Where does “God-fearing” come from?
God-fearing (English) comes from English God, from Middle English god, from Old English gōd, from Proto-West Germanic gōd, from Proto-Germanic gudą, from Proto-Germanic gastiz, from Proto-Indo-European gʰóstis, from Proto-Indo-European -tis — Derives abstract/action nouns from verb roots.
God-fearing (English): Following the precepts of a religious practice; respecting and revering God and his authority
Definitions
- Following the precepts of a religious practice; respecting and revering God and his authority
Ancestry of “God-fearing”, step by step
God-fearing traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via English God
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | God | A being such as a monotheistic God: a single... |
| 2 | Middle English | god | A god or deity; a divine individual; A person... |
| 3 | Old English | gōd | a good thing, advantage, benefit, gift; good,... |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | gōd | good |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | gudą | invoked one; god, deity |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | gastiz | stranger, guest |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | gʰóstis | stranger, host |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | -tis | Derives abstract/action nouns from verb roots |
via English fearing
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | fearing | present participle of fear; Exhibiting fear;... |
| 2 | English | fear | A strong, uncontrollable, unpleasant emotion or... |
| 3 | Middle English | fere | fear |
| 4 | Old English | fēre | able to go, fit for service |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | fēriz | crossing, able to cross |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |
via Middle English goddfrihti
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | goddfrihti | — |
| 2 | Middle English | godfriht | — |
| 3 | Old English | godfyrht | god-fearing |