side
/saɪd/
noun
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*sīdō — flank, side
Overview
Meaning Now
- A position to the left or right of an object, place, or central line.
- A particular aspect or viewpoint of a complex subject or situation.
- One of the surfaces of an object, especially the one that is not the top, bottom, front, or back.
Literal older meaning
the flank or lateral part of a body or object
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
sīde
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The word originates from the Germanic concept of a long or broad surface, related to Old Norse 'síða' meaning 'side of the body'. It has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning throughout the history of the English language.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*sīdō
“flank”
- Old English
sīde
“side, flank, direction”
- Middle English
side
“side, part, portion”
- Modern English
side
“side, flank, facet”
Connections
Word parts
side
root
lateral part
Related across languages
Old Norse
síða
side, flank
German
Seite
side, page
Dutch
zijde
side
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.