Where does “willian” come from?
willian (Old English) comes from Proto-West Germanic willjan, from Proto-Germanic wiljaną, from Proto-Indo-European wélyoyt, from Proto-Indo-European wélyeti, from Proto-Indo-European welh₁- — to choose; to want.
willian (Old English): to will
Definitions
- to will
Ancestry of “willian”, step by step
willian traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via Proto-West Germanic willjan
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proto-West Germanic | willjan | to want |
| 2 | Proto-Germanic | wiljaną | to want |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | wélyoyt | — |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | wélyeti | — |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | welh₁- | to choose; to want |
via Proto-West Germanic willjōn
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proto-West Germanic | willjōn | to will, desire |