Where does “bewitch” come from?
Bewitch comes from Middle English bewicchen, of uncertain origin and ultimate meaning.
bewitch (English): To cast a spell upon; To fascinate or charm; To...
Definitions
- To cast a spell upon; To fascinate or charm; To...
Ancestry of “bewitch”, step by step
bewitch traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Witch
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Witch | A person (now usually particularly a woman) who uses magical or similar supernatural powers to influence or predict events, particularly one with malicious motives |
| 2 | Middle English | wicche | witch, wizard, sorceror; pagan, heretic,... |
| 3 | Old English | wiċċe | (female) witch |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wikkōną | to practice sorcery |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | wik-néh₂- | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | weyk- | to separate, to choose; to contain, to envelop;... |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wey- | to wither; fade; to move, go ahead; to be strong;... |
via Middle English bewicchen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | bewicchen | — |