Where does “friend” come from?
Friend comes from Middle English freend, from Old English frēond, from Proto-Germanic frijōndz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European preyH- meaning to love or be fond of.
friend (English): A person, typically someone other than a family...
Definitions
- A person, typically someone other than a family...
Ancestry of “friend”, step by step
friend traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English freend
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | freend | Alternative form of frend |
| 2 | Old English | frēond | friend, friendly; friend, relative, lover |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | frijōndz | friend, loved one |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | prēy- | to like, love; like, love |
via Middle English frend
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | frend | A friend or compatriot; a close associate; A... |