Where does “біс” come from?

біс (Ukrainian) comes from Proto-Slavic běsъ, from Proto-Balto-Slavic baiˀsás, from Proto-Indo-European bʰoyh₂-dʰh₁-so-s, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyh₂- — to fear, be afraid; to strike, hit; to hew, cut.

біс (Ukrainian): evil spirit, demon

Definitions

  1. evil spirit, demon

Ancestry of “біс”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Slavicběsъrage, amok → rabies; demon, evil spirit
2Proto-Balto-Slavicbaiˀsásdemon, evil spirit
3Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰoyh₂-dʰh₁-so-s
4Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeyh₂-to fear, be afraid; to strike, hit; to hew, cut

Words derived from “біс

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyh₂-Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰoyh₂-dʰh₁-so-sEvery word from Proto-Balto-Slavic baiˀsás