Where does “wholesome” come from?

Wholesome comes from Middle English holsom, Old English hālsum, and Proto-Germanic hailasamaz, which derived from a root meaning whole or uninjured.

wholesome (English): Promoting good physical health and well-being;...

Definitions

  1. Promoting good physical health and well-being;...

Ancestry of “wholesome”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishholesomeObsolete form of wholesome
2Middle Englishholsomwholesome
3Old Englishhālsum—
4Proto-Germanichailasamazwholesome, sound, healthy
Every word from Proto-Germanic hailasamaz →Every word from Old English hālsum →Every word from Middle English holsom →