oþþe

See also: oððe

Old English

Alternative forms

• eþþa, ofþe, oððe, oþþon
• oþþa — Mercian

Etymology

Probably an alteration of earlier ofþe (“or”), from Proto-Germanic *efþau (“or”). Cognate with Old Frisian jeftha, joftha (“or”), Old Saxon eftha, Old High German odo; compare different ablaut-grades in Old English eþþa, Old Norse eða. Ultimately thought to be a Germanic suffixed dual form of the base of if.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈoθ.θe/

Conjunction

oþþe

1. or

   Sind foxas hundas oþþe cattas?

   Are foxes dogs or cats?

   • 10th century, The Wanderer:

     sōhte seledrēoriġ · sinces bryttan,
     hwǣr iċ feor oþþe nēah · findan meahte
     þone þe in meoduhealle · mīne wisse

     sought hall-sad a giver of treasure,
     where I far or near could find
     who in a mead-hall would know my men

2. (oþþe ... oþþe) either ... or
   • late 9th century, [1] The Laws of Edgar

     Oþþe on bōclande oþþe on folclande...

     Either in bookland or in folkland...

   • late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans

     Oþþe hīe hit nyton, oþþe hīe hit witan nyllaþ.

     Either they don't know it, or they don't want to know it.

Descendants

• Middle English: oththe, other, or
  • English: or
  • Scots: or