methinks

methinks
methinks (v.) O.E. me þyncð "it seems to me," from ME (Cf. me) (pron.), dative of I, + þyncð, third person singular of þyncan "to seem," reflecting the Old English distinction between þyncan "to seem" and related þencan "to think," which bedevils modern students of the language (see THINK (Cf. think)). The two thinks were constantly confused, then finally merged, in Middle English. Related: Methought.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Methinks — Me*thinks , v. impers. [imp. {Methought}.] [AS. [thorn]yncan to seem, m[=e] [thorn]ynce[eth], m[=e] [thorn][=u]hte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G. d[ u]nken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See {Me}, and {Think}.] It seems to me; …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • methinks — ► VERB (past methought) archaic or humorous ▪ it seems to me. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • methinks — [mē thiŋks′] v.impersonal pt.methought [ME me thinketh < OE me thyncth < me, me, to me + thyncth, it seems < thyncan, to seem: see THINK2] Archaic it seems to me …   English World dictionary

  • methinks — me|thinks [mıˈθıŋks] v past tense methought [ ˈθo:t US ˈθo:t] [T] old use [: Old English; Origin: me thincth it seems to me , from thyncan to seem ] I think ▪ Methinks he is not mistaken …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • methinks — I think. It s raining outside. Methinks I m going to get my coat …   Dictionary of american slang

  • methinks — I think. It s raining outside. Methinks I m going to get my coat …   Dictionary of american slang

  • methinks — verb past tense methought, old use or humorous I think: a holiday somewhere nice, Florida methinks …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • methinks — verb impersonal (past methought) Etymology: Middle English me thinketh, from Old English mē thincth, from mē (dative of ic I) + thincth seems, from thyncan to seem more at i, think Date: before 12th century archaic it seems to me …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • methinks — /mi thingks /, v. impers.; pt. methought. Archaic. it seems to me. [bef. 900; ME me thinketh, OE me thyncth. See ME, THINK2, S2] * * * …   Universalium

  • methinks — me|thinks [ mi θıŋks ] verb an old word meaning I think. This is sometimes still used in a humorous way …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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