Where does “niþinger” come from?

niþinger (Old Swedish) comes from Old Norse níðingr, from Old Norse níð, from Proto-Germanic nīþą, from Proto-Indo-European neyH- — to lead.

niþinger (Old Swedish): shameful dishonorable coward; by extension: general insult

Definitions

  1. shameful dishonorable coward; by extension: general insult

Ancestry of “niþinger”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Norseníðingrhonorless person
2Old Norseníðdefamation; honorless
3Proto-Germanicnīþąhate, envy, malice
4Proto-Indo-EuropeanneyH-to lead
Every word from Proto-Indo-European neyH- →Every word from Proto-Germanic nīþą →Every word from Old Norse níð →