thou

thou
thou 2nd nominative singular personal pronoun, O.E. þu, from P.Gmc. *thu (Cf. O.Fris. thu, M.Du., M.L.G. du, O.H.G., Ger. du, O.N. þu, Goth. þu), from PIE *tu-, second person singular pronoun (Cf. L. tu, Ir. tu, Welsh ti, Gk. su, Lith. tu, O.C.S. ty, Skt. twa-m). Superseded in M.E. by plural form YOU (Cf. you) (from a different root), but retained in certain dialects (e.g. Philadelphia Quakers). The plural at first was used in addressing superior individuals, later also (to err on the side of propriety) strangers, and ultimately all equals. By c.1450 the use of thou to address inferiors gave it a tinge of insult unless addressed by parents to children, or intimates to one another. Hence the verb meaning "to use 'thou' to a person" (mid-15c.).
Avaunt, caitiff, dost thou thou me! I am come of good kin, I tell thee! ["Hickscorner," c.1530]
A brief history of the second person pronoun in English can be found ↑http://etymonline.com/columns/do-be-thee.htm here.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Thou — hou ([th]ou), pron. [Sing.: nom. {Thou}; poss. {Thy} ([th][imac]) or {Thine} ([th][imac]n); obj. {Thee} ([th][=e]). Pl.: nom. {You} (y[=oo]); poss. {Your} (y[=oo]r) or {Yours} (y[=oo]rz); obj. {You}.] [OE. thou, [thorn]u, AS. [eth][=u], [eth]u;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thou — hou ([th]ou), pron. [Sing.: nom. {Thou}; poss. {Thy} ([th][imac]) or {Thine} ([th][imac]n); obj. {Thee} ([th][=e]). Pl.: nom. {You} (y[=oo]); poss. {Your} (y[=oo]r) or {Yours} (y[=oo]rz); obj. {You}.] [OE. thou, [thorn]u, AS. [eth][=u], [eth]u;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thou — thou·let; xan·thou·ra; thou; thou·sand; thou·sand·fold; thou·sandth; thou·sand·fold·ly; …   English syllables

  • Thou — Thou, v. t. To address as thou, esp. to do so in order to treat with insolent familiarity or contempt. [1913 Webster] If thou thouest him some thrice, it shall not be amiss. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • thou — thou1 [thou] pron. pl. you or ye [ME < OE thu, akin to Ger du < IE * tu > L & Sans tu] Archaic personal pronoun in the second person singular: once used in familiar address, but now replaced by you except in poetic or religious use and… …   English World dictionary

  • Thou — Thou, v. i. To use the words thou and thee in discourse after the manner of the Friends. [R.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Thou — (Abkürzung für Thousands on an Inch) ist ein Längenmaß im angloamerikanischem Maßsystem und der englische Name für das amerikanische Längenmaß mil (von lat. millesimus). 1 Thou ist ein tausendstel Zoll, es entspricht also 25,4 µm. Das… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Thou — (spr. Tuh), 1) Jaques Auguste de T. (Thuanus), geb. 1553 in Paris; studirte die Rechte in Orleans u. Valence, begleitete 1573 Paul de Foix nach Italien u. machte dann eine Reise nach den Niederlanden u. Deutschland. Er wurde von König Heinrich… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Thou — (spr. tu), 1) Jacques Auguste de, latinisiert Thuanus, franz. Geschichtschreiber und Staatsmann, geb. 8. Okt. 1553 in Paris, wo sein Vater Christoph de T. erster Parlamentspräsident war, gest. 7. Mai 1617, ward von Heinrich III. mit mehreren… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Thou — (spr. tu), Jacques Auguste de, latinisiert Thuanus, franz. Staatsmann und Geschichtschreiber, geb. 8. Okt. 1553 zu Paris, unter Heinrich III. Requetenmeister, unter Heinrich IV. Vizepräsident des Parlaments, gest. 7. Mai 1617; berühmt seine… …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

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