Saith Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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saith
[seɪθ ]
Definition
archaic usage
Saith is an archaic third person singular form of the verb 'say'. It is used primarily in historical or biblical texts to indicate that someone is speaking or declaring something. The term is rarely used in modern English but may be found in literature that aims to evoke an older style of speech.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He saith unto them, 'Follow me.'
- The prophet saith what the Lord has commanded.
- She saith that truth must prevail.
Translations
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Origin of 'saith'
The word 'saith' originates from Old English, which is a Germanic language that was spoken and written in parts of what are now England and southern Scotland between the 5th and the 12th centuries. The form 'saith' comes from the Old English verb 'secgan', which means 'to say' or 'to tell'. The conjugation 'saith' denotes the present tense, third person singular form of the verb. Its usage was common in Middle English as well, particularly in religious texts and literature of the time, as it aligns with the speech patterns found in the King James Bible and other historical documents. Although it has fallen out of everyday use, 'saith' remains recognized as a poetic or rhetorical device in modern English, often evoking the grandeur or solemnity of earlier English prose.