Where does “awe” come from?
Awe comes from Middle English aw, from Old Norse agi meaning fear or dread, from Old English eall, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂egʰ- meaning to be sharp or pointed.
awe (English): A feeling of fear and reverence; A feeling of...
Definitions
- A feeling of fear and reverence; A feeling of...
Ancestry of “awe”, step by step
awe traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English aw
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | aw | Alternative form of awe |
| 2 | Old Norse | agi | awe, terror; uproar, turbulence; discipline,... |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | agaz | fear; dread |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂égʰos | distress |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂egʰ- | to be upset, afraid |
via French auve
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | auve | — |