Where does “edgewise” come from?
Edgewise derives from Middle English -wis, Old Norse egg, Proto-Germanic agjō, and Proto-Indo-European roots h₂eḱ-, kagʰyo-, h₂ōwyóm, and ḱak-, ultimately tracing to concepts of sharpness and cutting.
edgewise (English): Edgeways; As if by an edge
Definitions
- Edgeways; As if by an edge
Ancestry of “edgewise”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | edge | The boundary line of a surface; A one-dimensional... |
| 2 | English | wise | Showing good judgement or the benefit of... |
| 3 | Middle English | wys | wise, thoughtful, proper; knowledgeable; alert,... |
| 4 | Old English | wīs | wise |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wīsaz | wise, knowledgeable |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | weydstos | knowledgeable |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | weyd- | to see |