Where does “True” come from?
True (English) comes from Middle English treowe, from Old English trēowe, from Proto-Germanic triwwiz, from Proto-Indo-European drew-, from Proto-Indo-European dóru, from Proto-Indo-European deru- — firm, solid; wood; be firm, hard, solid.
Ancestry of “True”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | treowe | Alternative form of trewe |
| 2 | Old English | trēowe | trusty, faithful |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | triwwiz | true; faithful |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | drew- | hard, firm, strong, solid; hard, fast; tree |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | dóru | tree |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | deru- | firm, solid; wood; be firm, hard, solid |