teind
Historical / Extremely RareHistorical, Legal, Literary, Dialectal (Scots)
Definition
Meaning
A tax, tithe, or levy amounting to one-tenth of one's annual produce or earnings.
A historical or legal term for a tenth part paid as a due, especially to the church or to a feudal superior.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A word largely confined to historical texts, legal documents (especially Scottish law), and literary works with an archaic tone. It is a specific term for a particular kind of tax.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used almost exclusively in a historical/Scots legal context in the UK. Virtually unknown and unused in modern American English.
Connotations
Archaising, formal, legalistic. May be used for deliberate historical accuracy or literary effect.
Frequency
Near-zero in modern usage. If used, it is overwhelmingly in British (specifically Scottish) historical or legal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to pay teind on NPto be liable for teindthe teind of NP (e.g., 'the teind of his harvest')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pay the teind to the kirk (Scots idiom)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or theological studies relating to medieval/early modern taxation systems.
Everyday
Not used; would be misunderstood.
Technical
Used in specific historical/legal terminology, particularly in Scots law contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The farmer was obliged to teind a portion of his barley to the local kirk.
- Land was teinded for the upkeep of the cathedral.
American English
- (Not used in American English.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used.)
adjective
British English
- (Not typically used as an adjective.)
American English
- (Not used.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (This word is too advanced for A2 level.)
- (This word is too advanced for B1 level.)
- In the old records, the villagers had to pay a teind on their grain to the church.
- The dispute was over the non-payment of the annual teind.
- The ancient charter stipulated that a teind of all fish caught in the loch was due to the laird.
- As a form of ecclesiastical taxation, the teind was a significant burden on medieval peasants.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TENTH with a 'd' on the end – it's a tithe, a tenth part, demanded (the 'd' could stand for 'due' or 'demanded').
Conceptual Metaphor
GIVING AS A FRACTION (The produce of one's labour is conceptualised as a divisible whole, from which a mandatory slice is removed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'tax' in a broad modern sense. It is a very specific, historical type of tax. The Russian 'десятина' is the closest conceptual match.
- Not a general word for debt or payment.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb meaning 'to join' or 'to connect'.
- Pronouncing it as /tɪnd/.
- Using it in a modern financial context.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'teind' be most appropriately used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and is only encountered in historical, legal, or literary contexts, primarily in Scottish English.
They are synonyms, both meaning a tenth part paid as a tax. 'Teind' is the Scots/archaic English form, while 'tithe' is the standard modern English term for the same concept.
Yes, historically, it could be used as a verb meaning 'to subject to a teind' or 'to pay a teind'. This usage is even rarer than the noun form.
Learners of English would only need to learn it for specialized purposes, such as reading historical documents, Scottish legal texts, or classic literature where it appears. It is not needed for general communication.