Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “han” come from?

Han comes from Middle English haven, from Old English habban, from Proto-Germanic habjaną, from Proto-Indo-European keh₂p-, meaning to grasp or seize.

han (English): plural simple present of have

Definitions

  1. plural simple present of have

Ancestry of “han”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishhanAlternative form of haven - "Piers Plowman"
2Middle Englishhavento have
3Old Englishhabbanto have, to possess; have
4Proto-West Germanichabbjanto have; to lift
5Proto-Germanichabjanąto have, to hold; to lift, heave
6Proto-Indo-Europeankh₂pyé-—
7Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂p-to seize, grab; to seize; take up; lift; to take,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂p- →