Where does “sway” come from?
Sway derives from Middle English sweyen, from Old Norse sveigja, from Proto-Germanic swaigijaną, a verb of bending or turning motion.
sway (English): The act of swaying; a swaying motion; a swing or...
Definitions
- The act of swaying; a swaying motion; a swing or...
Ancestry of “sway”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | swear | To take an oath, to promise; To use offensive,... |
| 2 | Middle English | sware | Alternative form of square; A response to a query... |
| 3 | Old English | swaru | an oath, vow |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | swarō | a solemn statement or affirmation; oath; vow |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | swer- | to ache; to fester; wound; injury |