Where does “new” come from?
New derives from Middle English newe, Old English nefa, Proto-Germanic niwjaz, and Proto-Indo-European new-, meaning recently made or come into being.
new (English): Recently made, or created; Additional; recently...
Definitions
- Recently made, or created; Additional; recently...
Ancestry of “new”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | newe | new; The new moon; Alternative form of neve |
| 2 | Old English | nīewe | new |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | niwi | new |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | *niwjaz | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | néwyos | Alternative form of *néwos; new |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | néwos | new |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | new- | new; to nod, assent to |