oþþe

See also: oððe

Old English

Alternative forms

• eþþa, ofþe, oððe, oþþon
• oþþa — Mercian

Etymology

Probably an alteration of earlier ofþe (“or”), from Proto-Germanic *efþau (“or”). Cognate with Old Frisian jeftha, joftha (“or”), Old Saxon eftha, Old High German odo; compare different ablaut-grades in Old English eþþa, Old Norse eða. Ultimately thought to be a Germanic suffixed dual form of the base of if.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈoθ.θe/

Conjunction

oþþe

1. or

   Sind foxas hundas oþþe cattas?

   Are foxes dogs or cats?

2. (oþþe ... oþþe) either ... or

   Ne nis nā tō wēnenne þæt sē mann sīe oþþe sē ieldesta oþþe sē sīðmesta eorðan hlāforda.

   Nor is it to be thought that man is either the oldest or the last of Earth's masters.

   • late 9th century, translation of Orosius’ History Against the Pagans

     Oþþe hīe hit nyton, oþþe hīe hit witan nyllaþ.

     Either they don't know it, or they don't want to know it.

Descendants

• Middle English: oththe, other, or
  • English: or
  • Scots: or