Where does “unfriend” come from?
unfriend (English) comes from English Friend, from Middle English frend, from Old English frēond, from Proto-Germanic frijōndz, from Proto-Indo-European prēy- — to like, love; like, love.
unfriend (English): One who is not a friend; an enemy; To sever as...
Definitions
- One who is not a friend; an enemy; To sever as...
Ancestry of “unfriend”, step by step
unfriend traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Friend
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Friend | A Quaker; a member of the Society of Friends;... |
| 2 | Middle English | frend | A friend or compatriot; a close associate; A... |
| 3 | Old English | frēond | friend, friendly; friend, relative, lover |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | frijōndz | friend, loved one |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | prēy- | to like, love; like, love |
via Middle English unfreend
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | unfreend | Alternative form of onfrend |