believe etymology

Etymology:

The word "believe" originates from the Old English word "geliefan," which is derived from the Proto-Germanic root "*galauf-," meaning "to be agreeable, pleasing."

Meaning:

To believe means to accept or hold as true something that is not necessarily proven or supported by evidence. It involves an element of trust, confidence, or conviction.

Origin:

  • Indo-European root: "*gleubh-," meaning "to trust, believe"
  • Proto-Germanic: "galauf-"
  • Old English: "geliefan"
  • Middle English: "beleven"
  • Modern English: "believe"

Semantic Evolution:

The word "believe" has evolved semantically over time:

  • Old English: Originally meant "to approve, be agreeable"
  • Middle English: Shifted towards "trust, have faith"
  • Modern English: Retains the sense of trust while emphasizing the lack of absolute certainty

Related Words:

  • Belief
  • Believer
  • Believable
  • Unbelief
  • Credulous

believe relate terms

  • belief

    Etymology Old English belief Proto West Germanic bilaiba Proto Germanic bilaiban Proto

  • faith

    Etymology The word faith comes from the Latin word fides which means trust confid

  • believable

    Etymology Belief Old English geleafa from the Proto Germanic ga laubon meaning

  • believe

    Etymology The word believe originates from the Old English word geliefan which is d

  • make believe

    Etymology The word makebelieve is a compound word from the words make and believe

  • think

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • consider

    Etymology Definition The study of the origin and history of words Origin Greek etumos

  • credo

    Etymology The word credo comes from the Latin word credere which means to believe

  • credulity

    Etymology From Latin credulitas from credere to believe tas noun suffix Cogna

  • incroyable

    Etymology From Old French incroyable meaning incredible unbelievable Ultimately de

  • repute

    Etymology The word repute comes from the Old French word reputer which itself deriv

  • swallow

    Etymology Old English swelgan to swallow Proto Germanic swalgan Proto Indo Europe

  • anticipate

    Etymology Latin anticipare from ante before capere to take Literally meaning

  • except

    Etymology Latin excipere meaning to take out receive or catch Meaning A word o