Where does “might” come from?

Might comes from Middle English might, from Old English miht, ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European megʰ-, a root meaning to be able or have power.

might (English): Power, strength, force or influence held by a...

Definitions

  1. Power, strength, force or influence held by a...

Ancestry of “might”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishmeahtepast subjunctive of maġan
2Old Englishmaġancan, to be able
3Proto-West Germanicmaganto be able, may
4Proto-Germanicmaganąto be able, may
5Proto-Indo-European(me)mógʰeto have power, to be able to
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmegʰ-to be able

Words derived from “might”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European megʰ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European (me)mógʰe →Every word from Proto-Germanic maganą →