vnþryfte

n.

'wickedness, folly'

(Modern English unthrift)

Etymology

Formed with native prefix un- on a n. always derived from ON: either from the borrowed v. within English (so OED), see þryue (v.), or (as most commentators have it, incl. Bj.) directly from an ON n. derived from the zero-grade, cp. þrift (fem.) 'thrift' (also cp. þrif (neut.) 'thriving condition, prosperity').

PGmc Ancestor

*þrīfan- or *þrift-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

þrift (n.)(fem.) 'thrift', cp. þrif (n.)(neut.) 'thriving condition, prosperity'
(ONP þrift (sb.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Icel þrift, Norw trîvst; cp. Icel þrif, Norw triv

OE Cognate

Phonological and morphological markers

Summary category

B1

Attestation

Thrift is common and widespread, with and without prefix un-, from the early 14c.; þryue (v.) is attested from Orrm onwards.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Cl 516, 1728

Bibliography

MED unthrift (n.) , OED unthrift (n. and adj.) , HTOED , Bj. 223, Mag. þrif, þrift; see further þryue (v.).