tithe

[ tahyth ]

noun

1. Sometimes tithes. the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.
2. any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth.
3. a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything.

verb (used with object)

, tithed, tith·ing.

1. to give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.).
2. to give or pay tithes on (crops, income, etc.).
3. to exact a tithe from (a person, community, parish, etc.).
4. to levy a tithe on (crops, income, etc.).

verb (used without object)

, tithed, tith·ing.

1. to give or pay a tithe.

tithe

/ taɪð /

noun

1. often plural Christianity a tenth part of agricultural or other produce, personal income, or profits, contributed either voluntarily or as a tax for the support of the church or clergy or for charitable purposes
2. any levy, esp of one tenth
3. a tenth or very small part of anything

verb

1. tr
   1. to exact or demand a tithe or tithes from (an individual or group)
   2. to levy a tithe upon (a crop or amount of produce, etc)
2. intr to pay a tithe or tithes

tithe

1. A tenth part of one's annual income contributed to support the clergy or a church . The Mosaic law required the Israelites to pay a tithe for the support of worship.

Derived Forms

• ˈtither, noun

Other Words From

• titheless adjective
• un·tithed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tithe¹

First recorded before 900; (for the noun) Middle English ti(ghe)the, Old English teogotha tenth; (for the verb) Middle English tithen, Old English teogothian “to take the tenth of,” derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tithe¹

Old English teogoth; related to Old Frisian tegotha, Old Saxon tegotho, Old High German zehando, Old Norse tīundi, Gothic taihunda

Example Sentences

They volunteer at shelters and tithe their earnings—not nearly enough.

From The Daily Beast

He left because he no longer could afford to tithe to the church, and was thus deemed “unworthy.”

From The Daily Beast

“Much of its wealth comes from the fervent devotion of members, who tithe faithfully,” wrote Jenkins.

From The Daily Beast

It was this spirit of lawlessness which gave rise to the Irish tithe-bill of this session.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile the tithe question became & fruitful source of discontent and bloodshed.

From Project Gutenberg

The opposition against the payment of tithe was directed against the government as well as the clergy.

From Project Gutenberg

Anti-tithe meetings were held in every part of Ireland, and the greater part of the country was involved in one huge conspiracy.

From Project Gutenberg

Accordingly, on the 29th of July, the order of the day was read for the house resolving itself into a committee on the tithe bill.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contribution
• cost
• duty
• expense
• fine
• levy
• price
• rate
• tariff