sing
/sɪŋ/
verb
Origin
Proto-Indo-European
*sengwh- — to sing, to recite
Overview
Meaning Now
- To utter words or sounds with musical modulations of the voice.
- To produce melodious or harmonious sounds.
- To celebrate or praise something in song or verse.
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
singan
Earliest period
Old English period
Journey
The verb traces back to the Germanic strong verb system, evidenced by the vowel gradation seen in sing, sang, sung, which reflects the inherited Proto-Indo-European ablaut pattern.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*sengwanan
“to sing”
- Old English
singan
“to sing, chant”
Strong verb, class III
- Middle English
singen
“to sing”
- Modern English
sing
“to sing”
Connections
Word parts
sing
root
to produce musical vocal sounds
Related across languages
German
singen
to sing
Dutch
zingen
to sing
Old Norse
syngva
to sing
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.