Where does “husfrue” come from?

husfrue (Danish) comes from Danish frue, from Old Saxon frūa, from Proto-Germanic frawjǭ, from Proto-Indo-European proHwo-, from Proto-Indo-European per-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós — passed , crossed.

husfrue (Danish): lady, mistress

Definitions

  1. lady, mistress

Ancestry of “husfrue”, step by step

husfrue traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.

via Danish frue

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Danishfruelady; Mrs, ma'am; wife
2Old Saxonfrūalady
3Proto-Germanicfrawjǭlady, wife of a lord
4Proto-Indo-EuropeanproHwo-master, judge; right judge, master
5Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
6Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

via Danish hus

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Danishhushouse; building; block of flats, cottage
2Old Danishhushouse
3Old Norsehúshouse
4Proto-Germanichūsąhouse
5Proto-Indo-European(s)kewH-to cover, bedeck; cover

via Old Danish husfrugh

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Danishhusfrugh—
2Old Norsehústrú—
3Old Norsehúsfrúhousewife
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →Every word from Proto-Indo-European per- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European proHwo- →