THANE


Meaning of THANE in English

n. hist. 1 a man who held land from an English king or other superior by military service, ranking between ordinary freemen and hereditary nobles. 2 a man who held land from a Scottish king and ranked with an earl's son; the chief of a clan. thanedom n.

[ OE theg(e)n servant, soldier f. Gmc ]

Concise Oxford English dictionary.      Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка.