drink
/drɪŋk/
verb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*drinkaną — to swallow, drink
Overview
Meaning Now
- To swallow liquid for nourishment or hydration.
- To consume alcoholic beverages, especially to excess.
Literal older meaning
to swallow or absorb
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
drincan
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The word traces back to ancient Germanic roots related to drawing or sucking liquid. In Old English, it functioned as a strong verb with a specific pattern of vowel gradation (ablaut) that persists in modern English 'drink-drank-drunk'.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*dʰreg-
“to draw, suck, swallow”
- Proto-Germanic
*drinkaną
“to swallow”
- Old English
drincan
“to swallow liquid”
Strong verb, Class III
- Middle English
drinken
“to swallow or imbibe”
Connections
Word parts
drink
root
swallow liquid
Related across languages
Dutch
drinken
to drink
German
trinken
to drink
Old Norse
drekka
to drink
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.