day

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

Day’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: dagaz meant “day.” Despite the look-alike, not related to Latin 'diēs'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as dæg. 'dæges ēage', day's eye, gave 'daisy', the flower that opens at dawn. It reached English by 1500s as day. Most weekday names keep it: Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 'Tīwesdæg', the god Tiw's day. Today, day means a period of 24 hours; the time of daylight.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient dagaz "day", despite the look-alike, not related to Latin 'diēs'.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s dæg "day", 'dæges ēage', day's eye, gave 'daisy', the flower that opens at dawn.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s day "day", most weekday names keep it: Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday from 'Tīwesdæg', the god Tiw's day.