Where does “thanksgiver” come from?

thanksgiver (English) comes from English thanks, from Middle English thanks, from Old English þancas, from Proto-Germanic þankōs, from Proto-Germanic þankaz, from Proto-Indo-European teng- — to think.

thanksgiver (English): One who gives thanks, or acknowledges a kindness

Definitions

  1. One who gives thanks, or acknowledges a kindness

Ancestry of “thanksgiver”, step by step

thanksgiver traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English thanks

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishthanksUsed to express appreciation or gratitude; plural...
2Middle Englishthanks—
3Old Englishþancasthanks
4Proto-Germanicþankōs—
5Proto-Germanicþankazthought; mind; consideration; remembrance;...
6Proto-Indo-Europeanteng-to think

via English giver

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishgiverOne who gives; a donor or contributor
2Middle Englishgevar—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European teng- →Every word from Proto-Germanic þankaz →Every word from Proto-Germanic þankōs →