Where does “eldritch” come from?
eldritch (English) comes from English elritch, from Old English rice, from Proto-West Germanic rīkī, from Proto-Germanic rīkijaz, from Proto-Germanic rīks, from Proto-Celtic rīxs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃rḗǵs, from Proto-Indo-European h₃reǵ- — to straighten, to right oneself; right; just.
eldritch (English): Unearthly, supernatural, eerie
Definitions
- Unearthly, supernatural, eerie
Ancestry of “eldritch”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | elritch | Alternative form of eldritch |
| 2 | Old English | rice | kingdom, empire; authority, dominion; rich |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | rīkī | mighty, powerful; rich; kingdom, realm |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | rīkijaz | kingly, royal, noble; mighty, powerful; rich |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | rīks | king, ruler |
| 6 | Proto-Celtic | rīxs | king |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃rḗǵs | king, ruler |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃reǵ- | to straighten, to right oneself; right; just |