Where does “become” come from?
Become comes from Middle English becomen, from Old English becuman, from Proto-Germanic bikwemaną, combining Proto-Germanic bi- with a root from Proto-Indo-European gʷem- meaning to go or come.
become (English): To arrive, come; To come about; happen; come into...
Definitions
- To arrive, come; To come about; happen; come into...
Ancestry of “become”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | becomen | — |
| 2 | Old English | becuman | to come near, by, around, to, or into; to reach |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | bikwemaną | to come near, come around, come by, arrive; to... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | bi- | by, at |
| 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 |