Where does “workfellow” come from?

workfellow (English) comes from English fellow, from Middle English felawe, from Old English fēolaga, from Old Norse félagi, from Old Norse félag, from Old Norse fé, from Proto-Germanic fehu, from Proto-Indo-European péḱu — to pluck; livestock; wealth.

workfellow (English): One engaged in the same work with another; a...

Definitions

  1. One engaged in the same work with another; a...

Ancestry of “workfellow”, step by step

workfellow traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English fellow

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishfellowA colleague or partner; A companion; a comrade; A...
2Middle EnglishfelaweA partner, friend, or colleague; one linked with...
3Old Englishfēolagacompanion, partner, colleague
4Old Norsefélagione with whom one has joined one's property;...
5Old Norsefélagfellowship, partnership
6Old Norsecattle; livestock; property, money
7Proto-Germanicfehulivestock, cattle; property; name of the F-rune
8Proto-Indo-Europeanpéḱulivestock
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpeḱ-to pluck; livestock; wealth

via English work

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englishwork"Employment."; "Effort."; Sustained effort to...
2Middle Englishwerkwork
3Old Englishweorcwork, in various senses, including
4Proto-West Germanicwerkwork
5Proto-Germanicwerkąwork
6Proto-Indo-Europeanwérǵomwork
7Proto-Indo-Europeanwerǵ-to make
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peḱ-
workfellow — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer