arm

Where does the word "arm" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic armaz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Arm’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: armaz meant “arm.” Cognate with Latin 'armus', shoulder. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as earm. German 'Arm' is identical. It reached English by 1500s as arm. 'arms', weapons, came separately from Latin 'arma' through French. Today, arm means the upper limb of the human body.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient armaz "arm", cognate with Latin 'armus', shoulder.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s earm "arm", German 'Arm' is identical.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s arm "arm", 'arms', weapons, came separately from Latin 'arma' through French.