methinks

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Old English mē thyncth, from (to me) + thyncth (it seems) (from þyncan (to seem)); equivalent to me (object pronoun) + think (to seem). The modern syntax would be "it makes me think". Compare synonymous German mir/mich dünkt, Old Norse mér þykkir (Icelandic mér þykir).

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /mɪˈθɪŋks/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪŋks

Contraction

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methinks (past tense methought)

  1. (archaic or humorous) It seems to me.

Usage notes

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In Early Modern English, used at least 150 times by William Shakespeare; in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer, me thinketh; and in Old English by Alfred the Great, mē þyncþ.

Translations

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See also

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References

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