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
- Peace; security; Sanctuary, asylum; To protect;...
Ancestry of “frith”, step by step
frith traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Firth
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Firth | OS grid ref HY3514 (approx |
| 2 | Scots | firth | — |
| 3 | Middle English | fyrth | — |
| 4 | Old Norse | fjǫrðr | firth, fjord |
| 5 | Proto-Norse | ᚠᛖᚱᚦᚢᛉ | — |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | ferþuz | inlet, fjord |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pértus | crossing |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |
via Middle English friþ
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | friþ | Alternative form of frith |
| 2 | Old English | friþ | peace; refuge, sanctuary; splendid, beautiful |
| 3 | West Germanic | *friþu | — |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | friþuz | peace, tranquility; sanctuary, refuge |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | priHós | dear, beloved; happy, free |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | preyH- | to love, to please |