Doth: meaning, definitions and examples

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doth

 

[ dสŒฮธ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

archaic usage

Doth is an archaic third person singular form of the verb 'do'. It was commonly used in Middle English and early Modern English texts, particularly in poetry and literature. This form is largely no longer in use in contemporary English, surviving primarily in quotations and stylistic contexts. The word adds a formal or poetic tone to the language, reflecting the period's grammatical structures and verb conjugation. Its usage can often indicate a character's elevated speech or literary quality.

Synonyms

act, does, perform

Examples of usage

  • He doth protest too much.
  • What doth this mean?
  • She doth strive for excellence.

Translations

Translations of the word "doth" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น doth

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเฅ‹เคน

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช doth

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ doth

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะพั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ doth

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ‰ใ‚น

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท doth

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ doth

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท doth

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋„์Šค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏูˆุซ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ doth

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ doth

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้“ๆ–ฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ doth

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ doth

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดะพั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ”แƒ—

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ doth

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ doth

Etymology

The word 'doth' originates from Middle English, closely related to the Old English verb 'don', meaning 'to do'. Over time, the word evolved through various forms, including 'doeth', before stabilizing as 'doth' in the early Modern English period. This transition reflects changes in English pronunciation and verb conjugation practices. As English developed, many of its inflected forms, including 'doth', became less common, paving the way for a more simplified verb structure. The retention of 'doth' is primarily seen in literary contexts, showcasing its role in historical texts by authors like Shakespeare, where archaic language adds depth and character to the dialogue. Its rarity in modern usage illustrates the linguistic evolution within the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,069 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.