eye

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

Eye’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: augō meant “eye.” Cognate with Latin 'oculus' and Greek 'ōps'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as ēage. Its plural 'ēagan' gave the Middle English plural 'eyen'. It reached English by 1500s as eye. 'eyen' gave way to 'eyes' in the 1500s. Today, eye means the organ of sight.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient augō "eye", cognate with Latin 'oculus' and Greek 'ōps'.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s ēage "eye", its plural 'ēagan' gave the Middle English plural 'eyen'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s eye "eye", 'eyen' gave way to 'eyes' in the 1500s.