Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “frith” come from?

Frith comes from Middle English firth, from Proto-Germanic friþōną, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots including prāy-, pérkus, and prēy-, though the original meaning remains uncertain.

frith (English): Peace; security; Sanctuary, asylum; To protect;...

Definitions

  1. Peace; security; Sanctuary, asylum; To protect;...

Ancestry of “frith”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishFirth—
2Scotsfirth—
3Middle Englishfyrth—
4Old Norsefjǫrðrfirth, fjord
5Proto-Norseᚠᛖᚱᚦᚢᛉ—
6Proto-Germanicferþuzinlet, fjord
7Proto-Indo-Europeanpértuscrossing
8Proto-Indo-Europeanper-before, in front; first; to go through
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpr̥tóspassed , crossed

Words derived from “frith”

  • frithstool
  • frithy
  • frithguild
  • frìth-mhèirleach
  • frìth-ghadaiche
  • frìth
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pr̥tós →