Where does “valuable” come from?
Valuable comes from Middle English valuable, from Old French valuable, from Latin valabilis (capable of being strong), derived from Latin valere (to be strong), from Proto-Italic walēō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂welh₁-.
valuable (English): Having a great value; Estimable; deserving...
Definitions
- Having a great value; Estimable; deserving...
Ancestry of “valuable”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | value | The quality that renders something desirable or... |
| 2 | Middle English | valew | — |
| 3 | Old French | value | — |
| 4 | Old French | valoir | to have value; to be worth |
| 5 | Latin | valeō | to have strength, influence, power; to avail |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | walēō | to be strong |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂wl̥h₁éh₁yeti | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂welh₁- | to rule; strong, powerful; hair; wool |