Obs. [f. THANE1, in sense 1 ‘servant’ + -hede, -HEAD. Essentially an earlier form of next, but unconnected with it in use, being founded on an earlier sense of OE. þeʓn.] Service, servitude; bondage, thraldom.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5404 (Cott.). Land and lijth wit bodi we bede, Þat þou vs tak in þin thainhede [v.rr. bonde, bundhede]: In thainhed [Fairf. bondehede; Gött. & Trin. þraldam, -dome] tak our landes all, For sede we mai þam sau wit-all. Ibid., 5791. I sal þam [Israel] bring vte of thainhede [v.rr. þraldome, thralhede], In-till a land, a wonsun thede. Ibid., 6990. In thain-hede ar þai worth to be, Þat wil noght thole, and mai be fre.
