noun
or thegn ˈthān
( -s )
Etymology: thane from Middle English theyn, thayn, from Old English thegn; thegn from Old English; akin to Old Saxon & Old High German thegan warrior, freeman, thane, Old Norse thegn freeman, thane, Greek teknon child, tiktein to give birth to, beget, Sanskrit takman offspring, child; basic meaning: to beget, bear
1. : a retainer or free servant of a lord ; specifically : one holding lands from the king or other superior in Anglo-Saxon England and performing military and various other governmental services
2.
a. : one holding land of a Scottish king
b. : the chief of a Scottish clan
c. : a Scots peer or noble