Where does “anywhither” come from?

anywhither (English) comes from English whither, from Middle English whider, from Old English hwider, from Old English hwæder, from Proto-Germanic *hwadrê — to which place, to where, whither.

anywhither (English): To anywhere

Definitions

  1. To anywhere

Ancestry of “anywhither”, step by step

anywhither traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English whither

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwhitherTo what place; To wuther
2Middle Englishwhiderwhither
3Old Englishhwiderto where, whither
4Old EnglishhwæderAlternative form of hwider
5Proto-Germanic*hwadrêto which place, to where, whither

via English any

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishanyTo even the slightest extent, at all; At least...
2Middle Englishany—
3Old Englishǣniġany
4Proto-West Germanic*ainagonly, sole
Every word from Proto-Germanic *hwadrê →