1. a historical administrative division in England consisting of ten households
Usage: historical; archaic
2. the act of paying a tithe or tenth part
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The medieval village was organized into several tythings for administrative purposes.
• Each tything was responsible for maintaining order among its member households.
• The system of tythings helped local authorities manage rural communities.
• Records show that this tything consisted of exactly ten families.
• The tything of grain to the church was a common practice.
• Medieval documents often reference the tything system of local governance.