Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “herein” come from?

Herein derives from Middle English hereinne, combining here (Old English hǣr) and inne, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots indicating position or location.

herein (English): Within this content, context, or thing

Definitions

  1. Within this content, context, or thing

Ancestry of “herein”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishhereIn, on, or at this place; To this place; used in...
2Middle Englishhera hair; hair; pelt, hide, animal skin
3Old Englishhērat this place
4Proto-West Germanic*hēr—
5Proto-Germanichē₂rhere, in this place
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
7Middle Englishkyt—
8Germankitt—
9Old High Germankuti—
10Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
11Proto-Germanickweduzresin
12Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
13Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “herein”

  • hereinafter
  • hereinbefore
  • hereinabove
  • hereinbelow
  • hereinunder
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →