Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “preneed” come from?

preneed (English) comes from English need, from Middle English need, from Old English nēod, from Proto-West Germanic *niudi, from Proto-Indo-European newdʰ-, from Proto-Indo-European new- — new; to nod, assent to.

preneed (English): Arranged before a need arises; A service...

Definitions

  1. Arranged before a need arises; A service...

Ancestry of “preneed”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishneedA requirement for something; something needed;...
2Middle Englishneed—
3Old Englishnēoddesire, eagerness, earnest; desire, longing; need
4Proto-West Germanic*niudi—
5Proto-Indo-Europeannewdʰ-seeking, need
6Proto-Indo-Europeannew-new; to nod, assent to
Every word from Proto-Indo-European new- →