Where does “werewolf” come from?
Werewolf derives from Middle English werwolf, from Old English werwulf, combining Old English wer with Old English wulf, tracing to Proto-Indo-European wiHrós meaning man.
werewolf (English): A person who is transformed or can transform into...
Definitions
- A person who is transformed or can transform into...
Ancestry of “werewolf”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | werwolf | — |
| 2 | Old English | werewulf | werewolf |
| 3 | Old English | wer | man; husband; hero, warrior |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wer | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wēraz | true; reliable; friendly; kind |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wiHrós | man; husband; warrior, hero |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | weyh₁- | to chase, pursue; to suppress, persecute |