Where does “whilom” come from?

Whilom comes from Old English hwīlum, from Old English hwīl, from Proto-West Germanic hwīlu, from Proto-Germanic hwīlō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kʷyeh₁-, relating to rest or quiet.

whilom (English): While; Once upon a time, formerly; Former,...

Definitions

  1. While; Once upon a time, formerly; Former,...

Ancestry of “whilom”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishhwīlumsometimes
2Proto-Germanichwīlōtime, period of time, while; period of rest,...
3Proto-Indo-Europeankʷyeh₁-to rest; rest, peace
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷyeh₁- →Every word from Proto-Germanic hwīlō →Every word from Old English hwīlum →
whilom — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer