Where does “witherweight” come from?
witherweight (English) comes from English wither, from Middle English wither, from Old English wiþer, from Proto-West Germanic wiþr, from Proto-Germanic wiþrą, from Proto-Indo-European wī-tero-, from Proto-Indo-European wi — apart, asunder; away from, against.
witherweight (English): A counterbalancing weight; counterweight
Definitions
- A counterbalancing weight; counterweight
Ancestry of “witherweight”, step by step
witherweight traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English wither
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wither | To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack... |
| 2 | Middle English | wither | — |
| 3 | Old English | wiþer | toward, against; again, against; against, in... |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | wiþr | toward, against |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wiþrą | toward, against |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wī-tero- | further apart |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wi | apart, asunder; away from, against |