Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “heedlessness” come from?

Heedlessness derives from English heed combined with the Old English suffix -nes, from Proto-Germanic hōdijaną meaning to seize or grasp, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kadʰ-.

heedlessness (English): The state or character of being heedless

Definitions

  1. The state or character of being heedless

Ancestry of “heedlessness”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishheedlessUnaware, without noticing; inattentive; careless
2EnglishheedCareful attention; To guard, protect; To mind; to...
3Middle Englishhēden—
4Old Englishhēdanto heed, take care, observe, attend, guard, take...
5Old Norsehéðanhence
6Old Norsehérhere
7Proto-Germanichē₂rhere, in this place
8Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
9Middle Englishkyt—
10Germankitt—
11Old High Germankuti—
12Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
13Proto-Germanickweduzresin
14Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
15Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →