Where does “ight” come from?
Eight comes from Middle English eiȝt, from Old English ǣht, from Proto-Germanic aihtiz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyḱ-, meaning to increase or grow.
ight (English): possession
Ancestry of “ight”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | iht | — |
| 2 | Old English | ǣht | owndom; possessions, property, riches |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | aihtiz | possessions, property |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | *aiganą | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eh₂óyḱe | to possess, to own |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eyḱ- | to possess, to own |