thy
Definition
Pronoun (possessive determiner): - "Thy" is an archaic or poetic form meaning "your" (singular, informal). It was used in Early Modern English, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, and is now primarily found in religious texts (e.g., the King James Bible), Shakespearean plays, and historical literature. It corresponds to the second-person singular possessive, equivalent to modern "your" when addressing one person informally.
Usage Examples
- (From the Lord's Prayer; meaning "Your kingdom come, your will be done.")
- (Archaic poetic expression; meaning "I love your gentle heart.")
- (Shakespearean style; meaning "Lend me your ear.")
Advanced Usage
- "Thy" vs. "thine": "Thy" is used before consonant sounds, while "thine" is used before vowel sounds or when standing alone (like "your" vs. "yours").
- "Thy mother" (consonant sound).
- "Thine eyes" (vowel sound).
- "This book is thine." (Standalone possessive, meaning "yours.")
Variants and Related Words
- Thou (pronoun): the nominative (subject) form of "thy," meaning "you" (singular, informal).
- "Thou art my friend." (You are my friend.)
- Thee (pronoun): the objective (object) form of "thy," meaning "you" (singular, informal).
- "I give this to thee." (I give this to you.)
- Thine (possessive pronoun): the form used before vowel sounds or as a standalone possessive.
- "This land is thine." (This land is yours.)
Synonyms
- Your (modern equivalent): the standard second-person singular possessive pronoun.
- "Your house is beautiful." (Modern usage replaces "thy house.")
Related Idioms
"Thy will be done": a phrase from the Lord's Prayer, expressing submission to divine will.
- "In times of trouble, he whispered, 'Thy will be done.'" (Accepting fate or divine plan.)
"Lend me thy ear": an archaic request for someone's attention.
- "Lend me thy ear, good sir, for I have news." (A formal, old-fashioned way to ask someone to listen.)