Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “edelweiss” come from?

edelweiss (English) comes from German Edelweiß, from German edel, from Middle High German edel, from Old High German adal, from Proto-West Germanic aþal, from Proto-Germanic aþalą, from Proto-Indo-European at-al, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.

edelweiss (English): A European perennial alpine plant, "Leontopodium...

Definitions

  1. A European perennial alpine plant, "Leontopodium...

Ancestry of “edelweiss”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1GermanEdelweißedelweiss
2Germanedelnoble; elegant, classy, high-quality
3Middle High Germanedelnoble
4Old High Germanadalnoble; nobility; noble race
5Proto-West Germanicaþalnobility; race
6Proto-Germanicaþaląnature, disposition; nobility, race
7Proto-Indo-Europeanat-alfamily, race
8Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂el-to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- →