Where does “freedom” come from?
Freedom derives from Middle English fredom, Old English frēodōm, Proto-West Germanic frijadōm built from frī, Proto-Germanic frijaz, and Proto-Indo-European preyH-, originally meaning to love or favor.
freedom (English): The state of being free, of not being imprisoned...
Definitions
- The state of being free, of not being imprisoned...
Ancestry of “freedom”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fredom | freedom, liberty; nationhood, independence; free... |
| 2 | Old English | frēodōm | freedom, state of free-will, charter,... |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | frijadōm | freedom |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | frī | free |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | frijaz | free |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | priHós | dear, beloved; happy, free |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | preyH- | to love, to please |