English word arm comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥-ti-, Proto-Indo-European *erm-, Proto-Indo-European *arəm-, Proto-Indo-European *h₁ar-mo-, Proto-Indo-European *h₂erH-, Proto-Indo-European *h₂erHmos, Proto-Indo-European *h₁erm-, and later Proto-Germanic *armaz (Pitiful, pitiable. Poor, miserable.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word arm. Currently you are viewing the etymology of arm with the meaning: (Adjective) (UK, _, dialectal, chiefly, Scotland) Poor; lacking in riches or wealth.. (UK, _, dialectal, chiefly, Scotland) To be pitied; pitiful; wretched.(UK, _, dialectal, chiefly, Scotland) Poor; lacking in riches or wealth.. (UK, _, dialectal, chiefly, Scotland) To be pitied; pitiful; wretched
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *h₂r̥-ti- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *erm- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | poor, ill |
| *arəm- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | arm |
| *h₁ar-mo- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | arm |
| *h₂erH- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | to be sparse |
| *h₂erHmos | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *h₁erm- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *h₂(e)rmos | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | fitting |
| *h₂ermos | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *armaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Pitiful, pitiable. Poor, miserable. |
| *armaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | (anatomy) arm. |
| *armaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Pitiful, pitiable. Poor, miserable (anatomy) arm. |
| earm | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | Arm. |
| earm | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | Poor, miserable. |
| earm | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | Arm Poor, miserable. |
| arm | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | Miserable, wretched. Poor Arm. |
| arm | English (eng) | (UK, _, dialectal, chiefly, Scotland) Poor; lacking in riches or wealth.. (UK, _, dialectal, chiefly, Scotland) To be pitied; pitiful; wretched. |