head

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

Head’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: haubudą meant “head.” Often linked to Latin 'caput', as in 'capital'. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as hēafod. Lost its middle consonant to become 'hed' by the 1200s. It reached English by 1500s as head. The 'ea' spelling keeps a trace of the older two-syllable form. Today, head means the upper part of the body containing the brain.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient haubudą "head", often linked to Latin 'caput', as in 'capital'.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s hēafod "head", lost its middle consonant to become 'hed' by the 1200s.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s head "head", the 'ea' spelling keeps a trace of the older two-syllable form.