Etymology Map
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Blood

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means the red liquid circulating in the body

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
blōþą
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"blood"
of uncertain origin, perhaps 'that which bursts out', related to 'bloom'
2
Stage 2 of 3
blōd
Old English · 700s-1000s
"blood"
'bless' comes from 'blētsian', to mark with blood in a sacrifice
3
Stage 3 of 3
blood
English · 1500s
"blood"
'blue blood' translates Spanish 'sangre azul', a claim of untainted noble descent
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Read the full story

Blood’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: blōþą meant “blood.” Of uncertain origin, perhaps 'that which bursts out', related to 'bloom'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as blōd. 'bless' comes from 'blētsian', to mark with blood in a sacrifice. It reached English by 1500s as blood. 'blue blood' translates Spanish 'sangre azul', a claim of untainted noble descent. Today, blood means the red liquid circulating in the body.