Emily Dickinson Lexicon

THANK, v.t. [Sax. thancian; G. and D. danken; Ice. thacka; Sw. tacka; Dan. takker. We see by the Gothic dialects that n is not radical. To ascertain the primary sense, let us attend to its compounds; G. abdanken, (which in English would be off-thank,) to dismiss, discharge, discard, send away, put off, to disband or break, as an officer; verdanken, to owe or be indebted; D. afdanken, to cashier or discharge. These senses imply a sending. Hence thank is probably from the sense of giving, that is, a render or return.]

1. To express gratitude for a favor; to make acknowledgments to one for kindness bestowed. We are bound to thank God always for you. 2 Thess. i. Joab bowed himself and thanked the king. 2 Sam. xiv.
2. It is used ironically. Weigh the danger with the doubtful bliss, / And thank yourself, if aught should fall amiss. Dryden.