Middle English Dictionary Entry

thīgh n.
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Entry Info

Forms thīgh n. Also thighe, thiȝ(e, thiȝh(e, thih(e, thi(e, thiegh & thẹ̄gh, thẹ̄ȝhe, thẹ̄, thei, theiȝ(e & (early) þeȝe, þech, þeh, þeo(h, þeoþ & (errors) thight, þauh, þre; pl. thighes, etc. & þhiȝes, thie, (N) thẹ̄se & (early) þeþis, þeon, (gen.) þeona & (error) þeues.
Etymology OE: cp. WS þēoh, ðīoh, A þēh, thēgh.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) The upper leg of a human being, devil, etc. from the knee to the hip, thigh; also, the thigh of an image or idol; gret ~; ~ bon, the femur; ~ hole, bouing (folding, plicature) of the ~, the junction of the inner thigh and the abdomen; ~ joint, the juncture of the femur and the hip bone; ~ wrak, an ache in the thigh; leien honde under ~, to place (one's) hand under (someone's) thigh in swearing a solemn oath; (b) the human femur, the thigh bone; also, used more generally of any leg bone: breken ~; (c) the whole leg of a person [some quots. glossing L crus may belong to (a)]; (d) usu. pl. the loins; also fig.; also, the buttocks, rump; the genitals; ben yet in the thighes of, to be yet unbegotten by (sb.); yede oute of ~, be begotten of (someone's) loins, be the children of (someone's) getting.
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2.
(a) The upper leg of an animal, a bird, or scorpion, analogous to the human thigh; also, in dogs, deer, livestock, etc.: the haunch, rump [some quots. may belong to (b)]; also, cook. the thigh of a fowl used as food; hound ~; (b) the thigh bone of an animal or a bird; (c) the whole leg of an animal.
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3.
The main stem of a plant.
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4.
?In surname.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. thigh.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. folding of the thigh.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. great thigh.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. thigh bone.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. thigh hole.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc. (sense 1.(a)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. thigh joint.

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