Where does “thank” come from?

Thank comes from Middle English thank, Old English þanc, Proto-Germanic þankōną, and Proto-Indo-European teng-, ultimately from a root meaning to think or perceive.

thank (English): An expression of appreciation; a thought; To...

Definitions

  1. An expression of appreciation; a thought; To...

Ancestry of “thank”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishthank
2Old Englishþancthanks; thought
3Proto-Germanicþankazthought; mind; consideration; remembrance;...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanteng-to think

Words derived from “thank

Every word from Proto-Indo-European teng-Every word from Proto-Germanic þankazEvery word from Old English þanc
thank — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer