Middle English word forstanden comes from Proto-Germanic *standaną, Proto-Indo-European *dgʷhey-, Proto-Indo-European *bʰowHéyeti, Proto-Indo-European *per (Around. Through.), Proto-Indo-European *pró (Toward, leading to.), Proto-Germanic *far-
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *standaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| *dgʷhey- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *bʰowHéyeti | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | |
| *per | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Around. Through. |
| *pró | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Toward, leading to. |
| *far- | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | |
| standan | Old English (ang) | To stand. |
| *pro- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | Toward, forward. |
| *dwīnaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To dwindle, to disappear. |
| *frastandaną | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | To oppose. To understand. |
| forstandan | Old English (ang) | To be as good as, stand as the same or equivalent of.. To be good for, avail, profit.. To stand against; gainstand, withstand, hinder, stop (someone).. To stand for, defend; shield, help, benefit.. To understand. |
| forstanden | Middle English (enm) |