Where does “aught” come from?
aught (Middle English) comes from Old English ǣht, from Proto-Germanic aihtiz, from Proto-Germanic *aiganą, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₂óyḱe, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyḱ- — to possess, to own.
aught (Middle English): estimation, regard, reputation
Definitions
- estimation, regard, reputation
Ancestry of “aught”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Old English | ǣht | owndom; possessions, property, riches |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | aihtiz | possessions, property |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | *aiganą | — |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eh₂óyḱe | to possess, to own |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eyḱ- | to possess, to own |
Words derived from “aught”