[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/tithe/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [T](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/t/) / tithe # tithe noun (a tithe, tithes); verb (tithe, tithes, tithed, tithing) «tithe» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (church) A tithe is one tenth of what a person earns or grows, given to the church or to God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#m1) 2. (history) Long ago, farmers had to give a tithe of their crops to the local church. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#m2) 3. To tithe is to give a tithe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#m3) 4. A tithe can also mean one tenth of any amount, not only of money or crops given to the church. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#m4) ### In the lessons In religious education, some Christians today still give a tenth of their income to their church; the idea comes from the Old Testament. In history lessons, tithe barns stored the grain farmers gave to the church. In maths, a tithe is ten per cent. Phrases: «pay a tithe», «tithe barn», «give a tithe». ### Examples - A tithe is one tenth of what you have. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x1) - Long ago, farmers gave a tithe of their crops to the church. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x2) - The village still has an old tithe barn. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x3) - Some Christians tithe their wages. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x4) - If Lucy has thirty pounds and gives a tithe, she gives three pounds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x5) - The Bible tells of Abraham giving a tithe to the priest Melchizedek. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x6) - Tithes were stored in big barns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x7) - What Campbell has published represents only a tithe of what he collected. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/#x8) ### Note Countable noun; regular verb, past «tithed». Rhymes with «scythe». Maths: a tithe = 1/10 = 10 per cent; divide by 10. ## In Jewish tradition A tenth part of produce or animals set apart as holy to God, to support the Levites and the poor. **Interpretation.** Tradition has several tithes: for the Levites, for eating in Jerusalem, and for the poor; an animal tithe was counted by passing under the rod. ### Examples - And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof. (Torah LEV.27.31, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/#x1) - Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which is brought forth in the field year by year. (Torah DEU.14.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/#x2) - And all the tithe of the herd or the flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (Torah LEV.27.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/#x3) - But ye say: 'Wherein have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and heave-offerings. (Prophets MAL.3.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/#x4) - Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the wine and the oil unto the treasuries. (Writings NEH.13.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/#x5) - Come to Beth-el, and transgress, to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes after three days; (Prophets AMO.4.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/#x6) ### Note Countable noun; regular verb, past «tithed». Rhymes with «scythe». Maths: a tithe = 1/10 = 10 per cent; divide by 10. ## Early Modern English ### Meaning One tenth of what is produced or earned, given as a due, especially to the church or to God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/T/tithe/#m1) ### Then and now Today it is mainly used in a church sense. In these texts it was a tenth of produce owed as a duty, and the second sentence uses it for "a small part." ### Examples - And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof. (Torah LEV.27.31, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/T/tithe/#x1) - What Campbell has published represents only a tithe of what he collected. (Celtic Fairy Tales) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/T/tithe/#x2) - Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which is brought forth in the field year by year. (Torah DEU.14.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/T/tithe/#x3) ### Note Today: a tenth part. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «tithe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/tithe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«tithe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/tithe.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «tithe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/T/tithe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«tithe» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/tithe.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «tithe» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/T/tithe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«tithe» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/tithe.html) on Mova free.