [informal], wise man, sage More Synonyms of thinker.

What is the ancient Roman word for mind? ›

In ancient Roman religion, Mens, also known as Mens Bona (Latin for "Good Mind"), was the personification of thought, consciousness and the mind, and also of "right-thinking".

What is the word for think in the future? ›

foresight Add to list Share.

What is the Cambridge Dictionary definition of think? ›

think verb (CONSIDER)

to believe something or have an opinion or idea: [ + (that) ] I think (that) I've met you before. I don't think Emma will get the job.

What is the root word of think and thank? ›

Etymology 1

From Middle English thank, from Old English þanc (“thought, favour, grace, pleasure, satisfaction, thanks”), from Proto-Germanic *þankaz (“thought, remembrance, gratitude”), from Proto-Indo-European *tong-, *teng- (“to think”).

What is the first form of think? ›

So, let's look at the conjugations of the verb "think." Present tense; "think," "thinks." Past tense, "thought." Past participle, "thought." Progressive or continuous tense, "thinking." "Think," "thinks," "thought," "thought," "thinking." Okay.

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