sell etymology

Etymology

The word "sell" comes from the Middle English word "sellen," which in turn derives from the Old English word "sellan." The Old English word is believed to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "*saljaną," which means "to give" or "to hand over."

Meaning

The word "sell" has several meanings:

  • To transfer ownership of a good or service in exchange for money or another form of payment.
  • To offer for sale or distribution.
  • To persuade someone to accept or agree to something.
  • To betray or inform on someone.

Origin

The word "sell" originates from the Proto-Indo-European root "*sel-," which means "to give" or "to hand over." This root is also found in other Indo-European languages, such as Greek and Latin.

In the Germanic languages, the root "sel-" evolved into "sal-" or "*sell-." The Old English word "sellan" is derived from this Proto-Germanic form.

The word "sell" entered the English language through the Middle English word "sellen." The Middle English word is first attested in the 13th century. The word has been in continuous use in English ever since.

sell relate terms

  • borrow

    Etymology Old English borgian meaning to take or give as security Proto Germanic bu

  • sell

    Etymology The word sell comes from the Middle English word sellen which in turn deri

  • oversell

    Etymology Prefix over meaning too much beyond Verb sell Meaning To sell mor

  • over

    Etymology The word over derives from the Middle English over which in turn stems fr

  • sell

    Etymology The word sell comes from the Middle English word sellen which in turn deri

  • sellout

    Etymology Sell out is a verb phrase that originated in the early 1800s in American En

  • betray

    Etymology The word betray comes from the Old French word betreier which in turn come

  • addict

    Etymology The word addict is derived from the Latin word addicere which means to a

  • venal

    Etymology The word venal derives from the Latin word venalis meaning for sale or

  • monopoly

    Etymology and Meaning The word monopoly is derived from two Greek words Mono meanin

  • franchise

    Etymology The word franchise is derived from the Old French word franchise which in

  • remainder

    Etymology The word remainder derives from the Latin word remaneō which means to r

  • market

    Etymology The word market is derived from the Late Latin word mercatus meaning trad

  • change

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It traces words