Where does “old” come from?

old (German Low German) comes from Middle Low German ôlt, from Proto-Germanic aldaz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eltós, from Proto-Indo-European h₂él- — to grow, nourish.

old (German Low German): old

Definitions

  1. old

Ancestry of “old”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Low Germanôltold
2Proto-Germanicaldazold, grown up
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eltós—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂él-to grow, nourish
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂él- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eltós →Every word from Proto-Germanic aldaz →
old — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer