Eithern
/ˈaɪðərn/noun
An obsolete or dialectal form meaning either or each of two.
Did you know?Eithern belongs to the same ancient word-family that produced “whether,” preserving the old idea of asking which of two alternatives is intended.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*aiw- and *kʷo-
“An ancient combination involving duration or eachness and the interrogative idea “which” or “what.””
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*aiwaz and *hwaþeraz
“The roots behind “ever” and “which of two,” later combining in Germanic expressions for alternatives.”
Old English
Old English
ǣghwæþer
“Each of two; either one of two alternatives.”
Middle English
Middle English
either, eithern
“Either; each of two, with “eithern” appearing as an obsolete or variant form.”
Modern English
English
eithern
“A rare archaic or dialectal form corresponding to “either.””