English word mother comes from Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr, and later Proto-Germanic *mōdēr (Mother.)
You can also see our other etymologies for the English word mother. Currently you are viewing the etymology of mother with the meaning: (Noun Verb) (figuratively) A female ancestor.. (figuratively) A source or origin.. (figuratively) Any elderly woman, especially within a particular community.. (figuratively) Any person or entity which [...](figuratively) A female ancestor.. (figuratively) A source or origin.. (figuratively) Any elderly woman, especially within a particular community.. (figuratively) Any person or entity which [...]
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *-tḗr | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Derives agent nouns from verbs, denoting someone or something whose role or purpose it is to perform the verb's action. |
| *mh₂tros | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *mōdēr | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Mother. |
| mōdor | Old English (ang) | |
| modor | Old English (ang) | Mother. |
| moder | Middle English (enm) | Mother. |
| mother | English (eng) | (figuratively) A female ancestor.. (figuratively) A source or origin.. (figuratively) Any elderly woman, especially within a particular community.. (figuratively) Any person or entity which performs mothering.. (obsolete) Hysterical passion; hysteria.. (when followed by a surname) A title of respect for one's mother-in-law.. A (human) female who (a) parents a child (b) gives birth to a baby [...] |