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

  1. estimation, regard, reputation

Ancestry of “aught”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishǣhtowndom; possessions, property, riches
2Proto-Germanicaihtizpossessions, property
3Proto-Germanic*aiganą—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eh₂óyḱeto possess, to own
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eyḱ-to possess, to own

Words derived from “aught”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyḱ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eh₂óyḱe →Every word from Proto-Germanic *aiganą →
aught — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer