Where does “strength” come from?
Strength derives from Middle English strengthe, Old English strengþu, Proto-West Germanic strangiþu, from Proto-West Germanic strang combined with the Proto-Germanic suffix -iþō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European strengʰ- and ster-.
strength (English): The quality or degree of being strong; The...
Definitions
- The quality or degree of being strong; The...
Ancestry of “strength”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | strengthe | strength; Alternative form of strengthen |
| 2 | Old English | strengþu | physical strength; power to do; force; vigour;... |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | strangiþu | strength |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | strang | severe, strict, rigorous; strong |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | strangaz | tight, strict, straight; strong |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | strengʰ- | to twist; rope, cord |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ster- | sterile, infertile |