tithe

[ tahyth ]

/ taɪð /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tithe ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth.

a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything.

verb (used with object), tithed, tith·ing.

to give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.).

to give or pay tithes on (crops, income, etc.).

to exact a tithe from (a person, community, parish, etc.).

to levy a tithe on (crops, income, etc.).

verb (used without object), tithed, tith·ing.

to give or pay a tithe.

Nearby words

titbit, titchy, titer, titfer, tithable, tithe, tithe barn, tither, tithing, tithonia, tithonus

Also British, tythe.

Origin of tithe

before 900; (noun) Middle English ti(ghe)the, Old English teogotha tenth; (v.) Middle English tithen, Old English teogothian to take the tenth of, derivative of the noun

Related forms

tithe·less, adjectiveun·tithed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tithe

They volunteer at shelters and tithe their earnings—not nearly enough.
Some Catholic Leaders Speaking Out Against Paul Ryan’s Budget-Cutting|Lauren Ashburn|August 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He left because he no longer could afford to tithe to the church, and was thus deemed “unworthy.”
Warren Jeffs' Flock in Denial|Carol McKinley|August 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“Much of its wealth comes from the fervent devotion of members, who tithe faithfully,” wrote Jenkins.
The Man Who Made God His ATM|Michelle Goldberg|December 19, 2009|DAILY BEAST
As far as he could see, and as far again in every direction, was his domain, paying him tithe of fat cattle and heaping granaries.
The Truce of God|Mary Roberts Rinehart

Not desirable that men without a tithe of Tim's talent should imitate his ingrained ill-manners.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 93, July 16, 1887|Various
Before you go, may I ask when we'll see your pew rent, to say nothing of the tithe?
The Syndic|C.M. Kornbluth
The 135-inch gun of to-day is, thanks to hydraulics, manipulated with a tithe of the exertion required to serve a truck gun.
The British Navy Book|Cyril Field
Thirty-one men been arrested in connection with Tithe Riots near Ruthin.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 93. July 30, 1887|Various

British Dictionary definitions for tithe

tithe

/ (taɪð) /

noun

(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

any levy, esp of one tenth

a tenth or very small part of anything

verb

(tr)

to exact or demand a tithe or tithes from (an individual or group)
to levy a tithe upon (a crop or amount of produce, etc)

(intr) to pay a tithe or tithes

Derived Forms

tither, noun

Word Origin for tithe

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for tithe

tithe

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.