quoth

[ kwohth ]

verb

, Archaic.

1. said (used with nouns, and with first- and third-person pronouns, and always placed before the subject):

   Quoth the raven, “Nevermore.”

quoth

/ kwəʊθ /

verb

1. archaic.
   used with all pronouns exceptthou and you, and with nouns another word for said 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of quoth¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; preterit of quethe (otherwise obsolete), Middle English quethen, Old English cwethan “to say.” bequeath

Word History and Origins

Origin of quoth¹

Old English cwæth, third person singular of cwethan to say; related to Old Frisian quetha to say, Old Saxon, Old High German quethan; see bequeath

Example Sentences

She laid the still white form beside those that had gone before, quoth Bobby, in sepulchral tone.

From Project Gutenberg

"Eric has a mind to pay them for nigh spoiling a wedding voyage," quoth our Norseman.

From Project Gutenberg

Quoth the King, What is that which ye demand that shall bring about good peace betwixt us?

From Project Gutenberg

"I owe you no grudge, gentle Franks," quoth the dwarf, as they pushed back the door of a cell that was all dust and murk.

From Project Gutenberg

I desire, quoth he, that the lords of the land choose him for King whom they deem best fitted therefor.

From Project Gutenberg