geþanc

• ġeþonc, ġeþang

From Proto-West Germanic *gaþank, from Proto-Germanic *gaþankaz. By surface analysis, ġe- +‎ þanc. Cognate with Old High German gidank (German Gedanke), Old Saxon githanko.

• IPA^(key): /jeˈθɑnk/, [jeˈθɑŋk]

ġeþanc m or n

1. thought, mind
   • c. 992, Ælfric, "The First Sunday in Lent"

     Nu bidde ic eow þæt ge beon geðyldige on eowerum ġeðance, ōðþæt we ðone traht mid Godes fylste oferrædan magon.

     Now I pray you to be patient in your thoughts till, with God's assistance, we can read over the text.

2. intention, purpose
3. design, what is thought-out
4. act of thinking
5. imagination
   • c. 992, Ælfric, "On the Purification of St. Mary"

     Ne sohte Crist na ða modigan, þa þa micele beoð on hyra geþance; ac ða ðe beoð lytle and eaðmode on heora heortan, þa cumað to Godes rice; ac ðider ne mæg astigan nán modignys.

     Christ sought not the proud, those who are great in their own imagination, but those who are little and humble in their hearts, these shall come to God's kingdom; but thither may no pride ascend.

6. opinion
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Passion of St. Julian and his wife Basilissa"

     Iulianus sæde ure geþanc is swa swa hit wæs...

     Julianus said, ' our opinion is just as it was;...

• Generally masculine in gender, it is only occasionally neuter.

masculine

neuter

• inġeþanc
• mōdġeþanc

• Middle English: geðanc, ȝeðanc, ȝeþank, ȝeþonk, iþank, iþanc, iðonc, iþonc, iðang