hearth
/hɑːrθ/
noun
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*herthō — fireplace, hearth
Overview
Meaning Now
- The floor of a fireplace, typically extending into a room.
- The home or the hearthstone as a symbol of domestic life and family comfort.
Literal older meaning
a floor made of stone or brick
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
heorþ
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
In ancient Germanic culture, the hearth was the central point of the home, both practically for cooking and warmth, and symbolically, as it was considered the location of the family's protective spirits or ancestors. To leave one's hearth was a significant act, often signifying travel or exile.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*herthō
“fireplace”
- Old English
heorþ
“fireplace, hearth”
- Middle English
herth
“fireplace, base of a fire”
- Modern English
hearth
“floor of a fireplace or home life”
Connections
Word parts
hearth
root
fireplace
Related across languages
Old High German
herd
fireplace
Old Norse
hjörð
hearth
Explore next
Related to hearth
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.