wacke < german Wacke < middle high german wacke
(= large stone) < old high german
wacko
/ waggo
(= gravel, pebble) < (?) old high german wegan (= to move) < proto-germanic *wag-
(= to move about).
wad < middle english wadde
(= small bunch of fibrous, soft material
for padding) < (?) 1. medieval latin wadda or 2. dutch
watten
or 3. middle english wadmal (= coarse woolen cloth) < old norse vaðmal
< (?) vað (= cloth) + mal (= measure).
wade < old english wadan
(= go forward, proceed, move) < proto-germanic
*wadanan.
wafer < middle english wafer
(= thin cake of paste) < anglo-french wafre
/ old french waufre (= honeycomb, wafer) < (?)
frankish *wafel.
waffle < dutch wafel
(= waffle) < middle dutch
/ middle low german wafel < proto-germanic
*wabila-
(= web, honeycomb).
waffle (= to yelp, bark) < provincial waff (= to yelp, bark like a puppy)
< (?) imitative origin.
waft < middle english waft <
(?) middle low german wachten (= to guard) < proto-germanic *waht-.
wag < middle english wag
< (?) [scandinavian source / old english wagian
(= move backwards and forwards)] < proto-germanic *wag-.
wage < middle english wage < anglo-french / old
french wage (= pledge, pay, reward) < frankish *wadja-
< proto-germanic *wadi-.
wagon < middle english wagon
< middle dutch wag(h)en < proto-germanic *wagna-
{> old norse vagn, modern english wain, german Wagen} < I.E. *wogh-no- < *wegh-
(= to go, transport in a vehicle).
waif < middle english waif < anglo-french waif
(= ownerless property, something lost)
< proto-germanic *waif-.
wail < middle english wail < old norse væla
(= to lament) < væ
(= woe).
wain < old english wægn
(= wheeled vehicle, wagon, cart) <
proto-germanic *wagna < I.E. *wogh-no- < *wegh-
(= to go, transport in a vehicle).
wainscot < middle english wainscot
< (?) middle dutch / middle flemish waghenscote
(= superior quality oak wood, board used for paneling) < waghen (= wagon) + scote (= partition, crossbar).
waist < middle english waist
< (?) old english *wæst (= growth) < proto-germanic *wahs-tu-.
wait < middle english wait < anglo-french / old
french waitier (= to watch) <
frankish *wahton < proto-germanic *waht- < I.E. *weg-
(= to be strong, be lively).
waive < middle english waive
< anglo-french weyver
(= to abandon, waive) < proto-germanic
*waif-.
wake (= state of wakefulness)
< old english -wacu / old norse vaka
(= vigil) < I.E. *weg-
(= to be strong, be lively).
wake (= track left by a
moving ship) < (?) middle low german / middle dutch wake
(= hole in the ice) < old norse
vök
/ vaka (= hole in the ice) <
proto-germanic *wakwo.
wale < old english walu
(= ridge, bank) < proto-germanic *walu-.
walk < middle english walk <
a merger of 1. old english wealcan (= to toss, roll, move round)
+ 2. wealcian
(= to roll up, curl) (< proto-germanic *welk-
{> old norse valka, danish valke, middle dutch
walken, german walken}.
walkie-talkie < [1939] walk + talk.
wall < old english w(e)all (= rampart, dike, earthwork)
< latin vallum (= wall, rampart, line of stakes)
< vallus
(= stake) < I.E. *walso- (= a post).
Wallach < german Wallache < old church slavonic Vlachu < old high german wahl (=
foreigner, one speaking a foreign language).
wallet < middle english wallet
(= bag, knapsack) < (?) old
french *walet (= roll, knapsack) <
proto-germanic *wall- (= roll).
Walloon < middle french Wallon
(= foreigner) < germanic
origin.
wallop < middle english wallop
(= to gallop) < (?) old french
*waloper
< frankish *walalaupan
(= to run well) < proto-germanic *hlaupan.
wallow < old english wealwian
(= to roll) < west germanic
*walwon.
Wally < Walter
< old french Waltier
< proto-germanic *waldan (= to rule).
walnut < old english walhnutu
< wealh (= foreign) + hnutu
(= nut).
walrus < dutch walrus
[by influence of dutch walvis (= whale) + ros (= horse)] < scandinavian
source [cf. old norse rosmhvalr (= walrus), rostungr (= walrus)].
Walter < old french Waltier
< proto-germanic *waldan (= to rule).
waltz < german Waltzer < walzen (= to roll, dance) < old high german walzan
(= to turn, roll) < proto-germanic
*walt-.
wan < old english wann
(= dark, dusky, pale, gray).
wand < middle english wand < old norse vondr
(= rod, switch) < proto-germanic
*wend-
(= to turn).
wander < old english wandrian
< west germanic *wundrōjanan
(= to roam about).
wane < old english wanian
(= diminish, decline, fade) < proto-germanic
*wanonan.
wannabe < [1981] want to be.
want < middle english want < old norse vanta
(= to lack, want) < *wanaton < proto-germanic *wanen.
wanton < middle english wan-towen
(= willful) < middle english
wan-
(= wanting, lacking) < old
english wan- < proto-germanic
*wano-
(= lacking).
wap < middle english wap
(= a hit, a blow) < (?) imitative origin.
wapentake < old english wæpengetæc
(= division of a riding) < old
norse vapnatak < vapna,
genitive plural of vapn (= weapon) + tak (= a grasping) < taka (= take, grasp).
war < old english werre
/ wyrre
< old french werre
(= war) < frankish *werra < proto-germanic *werz-a-
< I.E. *wers-(1) (= to confuse, mix up).
warble < middle english warble
< old french werbler
(= to trill) < frankish
*werbilon.
-ward < old english -weard
(= toward) < proto-germanic
*werda-
< I.E. *werto- (= to turn) < *wer-(2) (= to turn,
bend).
ward < old english weardian
(= to keep guard, watch, protect) <
proto-germanic *wardon (= to guard) {> old norse
varða, middle dutch waerden, german warten}.
wardrobe < middle english wardrobe
< old french warderobe / wardereube (= dressing-room) < warder (= to keep, guard) (< proto-germanic *wardon
(= to guard)) + robe (= garment).
ware (= beware) < old english warian
(= to guard against, protect, defend) <
proto-germanic *waro.
ware (= goods for sale) < old english waru
(= article of merchandise, protection, guard) < proto-germanic *waro.
warlock < old english wærloga
(= traitor, liar, enemy) < wær
(= faith, fidelity, agreement) (< proto-germanic *wera-) + source related to leogan
(= to lie).
warm < old english wearm
(= warm) < proto-germanic
*warmaz.
warn < old english warnian
< proto-germanic *waronan.
warp < old english weorpan
(= to throw) < proto-germanic
*werpanan.
warrant < middle english warrant
< old french warant (= defender, surety) < frankish *warand < proto-germanic *war-
(= to warn, guard).
warren < middle english warren
< anglo-french / old french warenne
(= game park, hunting reserve) <
(?) gaulish *varenna (= enclosed area).
wart < old english weart
< proto-germanic *warton-.
was < old english wesan
/ wæs
/ wæron,
first and third person singular past tense of wesan (= to remain) < proto-germanic *wesanan
< I.E. *wes-(3) (= remain, live, dwell).
wash < old english wascan
(= to wash, cleanse) < proto-germanic
*watskan
(= to wash) < I.E. *wed-(1) (= water, wet).
wasp < old english wæps
/ wæsp
(= wasp) < proto-germanic *wabis-.
waste < middle english waste
< anglo-french / old
french waster (= to waste, spoil, ruin) < latin vasto
[inf. vastare] (= lay waste) < vastus (= empty).
watch < old english wæcce
(= a watching, wakefulness) < wæccan (= keep watch) < proto-germanic *wakjan.
water < old
english wæter < proto-germanic
*watr-
{> old norse vatn, dutch water, gothic wato,
old high german wazzar, german
Wasser} < I.E. *wod-or
< *wed-(1) (= water, wet).
Waterloo < flemish Waterloo
< water
(= water) + loo (= sacred wood).
watt < [James] Watt, Scottish engineer [in honor for his work].
wattle < old
english watol (= hurdle, twigs, tiles) < proto-germanic *wadlaz.
wave < middle english waw
< old english wagian (= to move to and fro) < proto-germanic *wag-.
wax < old english weax
(= substance made by bees) < proto-germanic
*wahsam.
wax (= grow bigger or greater)
< old english weaxan (= to increase) < proto-germanic *wahsan.
way < old english weg
(= road, path, course of travel, space) <
proto-germanic *wega- (= course of travel, way) < I.E. *wegh- (= to go, transport in a vehicle).
W.C. < an abbreviation of water-closet.
we < old
english we < proto-germanic
*wejes
{> old norse ver, danish vi, dutch wij, gothic
weis, german wir} < I.E.
*we-
{> old church slavonic ve, hittite wesh, old persian vayam, sanskrit
vayam}.
weak < old english weak < old norse veikr
(= weak) < proto-germanic
*waika-
(= yield).
weal (= well-being)
< old english wela (= wealth) < west germanic *welon-.
weal (= raised mark on skin)
< wale
< old english walu
(= ridge, bank) < proto-germanic *walu-.
weald < old english weald
(= forest, woodland) < wald (= forest) < proto-germanic
*walthuz.
wealth < middle english wealth
< middle english
wele
(= well-being) < old english wela (= wealth) < west germanic *welon-.
wean < middle english wean < old english wenian
(= to accustom, habituate) < proto-germanic *wanjan.
weapon < old english wæpen
< proto-germanic *weipna-
{> old norse vapn, danish vaaben, middle dutch
wapen, german Waffe}.
wear < old english werian
(= to clothe, cover up) < proto-germanic
*wasin-
< I.E. *wos-eyo-
< *wes-(2) (= to clothe) < *eu- (= to dress).
weasel < old english weosule
/ wesle
< proto-germanic *wisulon.
weather < old english weder
(= air, sky, breeze, storm) < proto-germanic
*wedra-
(= wind, weather) {> old norse veðr, dutch weder, german
Wetter} < I.E. *we-dhro-, (= weather) < *we- (= to blow).
weave < old
english wefan < proto-germanic
*weban
{> old norse vefa, dutch weven, german weben} < I.E. *(h)uebh- (= to weave).
web < old english webb
(= woven fabric, woven work, tapestry) <
proto-germanic *wabjam (= fabric, web) < I.E. *(h)uebh- (= to weave).
webster < old english webbestre
(= female weaver) < web
(q.v.) + [suffix] -ster.
wed < old english weddian
(= to pledge oneself, vow, marry) <
proto-germanic *wadja.
wedge < old english wecg
(= a wedge) < proto-germanic
*wagjaz.
wedlock < old english wedlac
(= pledge-giving, marriage vow) < wed
(q.v.) + [suffix] -lac (= actions, proceedings,
practice) [by influence of lock].
Wednesday < old english wodnesdæg
(= Woden’s day) < Woden (= Odin), chief Teutonic god (<
proto-germanic *Wodanaz)
+ dæg
(< proto-germanic *dages- (= day)).
wee < middle english wee < old english wæge
(= weight, unit of weight) < proto-germanic
*wego < I.E. *wegh-
(= to go, transport in a vehicle).
weed < old english weod
(= grass, herb, weed) < proto-germanic
*weud-.
week < old english wucu
/ wice < proto-germanic *wiko(n)-.
weel < old english wæl
(= whirlpool, pool, sea).
weep < old english wepan
(= shed tears, cry, complain) < proto-germanic
*wopjan.
weevil < old english wifel
(= small beetle) < proto-germanic
*webilaz.
weigh < old english wegan
(= find the weight of, measure, carry) < proto-germanic *wegan
< I.E. *wegh-
(= to go, transport in a vehicle).
weir < old english wer
(= dam, fence, enclosure) < proto-germanic
*wer-jon-.
weird < middle english weird
< wierd < old english wyrd
(= fate, fortune, destiny) < proto-germanic
*wurthiz.
welcome < old english wilcuma
(= welcome!) < wilcuma
(= welcome guest) < willa (= pleasure, desire)
+ cuma
(= guest).
welfare < middle english welfare
< old english wel
faran
(= condition of being well) < wel
(< proto-germanic *wel-)
+ faran
(= get along) (< proto-germanic
*faranan
(= go)).
welkin (= sky) < old english wolcen (= cloud, sky, heavens) < proto-germanic *wulk-.
well (= in a satisfactory manner) < old english wel
(= very much, indeed, to be sure) <
proto-germanic *wel- {> old norse vel,
dutch wel, gothic waila, german wohl} < I.E. *wel-(2) (= to wish, will).
well (= to spring, rise) < old english wiellan, causative of weallan
(= to boil, bubble up, rise) < proto-germanic
*wellanan
(= to roll) < I.E. *wel-(3) (= to turn).
Welsh < old english Wielisc
/ Wylisc
/ Welisc
/ Wælisc (= foreign, British,
Welsh, not free) < Wealh
/ Walh
(= Celt, Briton, Welshman) < proto-germanic *Walkhiskaz < celtic source.
welter < middle english welter
< middle dutch
/ middle low german welteren (= to roll) < proto-germanic *waltijan.
wench < middle english wenche
(= girl, young woman) < wenchel (= child, girl, maiden) < old english wencel
< proto-germanic *wankila-.
wend < old english wendan
(= to turn, direct, go) < proto-germanic *wandeja-.
went < middle english went(e)
< wende,
wended,
past tense of wend < old english wendan (= to turn, direct,
go) < proto-germanic *wandeja-.
were < old english wære,
second person singular past tense / wæron, plural past tense of wesan
(= to remain) < proto-germanic
*wesanan
< I.E. *wes-(3) (= remain, live, dwell).
werewolf < old english werewulf
< wer (= man) (< I.E.
*wi-ro-
(= man)) + wulf (= wolf) (< proto-germanic
*wulfaz).
west < old
english west <
proto-germanic *west- {> old norse vestr,
dutch west, german west} < (?) I.E. *wes-
< *wes-pero- (= evening, night) {> latin vesper, ancient greek ‘έσπερος
| hesperos].
wet < old english wæt
(= moist, liquid) < proto-germanic
*wed-
< I.E. *wed-(1) (= water, wet).
wether < old english weðer
(= ram) < proto-germanic
*wethruz.
whale < old english hwæl
(= whale, walrus) < proto-germanic
*hwalaz.
wharf < old english hwearf
(= shore, dam) < proto-germanic
*hwarfaz.
what < old
english hwæt < proto-germanic
pronoun *hwat {> old norse hvat, danish hvad, dutch
wat, german was} < I.E.
*kwod,
neuter of *kwos (= who) < I.E.
*kwo-.
wheat < old english hwæte
< proto-germanic *hwaitjaz.
wheel < old english hweol
/ hweogol
< proto-germanic *hwewlaz.
whelp < old english hwelp
(= whelp, young of the dog) < germanic
source.
when < old english hwænne
/ hwenne
/ hwonne < proto-germanic *hwan-
< *hwa- < I.E. *kwo-.
where < old english hwær
/ hwar
< proto-germanic *hwar
< I.E. *kwo-.
whet < old english hwettan
(= to sharpen) < proto-germanic
*hwatjan.
whether < old
english hwæðer / hweðer (= which of two) < proto-germanic *gihwatharaz
< *khwa- (= who) < I.E.
*kwo-
+ [comparative suffix] *-theraz.
whey < old english hwæg
(= whey) < proto-germanic
*hwaja-.
which < old
english hwilc / hwælc < hwi-lic (= of what form) < proto-germanic *hwa-lik- < *hwi- (= who) (< I.E. *kwo-) + *likan
(= body, form).
while < old english hwile,
accusative of hwil (= space of time) <
proto-germanic *hwilo.
whine < old english hwinan
/ hwinsian
(= to whine) < imitative origin.
whip < middle english wippen
(= flap violently) < proto-germanic *wipjan.
whir < middle english whir
(= fling, hurl) < (?) old norse
hvirfla
< hverfa
(= to turn).
whirl < middle english whirl
< old norse hvirfla (= go round, spin).
whisk < middle english whisk
(= sweeping movement) < (?) old norse visk (= wisp of hay) < proto-germanic *wisk-
(= move quickly).
whiskey < gaelic uisge
beatha (= “water of life”) < old irish uisce
(= water) + bethu (= life).
whisper < old english hwisprian
(= murmur) < proto-germanic
*hwis-.
whistle < old english hwistlian
(= to whistle) < proto-germanic
*hwis-.
whit < middle english na
whit
(= no amount) < old english
nan
wiht
< nan
(= no) + wiht (= person, amount).
white < old english hwit
(= bright, clear, fair) < proto-germanic
*hweit-
{> old norse hvitr, dutch wit, gothic hveits,
german weiß} < I.E.
*kweid-o <
*kweit-
(= white, to shine).
whither < old
english hwider < proto-germanic
*hwithre- < *hwi- (= who) (< I.E.
*kwo-)
+ [suffix] thre-.
whitlow < middle english
whitlow <
whitflaw
< (?) dutch vijt
/ low german fit (= abscess) + flaw
(< old norse flaga).
Whitsunday < old
english Hwita Sunnandæg (= white Sunday) [(?) so called
from the white baptismal robes of newly baptized on this day] < hwit
(= bright, clear, fair) + sunna(n)dæg (= day of the
sun) (< sunnan (< sunne (= sun)) + dæg
(= day)).
whittle < middle english whittel
(= knife) < thwittle (= knife) <
old english þwitan (= to cut) < proto-germanic *thwit-.
who < old
english hwa < proto-germanic
*hwas
< I.E. *kwo-.
whole < old english hal
(= entire, uninjured, safe, healthy) <
proto-germanic *haila- (= undamaged) < I.E. *kailo-
(= whole, uninjured).
whoop < middle english houpen
< old french h(o)uper
(= cry out, shout) < imitative
origin.
whore < middle english hore < old english hore
(= prostitute) < proto-germanic
*horan-.
whorl < middle english whorl
< (?) middle english whirl < old norse hvirfla
(= go round, spin).
why < old english hwi
< hwæt
< proto-germanic *hwi
< I.E. *kwi-,
locative of *kwo-.
wi-fi <
[1999] wireless (< wire
+ -less)
+ (?) hi-fi (< high-fidelity).
wick < wueke < old english weoce
(= wick of a lamp or candle) < west
germanic *weukon.
wicked < middle english wicked
< wick (= bad, wicked, false) < old english wicca
(= wizard) < wiccian (= to practice witchcraft).
wicker < middle english wicker
(= wickerwork) < proto-germanic *wik-.
wicket < middle english wicket
< anglo-french wiket
/ old french wiket (= small door, wicket gate) < (?) proto-germanic *wik-.
wide < old english wid
(= broad, long) < proto-germanic
*widaz.
widget < [1920] american english widget
< (?) gadget < (?) french
gâchette
(= catch-piece of a mechanism), a diminutive of gâche (= staple of a lock).
widow < old english widewe
/ wuduwe < proto-germanic *widuwo
< I.E. *widhewo.
wield < old english w(i)eldan / wealdan (= tame, subdue)
< proto-germanic *waldan (= to rule).
wife < middle english wif
/ wyf < old english wif
(= woman, lady, wife) < proto-germanic *wifa-
{> old norse vif, swedish viv, danish viv, dutch
wijf, german Weib}.
wiggle < middle english wiggle
< (?) middle dutch / middle low german wigelen
< wiegen
(= to rock, wag) < wiege
(= cradle) < proto-germanic
*wig-.
wight < old english wiht
(= creature, person, something) < proto-germanic
*wihti-.
wigwam < algonquian wikewam
(= a dwelling).
wiki < [2002] WikiWikiWeb [1995] < hawaiian wikiwiki (= fast, swift) + english
web.
wild < old english wilde
(= uncultivated, untamed, undomesticated)
< proto-germanic *wildia- {> old norse villr,
dutch wild, gothic wilþeis, german wild} <
(?) I.E. *welt- (= woodlands, wild).
Wilhelm < german
Wilhelm < old high german Willahelm
< willio
(= will) (< proto-germanic
*willjan)
+ helma
(= helmet) (< proto-germanic *helmaz (= protective covering)).
will < old
english *willan / wyllan (= to wish, desire) < proto-germanic *willjan
{> old norse vilja, dutch willen, german
wollen}.
William < old french Willaume
< Guillaume
< old high german willio
(= will) (< proto-germanic
*willjan)
+ helma
(= helmet) (< proto-germanic *helmaz (= protective covering)).
willies < (?) [dialectal] woollies
(= nervous uneasiness).
willow < old english welig
< proto-germanic *wel-.
wilt < (?) welk (= to wilt) < (?)
middle dutch / middle low german welken (= to wither) < proto-germanic *welk-.
wimple < old english wimpel < proto-germanic *wimpilaz.
win < middle english win <
a fusion of [old english winnan (= to labor, struggle for, strive,
fight) + old english gewinnan (= to gain by struggling, conquer,
obtain)] < proto-germanic *wennanan (= to seek to gain) < I.E. *wen-(1) (= to desire, strive for).
wince < middle english wincen
/ winchen
(= to recoil suddenly) < anglo-french *wenchir
/ old french *wenchier (= to turn aside, avoid) <
frankish *wenkjan < proto-germanic *wankjan.
winch < middle english winch
< old english wince
(= winch, pulley) < proto-germanic
*winkja- < I.E. *weng-
(= to bend, curve).
wind < old
english wind < proto-germanic
*winda-
{> old norse vindr, dutch wind, gothic winds, german Wind} < I.E. *we-nt-o‑
< *we- (= to blow).
window < middle english window
[meaning “wind-eye”, an unglazed hole in the roof] < old norse vindauga < vindr (= wind) (< proto-germanic
*winda-)
+ auga
(= eye) (< I.E. *okw- (= to see)).
wine < old english win
(= wine) < proto-germanic
*winam
{> old norse vin, dutch wijn, old high german
win, german Wein} < latin vinum (= wine) < I.E. *uoin-a-
(= wine) {> ancient greek
οίνος | oenos, albanian vênë}.
Winfred < old english Winfrið
(= friend of peace) < wine (= friend) (< proto-germanic
*wennanan
(= to seek to gain)) + friðu (= peace) (< I.E.
*pri-
(= to love)).
wing < middle english wenge
< old norse vængr
(= wing) < (?) proto-germanic *we-ingjaz < I.E.
*we-
(= blow).
wink < old english wincian
(= to blink) < proto-germanic
*wink-.
winsome < old english wynsum
(= agreeable, pleasant) < wynn
(= pleasure, delight) (< proto-germanic *wunjo-)
+ old english -sum (= tending to, causing) (< I.E. *sem-(1) (= one, together with).
winter < old english winter
< proto-germanic *wintruz
(= winter) {> old norse vetr, swedish vinter, danish
vinter, dutch winter, gothic wintrus, german winter} < I.E. *wend-
< *wed-(1) (= water, wet).
wipe < old english wipian
(= to wipe, cleanse) < proto-germanic
*wipjan
(= to move back and forth).
wire < old english wir
< proto-germanic *wira-
< I.E. *wei-
(= to turn, twist).
wise < old english wis
(= learned, prudent, experienced) <
proto-germanic *wissaz < I.E. *weid- (= to see).
wish < old english wyscan
(= to wish) < proto-germanic
*wunsk-.
wit < old english wit(t)
/ gewit
(= intellect, sense, knowledge, consciousness) < proto-germanic *wit- < I.E. *weid- (= to see).
witch < old english wicce,
female of wicca (= sorcerer, wizard)
< wiccian (= to practice witchcraft).
with < old english wið
(= against, toward, near) < proto-germanic
*withro-
(= against).
withdraw < middle english withdraw
(= to take back) < with (= away) + drawen (= to draw).
wither < middle english wydderen
(= dry up, shrivel) < wederen (= to expose to weather)
< weder
(= air, sky, breeze, storm) < proto-germanic
*wedra-
(= wind, weather).
wizard < middle english wizard
< middle english wys
(= wise) (< old english
wis
(= learned, prudent, experienced) <
proto-germanic *wissaz < I.E. *weid- (= to see)) + [suffix] -ard.
wizen < old english wisnian
/ weosnian
(= to wither, dry up) < proto-germanic
*wisnon.
woad < old english wad
< proto-germanic *waidin.
wobble < wabble
< (?) low german wabbeln (= to wobble) < proto-germanic *wab-
(= to move back and forth).
wold < old english w(e)ald (= forest) < proto-germanic
*walthuz.
wolf < old english wulf
< proto-germanic *wulfaz
{> old norse ulfr, dutch wolf, gothic wulfs,
german wolf} < I.E.
*wlkwo-
(= wolf) {> albanian ul’k, old church slavonic vluku, russian
volcica, lithuanian vilkas, old persian Varkana-, avestan
vehrka-, sanskrit vrkas, (?) latin lupus, (?) ancient greek λύκος | lykos).
woman < old english wim(m)an < wifman (= woman) < wif (= woman, lady, wife) (< proto-germanic *wifa-)
+ man
(= human being).
womb < old english wamb
/ womb
(= belly, bowels, heart, uterus) <
proto-germanic *wambo {> old norse vomb,
dutch wam, gothic wamba, german Wamme}.
wonder < old english wundor
(= marvelous thing, miracle) < proto-germanic
*wundran
{> old norse undr, dutch
wonder, german wunder}.
wont < middle english wont
< old english wunod, past participle of wunian
(= to dwell, exist, be accustomed) <
proto-germanic *wunen (= to be content, to rejoice).
wood < old english wudu
< widu
(= tree, forest, wood [as substance of tree]) < proto-germanic
*widu- {> old norse
viðr, Swedish ved, danish ved,
old high german witu} <
I.E. *widhu- (= tree, wood).
woof (= texture, fabric)
< old english owef < o- (= on) + wefan (= to weave).
woofer (= loudspeaker for bass notes) < [1935] imitative origin.
wool < old english wull
< proto-germanic *wulno
{> old norse ull, dutch
wol, gothic wulla, german wolle} < I.E. *wele-(1) (= wool)
{> latin vellus, lana, ancient greek ληνός | lēnos, avestan varena, sanskrit
urna}.
word < old english word
(= speech, sentence, statement, news, word)
< proto-germanic *wurda- {> old norse orð,
dutch woord, gothic waurd, german wort) < I.E. *were-(3) (= speak).
work < old english w(e)orc (= action, proceeding, business)
< proto-germanic *werka-
(= work) {> old norse verk, dutch werk, german
Werk) < I.E. *werg-o-
< *werg- (= to do).
world < old english worold /
woruld
(= human existence, mankind, humanity) <
proto-germanic *weraldi- {> old norse verold,
dutch wereld, german Welt} < *wer (= man) + *ald
(= age).
worm < old english wurm
< wyrm
(= serpent, snake, earthworm) < proto-germanic *wurmiz
{> old norse ormr, dutch worm, gothic waurms,
german wurm} < I.E.
*wrmi-
(= worm) {> latin vermis, old russian vermie, lithuanian
varmas} < *wer-(2) (= to turn,
bend).
worry < middle english wirien
(= to slay) < old english wyrgan (= to strangle) < proto-germanic *wurgjan.
worse < old english wiersa
/ wyrsa
< proto-germanic *wers-izon-
< comparative of I.E. *wers-(1) (= to confuse,
mix up).
worship < old english worðscip
/ weorðscipe
/ wurðscip
(= dignity, glory, honor) < weorð
(= worthy) + -scipe (= state, condition of being).
worst < old english wyrresta < proto-germanic *wers-ista-
< superlative of I.E. *wers-(1) (= to confuse,
mix up).
worsted < middle english worsted
< Worstead (< old
english Wurðestede), town in England [where this cloth originally was made].
wort < old english wyrt
(= root, herb, plant) < proto-germanic
*wurtiz.
-worth < old english worþ (= enclosed place, homestead).
worth < old english weorþ
(= significant, valuable, honorable) <
proto-germanic *wertha- (= toward, opposite).
wound < old english wund
(= hurt, injury) < proto-germanic
*wuntho.
wrack < middle english wrack
(= wrecked ship) < (?) middle
dutch wrak (= wreck) < proto-germanic
*wrakaz- < *wreg- (= to push, drive).
wrangle < middle english wrangle
< low german wrangeln
(= to dispute, to wrestle) < proto-germanic
*wrang- < *wrengh- < *wergh-
(= to turn).
wrap < middle english wrappen
(= to wind, cover, bind up, fold
up).
wrath < old english wræððu
(= anger) < wrað (= angry) (< proto-germanic *wraith-)
+ -þu (<
proto-germanic -itho).
wreak < old english wrecan
(= to drive out, avenge) < proto-germanic
*wrekanan.
wreath < old english wriða
(= fillet, bandage, band) < proto-germanic
*writh-.
wreck < middle english wreck
< anglo-french wrec < proto-germanic *wrekan.
wrench < old english wrencan
(= to twist) < proto-germanic
*wrankjan.
wrest < old english wræstan
(= to twist, wrench) < proto-germanic
*wraistjan
< *wreik- (= to turn).
wretch < old english wrecca
(= wretch, stranger) < proto-germanic
*wrakjon
(= pursuer).
wriggle < middle english wriggle
< middle low german
wrigglen
(= to wriggle) < proto-germanic
*wrig- < *wreik- (= to turn).
-wright < old english wrihta / wryhta (= worker) < wyhrta (= maker) < wyrcan (= to work).
wring < old english wringan
(= press, strain, twist) < proto-germanic
*wreng-
< *wrengh- < *wergh-
(= to turn).
wrinkle < middle english wrinkle
< (?) old english gewrinclod, past participle of gewrinclian
(= to wind, crease) < [prefix] ge-
+ -wrinclian
(= to wind) (< proto-germanic *wrankjan < *werg- (= to turn)).
writ < old english writ
(= something written) < writan
(= to score, outline) < proto-germanic
*writan
(= tear, scratch)
write < old english writan
(= to score, outline) < proto-germanic
*writan
(= tear, scratch) {> old norse rita, old high german rizan,
german reißen}.
writhe < old english wriðan
(= to twist, bend) < proto-germanic *writhanan.
wrong < old english wrong
(= twisted, crooked) < old norse rangr
< *vrangr (= crooked, wry, wrong) < proto-germanic *wrang-.
wroth < old english wrað
(= angry) < proto-germanic
*wraith-.
wry < wry
(= to contort, to twist) < old
english wrigian (= to turn, bend, move) < proto-germanic *wrig-.
wurst < german Wurst < old high german wurst
(= sausage) < proto-germanic
*wursti- (=
to mix up).
www < [1990] world-wide
web.
