earn etymology

Etymology

• Middle English: ernen, from Old English: earnian, "to get, obtain, or acquire"
• Old English: earnian, of Germanic origin, related to Old High German: arnōn, "to gather, harvest, cut"

Meaning

• To receive a sum of money as compensation for work performed or time spent
• To deserve or become entitled to
• To gain or acquire, especially through effort or achievement

Origin

The word "earn" ultimately derives from the Indo-European root *ar-, meaning "to plow, work, earn." This root is also found in other words related to work and acquisition, such as "harvest," "salary," and "artistry."

In Old English, the verb "earnian" had a broad meaning, encompassing both the act of obtaining something through effort or achievement and the act of receiving compensation for work done. This dual meaning has been preserved in Modern English, where "earn" can refer to both the process of earning income and the income itself.

earn relate terms

• earner

  Etymology Old English earnung Proto Germanic azniz or azni Proto Indo European h₃e

• earn

  Etymology Middle English ernen from Old English earnian to get obtain or acquire

• earnings

  Etymology and Origin The word earnings has its roots in Old English earne verb

• earn

  Etymology Middle English ernen from Old English earnian to get obtain or acquire

• gain

  Etymology Anglo French gaignerie profit Middle French gaignier to earn Old French ga

• clear

  Etymology Originates from Latin clarus meaning bright clear or shining Mea

• acquire

  Etymology From Latin acquīrō from ad to quaerō seek from Proto Indo Europ

• erne

  Etymology Old English earn noun and verb meaning eagle or to earn Proto Germa

• deserve

  Etymology The word deserve comes from the Old French word deservir which is derived

• emeritus

  Etymology The word emeritus comes from Latin where it means who has served It is de

• profit

  Etymology The word profit comes from the Latin word profectus meaning progress or

• make

  Etymology The study of the origin and history of words Meaning Etymology is the branch

• realize

  Etymology Realize comes from the Medieval Latin verb realizare meaning to make real