Etymology Explorer › Old English

Where does “behofian” come from?

behofian (Old English) comes from Old English hōfian, from Proto-Germanic hufōną, from Proto-Germanic hufą, from Proto-Indo-European keup-, from Proto-Indo-European keu- — bend; vault, hole; to shine; light; bright.

behofian (Old English): to need; to be necessary; to need

Definitions

  1. to need; to be necessary; to need

Ancestry of “behofian”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishhōfian—
2Proto-Germanichufōnąto house, lodge
3Proto-Germanichufąhill, elevated place; house, hall, estate
4Proto-Indo-Europeankeup-to arch, bend, buckle; a hollow
5Proto-Indo-Europeankeu-bend; vault, hole; to shine; light; bright

Words derived from “behofian”

  • behove
  • behoveth
  • behoven
  • bihoven
Every word from Proto-Indo-European keu- →