Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “wage” come from?

wage (Middle English) comes from Anglo-Norman wage, from Old Norse vágr, from Proto-Germanic wēgaz, from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- — to bring; to transport.

wage (Middle English): A wage; earnings; Money reserved for the payment...

Definitions

  1. A wage; earnings; Money reserved for the payment...

Ancestry of “wage”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Anglo-Normanwagewave; Alternative form of gage
2Old Norsevágrocean, sea; inlet, bay
3Proto-Germanicwēgazwave; sea
4Proto-Indo-Europeanweǵʰ-to bring; to transport

Words derived from “wage”

  • wage
  • nonwage
  • Wageman
  • wageworker
  • wageless
  • wageman
  • wagelessness
  • wage-worthy
  • wag
  • vage
Every word from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- →