Where does “will” come from?
Will derives from Middle English wollen, Old English wyllen, and Proto-Germanic wiljô, tracing back through Proto-Indo-European welh₁- meaning to choose or desire.
will (English): To wish, desire; To wish or desire ; to intend;...
Definitions
- To wish, desire; To wish or desire ; to intend;...
Ancestry of “will”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | wullen | Alternative form of wollen |
| 2 | Old English | wyllan | Alternative form of willan; will; to will, be... |
| 3 | Old English | willan | to want; to intend; to be willing |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | willjan | to want |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wiljaną | to want |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wélyoyt | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wélyeti | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | welh₁- | to choose; to want |
Words derived from “will”