Where does “earwax” come from?

earwax (English) comes from Middle English erewax, from Middle English ēre, from Old English ēare, from Proto-West Germanic auʀā, from Proto-Germanic ausô, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ṓws, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ew- — to enjoy; to consume; to perceive, see, to be...

earwax (English): A waxy substance secreted by the ear

Definitions

  1. A waxy substance secreted by the ear

Ancestry of “earwax”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englisherewax—
2Middle EnglishēreThe ear organ that receives sound
3Old Englishēareear
4Proto-West Germanicauʀāear
5Proto-Germanicausôear
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ṓwsear
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ew-to enjoy; to consume; to perceive, see, to be...

Words derived from “earwax”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ew- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ṓws →Every word from Proto-Germanic ausô →
earwax — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer