Where does “are” come from?
are (Scots) comes from Middle English are, from Old English ār, from Proto-West Germanic aiʀu, from Proto-Germanic aizō, from Proto-Indo-European h₂oys-éh₂, from Proto-Indo-European h₂eys- — to wish; to request.
are (Scots): grace; mercy
Ancestry of “are”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Middle English | are | Alternative form of here; Alternative form of... |
| 2 | Old English | ār | honour, help, pardon; honor, worth, dignity,... |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | aiʀu | honour; respect, reverence |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | aizō | fear; reverence; honour |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂oys-éh₂ | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eys- | to wish; to request |