Where does “withy” come from?
withy (English) comes from English withe, from Middle English withe, from Old English wiþþe, from Proto-Germanic wiþjǭ, from Proto-Indo-European weyt-, from Proto-Indo-European wéy-, from Proto-Indo-European éǵh₂ — I.
withy (English): An osier (Salix viminalis), a type of willow
Definitions
- An osier (Salix viminalis), a type of willow
Ancestry of “withy”, step by step
withy traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English withe
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | withe | A flexible, slender twig or shoot, especially... |
| 2 | Middle English | withe | — |
| 3 | Old English | wiþþe | tie, band |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | wiþjǭ | cord, rope, thong |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | weyt- | that which winds or bends, branch, switch;... |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wéy- | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | éǵh₂ | I |
via Old English wīþiġ
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old English | wīþiġ | willow |