Tithes
/taɪðz/noun
A tenth part of something, especially one given as a required contribution or tax, traditionally to support the church.
Did you know?Tithing comes from an ancient Germanic word for “tenth,” and in medieval Europe that number became a religious obligation powerful enough to shape land, labor, and church wealth.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dekm̥
“ten”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*tehun
“ten”
Old English
OE
tēoða
“a tenth part”
Middle English
ME
tithe
“a tenth part, especially a church levy”
Modern English
English
tithe
“a tenth part or required contribution, especially for religious support”