tithe

American  

[tahyth] / taɪð /

British, tythe

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.

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verb (used with object)

tithed, tithing

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, tithing

1. to give or pay a tithe.

tithe British  

/ 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

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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 Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• titheless adjective
• tither noun
• untithed adjective

Etymology

Origin of tithe

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

Explanation

To tithe is to make a contribution equal to one-tenth of your income, usually to a church or religious institution. Devout church-goers usually tithe, even in years when their finances are very tight. Tithe comes from the Old English word teogotha, which means “tenth.” To tithe is to relinquish one-tenth of your personal income, either as a mandatory contribution, a voluntary donation, or as a levy. In ancient times farmers were required to tithe a portion of their crops. You may suspect that some of the wealthiest members of your church don’t really tithe as expected.

Example Sentences

About 31% said they give a full tithe, and 19% said they donate more than 10% of their earnings.

From Washington Times • Apr. 26, 2023

People produced what they were going to consume, and surplus went to the lord or the church as a mandatory tax, usually 10 percent, called the tithe.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

To this day, Latter-day Saints are expected to meet with local bishops every year and state that they have paid a full tithe.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2023

"I remember one time at the church a lady said: 'I have been paying my tithe, and it seems like I still don't have enough money at the end of the month.'"

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2023

Every year at around this time the monks came down from their mountainside temple to collect their tithe of rice.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

Related Words

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