Where does “because” come from?
Because derives from Middle English bi cause, combining Middle English bi (by) with Middle English cause from Latin causa, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots including h₁epi and ki-.
because (English): By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that
Definitions
- By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that
Ancestry of “because”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | bi cause | — |
| 2 | Middle English | bi | by |
| 3 | Old English | bī | lullaby!; near, by; by, near, around |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | bī | by, at; near, around |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | bi | by, at; near, around |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂m̥bʰi | around, on either side of, about; in exchange... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂n̥tbʰi | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂énts | forehead; front |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂ent- | face; forehead; front |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂en- | on, onto |