Where does “writless” come from?
writless (English) comes from English writ, from Middle English writ, from Old English writ, from Proto-Germanic writą, from Proto-Indo-European wrey-, from Proto-Indo-European wer- — to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel.
writless (English): Without a writ
Ancestry of “writless”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | writ | A written order, issued by a court, ordering... |
| 2 | Middle English | writ | — |
| 3 | Old English | writ | writ |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | writą | fissure; crevice; groove; engraving; writing;... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | wrey- | to rip, tear; to turn; wrap; bind |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wer- | to burn; to cover, heed, notice; squirrel |