Where does “elder” come from?

Elder derives from Old English eldra, comparative form of eald, tracing to Proto-Indo-European h₂el- meaning to grow or nourish, with related forms in al-.

elder (English): comparative degree of old: older, greater than...

Definitions

  1. comparative degree of old: older, greater than...

Ancestry of “elder”, step by step

elder traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Middle English eldre

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englisheldreelder, ancestor
2Old EnglisheldraAlternative form of ieldra
3Proto-Germanicalþizôcomparative degree of *aldaz
4Proto-Germanicaldazold, grown up
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eltós—
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂él-to grow, nourish

via Proto-Germanic aliþro

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Germanicaliþroudder
2Proto-Germanicalanąto grow; to grow old, to mature; to breed

Words derived from “elder”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂él- →
elder — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer