Where does “ruth” come from?
Ruth derives from Middle English reowthe, from Middle English rewe, from Latin ruta, from Proto-Indo-European reyk-, ultimately related to Proto-Indo-European roots meaning to reach or stretch.
ruth (English): Sorrow for the misery of another; pity,...
Definitions
- Sorrow for the misery of another; pity,...
Ancestry of “ruth”, step by step
ruth traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via Middle English reowthe
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | reowthe | Alternative form of reuþe |
| 2 | Middle English | reuþe | Sadness, misery; despair and despondence; An... |
| 3 | Middle English | rewe | pity, sorrow, rue; sad, sorrowful; merciful |
| 4 | Old English | rǣw | line, row |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | raiwō | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | reyk- | to tear, scratch; streak; to carve, scratch, etch |
via Middle English ruthe
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | ruthe | Alternative form of reuþe |
via Middle English reuthe
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | reuthe | Alternative form of reuþe |