Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “ash” come from?

Ash comes from Middle English asshe, from Old English æsc, from Proto-Germanic askaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂eys-.

ash (English): The solid remains of a fire; The nonaqueous...

Definitions

  1. The solid remains of a fire; The nonaqueous...

Ancestry of “ash”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishassheashes; The remnants of a lifeform; The matter...
2Old Englishæscash tree; spear; ship
3Old Englishæsċash tree; ash, spear, lance, ship
4Old Englishtrēo—
5Proto-West Germanictreutree; wood
6Proto-Germanictrewątree
7EnglishdoruAlternative form of dory
8Ancient Greekδόρυwood, tree, stem; spear shaft, spear, lance,...
9Proto-Hellenicdórutree
10Proto-Indo-Europeandórutree
11Proto-Indo-Europeandrew-hard, firm, strong, solid; hard, fast; tree

Words derived from “ash”

  • ashtray
  • ashing
  • ashpit
  • pearlash
  • ashless
  • ashplant
  • ashcan
  • ashpan
  • ashery
  • ashwood
  • ashfall
  • ashbin
  • ashcake
  • ashlike
  • ashling
  • ashdump
  • ash bread
  • ash cake
  • deash
  • ashes
  • satinash
  • ashweed
Every word from Proto-Indo-European drew- →