Where does “therefor” come from?
Therefor comes from Middle English for, from Middle English þeir, from Proto-Germanic þar, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European per-, a root meaning "forward" or "through."
therefor (English): Therefore, for that or this reason or cause; For...
Definitions
- Therefore, for that or this reason or cause; For...
Ancestry of “therefor”, step by step
therefor traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English for
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | for | Because, as, since; Towards; in the direction of;... |
| 2 | Middle English | for | for |
| 3 | Old English | fōr | journey; going, course, journey |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | furi | for; before; forward |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | furi | for, before; before, forward |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | preh₂- | before, in front |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |