week etymology

Etymology:

• Old English: wice
• Proto-Germanic: *wikon
• Proto-Indo-European: *wig-

Meaning and Origin:

The word "week" originally meant "change" or "alternation." It comes from the Old English word "wice," which referred to the cycle of seven days that repeated itself.

The Proto-Germanic word *wikon likely originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *wig-, which also means "to change" or "to turn." This root is related to words such as "vice" (alternating between two positions) and "vacillate" (to change one's mind).

Historical Usage:

• In ancient Babylonia, a "week" consisted of seven days and was based on the seven celestial bodies known to them: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
• In Roman times, a "week" consisted of eight days and was called "hebdomas."
• The concept of a seven-day week was later adopted by Judaism and Christianity, where it became associated with the creation story and the Sabbath.
• The word "week" eventually spread to other languages and cultures, becoming the standard unit of time for a seven-day cycle.

Additional Notes:

• The word "weekend" is a relatively recent compound, first used in the 19th century. It refers to the two-day period at the end of the week that is typically free from work or school.
• The term "weekday" refers to the days of the week other than Saturday and Sunday, which are typically considered the weekend.

week relate terms

• weekday

  Etymology The word weekday originates from the Old English word wicedæg which itsel

• week

  Etymology Old English wice Proto Germanic wikon Proto Indo European wig Meaning

• weekend

  Etymology Old English wucanendeg meaning days of rest Derived from wucu meaning

• week

  Etymology Old English wice Proto Germanic wikon Proto Indo European wig Meaning

• Wednesday

  Etymology The name Wednesday comes from Old English Wōdnesdæg which means Wōden s

• cliff hanger

  Etymology The word cliffhanger originated in the late 19th century from the practice of

• heavy

  Etymology Middle English hevy from Old English hefig heavy weighty Proto Germanic

• Sunday

  Etymology The word Sunday has its origins in Old English Sunnandæg c 700 CE Sunn

• hump

  Etymology Middle English humpe from Old English hump a curved back Germanic origi

• Thursday

  Etymology The word Thursday comes from the Old English word Þūnresdæg which means

• month

  Etymology The word month originates from the Proto Indo European root men meaning

• period

  Etymology The word period comes from the Middle English word periode which itself