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

Example Sentences

One day, a group of militants phoned him and demanded he pay zakat—an Islamic tithe—in the amount of $1,000.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Musk tithe seems characteristic of an project that so far has divulged few specific details over what would be cut, but promises to reap great personal benefits for its appointed heads.

From Salon

“The parish treasurer was really excited because I tithed my winnings, so that was a nice plus for the bottom line of the parish,” Sibley says.

From Seattle Times

According to the affidavit, Jiang had been a member of the church since April and had given the church a donation of more than $450 in June as part of a tithing challenge.

From Seattle Times

That includes tithes; regular donations amounting to 10% of a person’s income expected from members of the church.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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