§ [70]. Gothic þ corresponds to Gr. θ (as, Þômas, Θωμᾶς; Naþan, Ναθάν); its sound-value was that of a voiceless dental spirant = the NE. surd th in thin. Also the Greek θ denoted at that time, as it stil does in New Greek, a similar sound.
Note 1. Greek authors represent the Goth. þ by θ; as, Θευδέριχος. Latin writers express Goth. þ mostly by th; as, Theodoricus, Theodomirus, but also often by t. Cp. Wrede, 'Wand.', 104; 'Ostg.', 170 et seq.—In like manner sum later prints hav th for þ (s. [§ 1], n. 3).
Note 2. Latin authors often uze d beside th for medial þ in proper nouns, from which a later softening may be inferd. Cp. Wrede, 'Ostg.', 171.
Note 3. Concerning the sound-value of Germanic-Goth. þ, cp. IF. 4, 341 et seq.; for the relation between Goth. þ and Gr. θ, s. Wimmer, 'Die Runenschrift', 268.
§ [71]. þ in Gothic words is very frequent. E. g. (a) initially: þulan, to suffer; þanjan, to strech; ga-þaírsan, to wither; þaúrsus, witherd; þaúrstei, thirst; þata (prn.), that; þu, thou; þreis, three; þliuhan, flee; ga-þláihan, to cumfort, console; þwahan, to wash. (b) medially: brôþar, brother; tunþus, tooth; wiþrus, lam; fraþi, n., understanding; fraþjan, to understand; anþar, other; ƕaþar, 'uter'; waírþan, to becum; qiþan, to say. (c) Also final þ remains unchanged; as, þiuþ, n., good (gen. þiuþis); qaþ, prt. of qiþan; aiþs, acc. aiþ, oath.
Note 1. þþ occurs in aiþþau, or ([§ 20]), and, by assimilation, for h-þ: niþþan, etc.; s. [§ 62], n. 3.
Note 2. þ finally and before the s of the nom. very often stands for d, and must be kept apart from the þ mentiond under (c) which remain þ medially also; s. [§ 74].
Note 3. þ becums s before t ([§ 81]); e. g., 2nd pers. sg. prt. qast (inf. qiþan), warst (inf. waírþan), snaist (inf. sneiþan, to cut).
Note 4. d stands for medial þ in weitwôdida, testimony; Jo. III, 32.