Etymology Explorer › Greek

Where does “Α” come from?

Α (Greek) comes from Greek άι, from Greek άε, from Ancient Greek ἄγε, from Ancient Greek ἄγω, from Proto-Hellenic ágō, from Proto-Indo-European h₂éǵeti, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- — to drive.

Α (Greek): The number one; E, initialism of ανατολή;...

Definitions

  1. The number one; E, initialism of ανατολή;...

Ancestry of “Α”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Greekάιgo!; ow, ouch, argh; Alternative form of Αϊ
2GreekάεAlternative form of άι; Alternative form of αϊ
3Ancient Greekἄγεsecond-person singular present active imperative...
4Ancient GreekἄγωTo lead, fetch, bring along , take with; To carry...
5Proto-Hellenicágōto lead, to guide
6Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂éǵetito be driving
7Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eǵ-to drive
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eǵ- →