Where does “cena” come from?
cena (Old Polish) comes from Proto-Slavic cěna, from Proto-Balto-Slavic kainā́ˀ, from Proto-Indo-European kʷoynéh₂, from Proto-Indo-European kʷey- — to pay; to avenge.
Ancestry of “cena”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Proto-Slavic | cěna | price; value |
| 2 | Proto-Balto-Slavic | kainā́ˀ | price |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷoynéh₂ | payment; punishment, vengeance |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | kʷey- | to pay; to avenge |