Where does “ai” come from?

ai (Middle English) comes from Old Norse ei, from Proto-Germanic aiwaz, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyu-, from Proto-Indo-European h₂ey- — vital force, life, age, eternity; day, morning.

ai (Middle English): Alternative form of þei

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of þei

Ancestry of “ai”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Norseeiever; always, eternal
2Proto-Germanicaiwazlong time, age, eternity
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eyu-vitality; eternal; vital force, life, long life,...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂ey-vital force, life, age, eternity; day, morning

Words derived from “ai”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂ey- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyu- →Every word from Proto-Germanic aiwaz →
ai — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer