Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “stones” come from?

Stones derives from Middle English stone, from Old English stān, from Proto-Indo-European steh₂-, a root meaning to stand or be firm.

stones (English): plural of stone; Testicles; balls; Courage

Definitions

  1. plural of stone; Testicles; balls; Courage

Ancestry of “stones”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstoneA hard earthen substance that can form large...
2Middle EnglishstoneA stone, boulder, or pebble; A solid mass...
3Old Englishstānstone, rock
4Old NorseVeggr—
5Proto-Germanicwajjuzwall
6Proto-Indo-Europeanwh̥₁yús—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanweh₁y-to twist, wind, weave, plait; to wrap, enclose,...

Words derived from “stones”

  • fivestones
  • growstones
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weh₁y- →