Where does “shrewdie” come from?
shrewdie (English) comes from English shrewd, from Middle English schrewed, from Middle English schrewe, from Old English sċrēawa, from Proto-Germanic skrawwaz, from Proto-Indo-European sḱer- — to caw, crow.
shrewdie (English): A shrewd or cunning person
Definitions
- A shrewd or cunning person
Ancestry of “shrewdie”, step by step
shrewdie traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English shrewd
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | shrewd | Showing clever resourcefulness in practical... |
| 2 | Middle English | schrewed | depraved; wicked |
| 3 | Middle English | schrewe | barn mouse, shrew, evil person |
| 4 | Old English | sċrēawa | shrew |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | skrawwaz | thin; meagre; frail |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | sḱer- | to caw, crow |
via English ie
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | ie | Alternative form of i.e |