give
/ɡɪv/
verb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*gebaną — to give
Overview
Meaning Now
- To freely transfer the possession of something to someone.
- To provide or offer something for consideration or consumption.
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
giefan
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The verb 'give' is a quintessential example of semantic shift, evolving from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰabh- ('to grasp' or 'take') into a word meaning its semantic opposite. This is likely due to the cultural practice of reciprocal exchange, where taking and giving were viewed as two sides of the same social transaction.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*gʰabh-
“to grasp, take, or receive”
- Proto-Germanic
*gebaną
“to give”
Shifted from meaning 'take' to 'give'
- Old English
giefan
“to give, bestow”
- Middle English
given
“to give, grant”
Influenced by Old Norse 'gefja'
Connections
Word parts
give
root
to offer or transfer
Related across languages
German
geben
to give
Dutch
geven
to give
Old Norse
gefja
to give
Related words
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Related to give
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.