thus

adv

Etymology: From Middle English thus, þus, from Old English þus (“thus, in this way, as follows, in this manner, to this extent”), from Proto-West Germanic *þus (“so, thus”), perhaps originally from a variant of the instrumental form of this, related to Old English þȳs (“by this, with this”), Old Saxon thius (“by this, with this”). Cognate with Scots thus (“thus”), North Frisian thus, Saterland Frisian dus, düs (“thus”), West Frisian dus (“thus”), Dutch dus (“thus, so”), Middle High German dus (“thus, as follows”). Compare also Dutch zus (“thus, hence”), Low German sus (“thus, hence”), Middle High German sus (“thus, hence”), a similar formation from the stem of Proto-West Germanic *swā (“so”).

1. In this way or manner.

   “If you throw the ball thus, as I’m showing you, you’ll have better luck hitting the target.”

   “But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window at the old mare feeding in the meadow below by the brook, and a 'bead' could be drawn upon Molly, the dairymaid, kissing the fogger behind the hedge,[…].”

2. As a result.

   “I have all the tools I need; thus, I will be able to fix the car without having to call a mechanic.”

   “I corralled the judge, and we started off across the fields, in no very mild state of fear of that gentleman's wife, whose vigilance was seldom relaxed. And thus we came by a circuitous route to Mohair, the judge occupied by his own guilty thoughts, and I by others not less disturbing.”

name

1. plural of Thu

noun

1. Alternative form of thuris.