Where does “wis” come from?
Wis derives from Middle English iwis, from Proto-Germanic wīsaz meaning "known," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European weyd- meaning "to see" or "know."
wis (English): Certainly, surely; Really, truly; Indeed
Definitions
- Certainly, surely; Really, truly; Indeed
Ancestry of “wis”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | wis | certain, sure |
| 2 | Middle English | iwis | certain, sure |
| 3 | Old English | ġewiss | certain, sure; certainly, indeed |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | gawiss | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | gawissaz | certain, sure; known |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | weyd- | to see |