Etymology

This form, which is unique to Erk, could either be a variant of þrynne (adj.) (prob. from ON, < PGmc *þrizna-) or a development of OE ðrīnen (prob. < *þrixna-).  It has been suggested that the <e> in the first syllable may be the result of influence from the late ON form represented by OIcel þrennur (McGee 441; see also Knigge 1886: 76). However, as McGee also notes, it might also be explained by analogy with English three.

PGmc Ancestor

*þrizna- or þrixna-

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

cp. þrennr 'three-fold'
(ONP þrennr (adj.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Far trinnur, Icel þrennur, Norw trinn, ODan thrænnæ, Dan trende, OSw þrænni, þrinni, Sw trenne

OE Cognate

cp. ðrīnen 'three-fold'

Phonological and morphological markers

[ON consonant cluster assimilation] (possibly diagnostic) (may not be applicable)

Summary category

CCC2c

Attestation

This is the only attestation of the word with a spelling in <e> cited by MED, and OED does not record it in any entry.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Erk 210

Bibliography

de Vries þrennr, þreðr, þrinnr, Mag. þrennur, Orel *þrixnaz, Kroonen *þrī-; see further þrynne (adj.).