† ˈthuften Obs.
[OE. þyften, þeften (erron. -an), representing an OTeut. *þuftinī, doubtfully considered to be fem. of *ᵹi)þuftô, in OE. ᵹeþofta, ON. þópti a bench-fellow (cf. thoft); the suffix being -en2, as in OE. þ{iacu}wen maidservant, fyxen vixen, etc.]
A maidservant; a handmaid, female slave.
| a 1100 Aldhelm Gloss. i. 2349 (Napier O.E. Gl.) Uernacula, i. ancilla vel serua, þyftan. Ibid. 2716 Uerna, .i. seruus, þyften. a 1100 in Haupt's Zeitschr. IX. 461/2 Vernacula (gl. servula, ancilla), þeftan. a 1225 Ancr. R. 4 Þeos riwle nis bute vorto serui þe oðer. Þe oðer is ase lefdi: þeos is ase þuften. c 1230 Hali Meid. 45 Mi lauerd biseh his þufftenes mekelac. |