Where does “eldest” come from?
Eldest derives from Middle English eldest, from Old English ealdest, the superlative of eald, from Proto-Indo-European al-, a root meaning to grow or nourish.
eldest (English): superlative form of old: most old; greatest in...
Definitions
- superlative form of old: most old; greatest in...
Ancestry of “eldest”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | old | Of an object, concept, relationship, etc., having... |
| 2 | Middle English | ald | — |
| 3 | Old English | eald | old; ancient; original |
| 4 | Old English | feld | field |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | felþu | field |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | felþuz | field, plain |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pelh₂- | to approach |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pel- | to cover, to wrap; skin, hide, cloth; to fold |