ithand

ithand

English

Alternative forms

• ident, ydant, iden, ydan
• eident, idand, ydand (Scotland)

Etymology

From Middle English ithand, an alteration (due to assimilation to suffix -and) of Middle English ithen, from Old Norse iðinn (“assiduous, diligent”), from iðja, iðna (“to do, perform”), from ið (“a restless motion”), equivalent to ithe +‎ -and and/or ithe +‎ -en. Cognate with Icelandic iðinn (“diligent”), Norwegian idig (“busy”), Danish idelig (“continual”), and perhaps to English eddy.

Adjective

ithand (comparative more ithand, superlative most ithand)

1. (Now chiefly dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Industrious; assiduous; continually busy; diligent.
2. (Now chiefly dialectal, Northern England, Scotland) Plodding; constant; continual.
3. (Now chiefly dialectal, Northern England, Scotland, of mental or moral qualities) Conscientious; considerate; watchful; careful; attentive.
4. (Now chiefly dialectal, Northern England, Scotland, usually of weather) Continuous; persistent.

Derived terms

• ithandly