Where does “behōfian” come from?

behōfian (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.

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

Definitions

  1. to need; to be necessary; to need

Ancestry of “behōfian”, step by step

behōfian traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Old English hōfian

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

via Proto-Germanic bihōfōną

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Germanicbihōfōnąadvantage, behoof, profit; need
2Proto-Indo-Europeankap-to seize, hold

Words derived from “behōfian”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European keu- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European keup- →Every word from Proto-Germanic hufą →
behōfian — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer