Where does “frain” come from?
frain (English) comes from Middle English frainen, from Old Norse fregna, from Proto-Germanic frehnaną, from Proto-Indo-European preḱ-, from Proto-Indo-European pr̥ḱneh₂.
frain (English): To ask, inquire
Definitions
- To ask, inquire
Ancestry of “frain”, step by step
frain traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English frainen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | frainen | to ask , to inquire; to ask |
| 2 | Old Norse | fregna | to hear, to be informed of, to learn |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | frehnaną | to ask, inquire |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | preḱ- | to ask |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥ḱneh₂ | — |
via Middle English freinen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | freinen | Alternative spelling of frainen; to ask |